Insect bites and stings

Ants

Many ants can cause a painful bite or sting.

Have I been bitten or stung?

If an ant bites you, it may cause:

• severe burning
• swelling
• redness
• occasionally blisters.

The blisters may get itchy. If they do, don't break them, they might get infected. If they do get infected or the pain persists, see your doctor.

How to treat bites and stings

• Wash the area with soap and water and apply an antiseptic, if available
• Apply an icepack to reduce local pain and swelling
• Use pain relief if needed
• Use an antihistamine to reduce swelling, redness and itch

If you think you've been bitten by a fire ant the treatment is the same. You can find out more about how to recognise fire ants on the Business Queensland website.

Call us on 13 11 26 or see your doctor if you have severe pain that doesn't go away with painkillers or if you develop an infection.

Bees and wasps

If a bee or wasp stings someone, they may cause a severe allergic reaction. If they collapse or have trouble breathing, call Triple Zero (000) straight away.

Have I been stung?

If a bee or wasp stings you, you may develop pain, swelling and redness in the area. The area may also feel itchy and hot. If a bee stings you, there may be a stinger still in your skin. Wasps don’t leave their stinger behind and may sting you multiple times.

How to treat stings

• Gently remove the stinger if there is one
• Wash the area with soap and water and apply antiseptic, if available
• Apply an icepack to reduce local pain and swelling
• Use pain relief
• Use an antihistamine to reduce swelling, redness and itch

Call us on 13 11 26 or see your doctor if you have severe pain that doesn't go away with painkillers or develop an infection.

Caterpillars

Some caterpillars shed hairs and can sting you if the hairs get stuck in your skin. Often these hairs are brittle and can break away above your skin surface. If the hairs get into your eye, they can cause injury.

Have I been stung?

If a caterpillar stings you, it may cause pain in the area, itchiness and inflamed skin.

How to treat stings

• Use tweezers to remove visible hairs
• Remove fine hairs by applying and removing adhesive tape over the area, but don’t scratch or rub it as the hairs may go in deeper
• Wash the area with soap and water and apply antiseptic, if available
• Apply an icepack to reduce local pain and swelling
• Use pain relief
• Use an antihistamine to reduce swelling, redness and itch

If you have caterpillar hairs in your eye, see your doctor immediately.

Call us on 13 11 26 or see your doctor if you have severe pain that doesn't go away with painkillers or develop an infection.

Scorpions, centipedes and millipedes

Australian scorpions, centipedes, and millipedes aren’t as dangerous as some of their overseas relatives.

Have I been bitten or stung?

If a scorpion stings you, it may cause severe burning pain for a few hours.

If a centipede bites you, it will feel very painful.

If a millipede squirts you with venom, it may cause blistering, redness, swelling, and staining of your skin.

How to treat stings

• Wash the area with soap and water and apply antiseptic, if available
• Apply an icepack to reduce local pain and swelling
• Use pain relief
• Use an antihistamine to reduce swelling, redness and itch

Call us on 13 11 26 or see your doctor if you have severe pain that doesn't go away with painkillers or develop an infection.

Prevent insect bites and stings

You can help prevent bites and stings by:

• mowing the lawn and clearing the rubbish
• teaching children to never touch insects
• making sure you and your children wear appropriate shoes to avoid bites and stings
• getting a professional to remove any nests.