The Most Common Bug Bites To Get In The Summer
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors. But spending a lot of time outside usually comes with bug bites. It can be disconcerting to find an itchy or painful bite on your body, but most are harmless and will go away in a few days. Here are some of the most common bites to keep an eye out for.
Mosquito bites are one of the most common bug bites in the summer. These bugs thrive in environments close to humans and breed in standing water (via Healthline). That means lakes, pools, birdbaths, and ponds are all popular places for mosquitos to hang out. Female mosquitoes need blood for reproduction, so they bite humans in order to access this bodily fluid.
Mosquito bites usually begin as a puffy welt that turns into a hard, red bump after a few minutes. These bites are usually very itchy but most go away in a few days. Few people have severe reactions to mosquito bites, but contact your doctor if you develop aches or a fever after being bitten. Anti-itch medications and ice packs can help reduce itchiness until the bite goes away on its own.
Mosquitos aren't the only bugs that bite in the summer
Ticks are another common summertime bug, especially in the United States. They usually reside in trees, bushes, and other foliage. Tick bites can be hard to diagnose for a couple of reasons. First, these bites don't always come with symptoms like itching or pain (via Everyday Health). Second, ticks usually bite people on parts of the body that are hard to see, like the scalp, armpit, or groin.
Ticks also latch onto humans and can stay attached for up to 10 days. Most people discover tick bites by finding the tick itself. Ticks can be removed with tweezers. Tick bites should go away on their own after a few days, but you should visit a doctor if yours doesn't subside or you experience any flu-like symptoms. Ticks can carry a variety of diseases that can be transmitted to humans.
Spider bites are also common in the summer. The look and feel of each bite will vary depending on the type of spider that bit you. Many spiders are harmless to humans and their bites will only cause swelling and redness for a few days (via Mayo Clinic). However, if you notice any abnormal skin reactions or you experience other symptoms like a fever, headache, or stomach pain, contact your doctor right away. Some spiders are venomous and may require medical care.