Ask an Expert

Q. I woke up and noticed something that looks like some kind of an insect bite. What should I do?

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

  • Chest tightness, difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • History of severe allergic reaction to another insect bite
  • Feeling faint or losing consciousness
  • Increased sweating or paleness of skin after the bite or sting

Seek Emergency Care NOW by dialing Campus Safety 303-871-3000

Do you have any of these symptoms?

  • Sudden onset of hives, rash, itching, or swelling in areas other than the sting site
  • Muscle stiffness, abdominal pain, and restlessness
  • Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping
  • Multiple bites or stings
  • Signs of infections such as fever, red streaks or drainage from the site in addition to redness and swelling
  • Severe pain
  • Bee sting in the mouth

Seek medical care within 2-4 hours by calling the Health Center at 303-871-2205, or if after-hours call the same number but follow the prompts to the After-Hours Dr. number.

Do you have these symptoms?

  • Fever, headache, chills or sweating
  • Unusual color or peeling of skin at or near the site.
  • Increasing redness/swelling at the site> 48 hours

Seek medical care within 24 hours

Do you have these symptoms?

  • Persistent discomfort, itching, redness, swelling, or rash
  • No Tetanus immunization in the last 10 years

Follow Self-Care Instructions but call the Health Center if there is need for a Tetanus immunization.

Self Care Instructions

  • Gently remove stinger, if present, by scraping site until completely removed - do not squeeze.
  • Apply "After Bite" product (available at drug store), or baking soda paste to the site for 10 minutes to help draw out the toxin.
  • Wash the area with mild soap and water.
  • There may be initial swelling at the site. Apply cold compresses or ice packs the first 24 hours, then warm soaks as needed for comfort..
  • Apply 1% Hydrocortisone cream to the site to help decrease itching.
  • Take your usual pain reliever (acetaminophen, ibuprofen) for discomfort and follow instructions on the label.
  • Take over-the-counter antihistamine for itching, rash, or hives (like Benedryl or Chlor-trimeton) following instructions on the label.
  • Observe for signs of allergic reaction, increased rash, swelling in other areas of the body, difficulty breathing, throat swelling.
  • Watch for signs of infection: increased pain, redness, swelling, warmth, red streaks, drainage, fever.