The stars at night are big and bright (and so are the bug bites!) deep in the heart of Texas. Summer means more outdoor activities! It also means more mosquito bites, fire ant stings, and itchy rashes. While most bug bites in children are mild, some may require a visit to our kids urgent care. Here’s what Texas parents should know about bug bites and when to take your child into our urgent care pediatrics for medical care.
Common Insect Bites in Texas
Mosquitoes
Cause small, red, itchy bumps. Treat with cold compresses or anti-itch creams. Visit our kids urgent care if swelling worsens or your child develops a fever.
Fire Ants
Bites may sting and turn into white pustules. Watch for allergic reactions like facial swelling, trouble breathing, or widespread hives.
Ticks
If you find a tick, remove it with tweezers and clean the area. See a provider if your child has a fever, rash, or flu-like symptoms in the days after.
Spiders
Most are harmless, but bites from a brown recluse or black widow can be serious. If your child has pain, fever, or the bite becomes an open sore, seek our urgent care pediatrics immediately.
Home Treatment Tips
Clean the bite with soap and water. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. For bites on hands, soaking in cool water helps. Use hydrocortisone cream for itching—but check with your doctor first, especially for young children. For pain, acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help—always follow dosing advice.
When to Visit Pediatric Urgent Care
Bring your child to Little Spurs if they have:
- A bite that is red, swollen, or draining pus
- Fever or body aches after a bite
- A bite from a tick or venomous spider
- Signs of an allergic reaction like swelling or difficulty breathing
Don’t let insect bites ruin your summer fun, stay safe and have a great summer! Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care is here to help! Walk in or check in online at one of our many locations.
