An insect bite is usually obvious from the symptoms. Tell your GP if you know that you were exposed to a particular type of insect.
Your GP may look for the following symptoms in order to confirm your diagnosis.
Irritation
Irritation is usually a constant symptom. Avoid rubbing or scratching the affected area because it can make the irritation worse and may lead to infection.
Papular urticaria
Papular urticaria is a number of very itchy red lumps (papules) that develop on or near the area of the bite. They can also develop fluid-filled blisters that may crust over if scratched. Papules can persist for up to two weeks.
Papular urticaria is particularly common in children. It usually affects children who:
- are two to seven years of age
- have a history of atopic dermatitis, a condition that causes inflammation of the skin and often runs in families
Papular urticaria is caused by being very sensitive to insect bites.
Bullous reaction
Bullous reactions are where fluid-filled blisters develop on your skin. They are particularly common in children and often occur on the lower legs.
Fever
A fever (high temperature) may occur if there are numerous bites, or if there is a severe local reaction. A fever is usually 38C (100.4F) or over.
