Cutaneous lesion due to insect bite

Very low urgency
Very common-

An inflammatory condition of the skin caused by the body's local inflammatory response to irritants or pathogens that enter the body through an insect bite.

The most common symptoms are local pain, redness, swelling and local heat.

The diagnosis is made clinically by interview and physical examination of the affected area. In some cases, a blood or pus culture may be taken to test for the causative organism.

The aim of treatment is to reduce inflammation and treat any infection. This includes local cooling, anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroid cream and antibiotics if there is an infection.

Bibliographic references
  • Infecciones bacterianas de la piel: Celulitis. A. Damian Dhar. 11-2013.
  • Salgado Ordóñez F, Arroyo Nieto A, Lozano Serrano AB, Hidalgo Conde A, Verdugo Carballeda J; Sociedad Andaluza de Enfermedades Infecciosas (SAEI). Skin and soft tissue infections. Med Clin (Barc). 2009 Oct 17;133(14):552-64.
  • Bermejo A, Clara L, D´Atri GM, Desse J, de Vedia L, Garelli G, et al. Consenso SADI-SAM-SADCACCVE. Guía para el manejo racional de las infecciones de piel y partes blandas – Parte I. Rev Panam Infectol 2009;11(3):49-65.
  • Stevens DL, Bisno AL, Chambers HF, Dellinger EP, Goldstein EJ, Gorbach SL, et al. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft tissue infections: 2014 update by the infectious diseases society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2014 Jul 15; 59(2):147-59.
  • Hakkarainen TW, Kopari NM, Pham TN, Evans HL. Necrotizing soft tissue infections: Review and current concepts in treatment, systems of care, and outcomes. Curr Probl Surg. 2014; 51(8): 344–62.
  • Chira S, Miller LG. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common identified cause of cellulitis:a systematic review. Epidemiol Infect. 2010;138(3):
  • 313-317.
  • Gunderson CG, Martinello RA. A systematic review of bacteremias in cellulitis and erysipelas. J Infect. 2012;64(2):148-155. 
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Symptoms

    Skin changes in the bitten area


    Reddened, tense and shiny skin


    Reddened skin


    Swelling


    Fever / Feel very hot

Symptoms to watch out for

High fever (39 ºC or more)
Reduction in the level of consciousness
Symptom persistence for more than two weeks after the initial treatment

Self-care

Consume over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatories.
Apply local cold in the area of the lesion 3 times a day to reduce inflammation.
Do not take antibiotics without medical advice.