Bites from insects that feed on your blood (eg mosquitoes) usually result in itchy spots or lumps that don't normally need any treatment, and clear up within a day or so. The same usually applies for insect stings.
Bites of mosquitoes, harvest mites (also called chiggers), fleas, and bedbugs usually cause itchy, red bumps. The size of the swelling can vary from a dot to a centimeter (half inch). The larger size does not mean that your child is allergic to the insect bite. Mosquito bites near the eye usually cause massive swelling for 2 days.
Sometimes bites and stings can cause allergic reactions. This happens if you are allergic to the insect's saliva (for a bite) or venom (for a sting). These allergic reactions are usually around the area of the bite or sting. This is called a localised reaction.
Clues that a bite is a mosquito bite are itchiness, a central raised dot in the swelling, presence of the bite on a surface not covered by clothing, summertime, and the child's being an infant (because an infant can't protect himself). Some mosquito bites in sensitive children form hard lumps that last for months. In contrast to mosquitoes, fleas and bedbugs don't fly; therefore, they crawl under clothing to nibble. Flea bites often turn into little blisters in young children.
Occasionally, the effects of the allergic reaction can cause other symptoms, such as fever, joint pain, vomiting and headaches.
Bites of horseflies, deerflies, gnats, fire ants, harvester ants, blister beetles, and centipedes usually cause a painful, red bump. Within a few hours, fire ant bites change to blisters or pimples.
Rarely, a bite or sting can cause a dangerous allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis, so it's important to know what to do if it happens.
