Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Healthwatch, we're talking about bug bites. Most bites and stings are relatively minor, but doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center say complications can develop.
It's normal for an insect bite to itch and be red and swollen, but there may be a problem if the bite becomes sore or tender.
Dr. Robin Carder, a UT Southwestern dermatologist, says that could be a sign that the bite has become infected. Other signs of infection include draining pus, redness that spreads beyond the bite itself and the condition of the bite getting worse instead of better with time. If these symptoms are present, the bite needs medical attention.
Next: Some common kinds of bug bites and what to do about them.
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August 2005
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