Insect bites and stings

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Insect bites and stings
Classification and external resources
Aedes aegypti biting human.jpg
Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, biting
ICD-10 T14.1, X23-X25, W57
ICD-9 919.4, 989.5, E905.3, E905.5, E906.4
MedlinePlus 000033
MeSH D007299



Signs and symptoms of insect stings[edit]

Low-magnification micrograph showing wedge-shaped perivascular inflammation (superficial dermal perivascular lymphoeosinophilic infiltrate), the histomorphologic appearance of an insect bite (H&E stain).


The left side of the image is showing the temperature increase caused by an insect bite after about 28 hours.

Characteristics of feeding bites of insects and other arthropods[edit]

Feeding bites have characteristic patterns and symptoms, a function of the feeding habits of the offending pest and the chemistry of its saliva.

Pest Preferred body part Felt at time of bite Reaction
mosquitoes exposed appendages often Low raised welt, itches several hours.
midges and no-see-ums exposed appendages usually Itches several hours.
fleas prefer ankles and bare feet usually May make red itchy welt; several days. Later bites are less severe.
biting flies (Tabanidae) any exposed skin painful and immediate Painful welt, several hours.
bed bugs appendages, neck, exposed skin usually not Low red itchy welts, usually several together resembling rash, slow to develop and can last weeks.
lice pubic area or scalp usually not Infested area intensely itchy, with red welts at bite sites.
larval ticks Anywhere on body, but prefer covered skin, crevices. Usually not; may be scratched off before they are seen. Intensely itchy red welts lasting over a week.
adult ticks covered skin, crevices, entire body usually not Itchy welt, several days. May transmit diseases

Microscopic appearance[edit]

The histomorphologic appearance of insect bites is usually characterized by a wedge-shaped superficial dermal perivascular infiltrate consisting of abundant lymphocytes and scattered eosinophils. This appearance is non-specific, i.e. it may be seen in a number of conditions including:[3]

See also[edit]


  1. ^ Allen, Arthur C. (March 1948). "Persistent "Insect Bites" (Dermal Eosinophilic Granulomas) Simulating Lymphoblastomas, Histiocytoses, and Squamous Cell Carcinomas". Am J Pathol. 24 (2): 367–387. PMC 1942711. PMID 18904647. 
  2. ^ Goddard, Jerome (2002). Physician's guide to arthropods of medical importance. Boca Raton: CRC Press. p. 14. ISBN 0-8493-1387-2. 
  3. ^ Alsaad, KO.; Ghazarian, D. (Dec 2005). "My approach to superficial inflammatory dermatoses.". J Clin Pathol 58 (12): 1233–41. doi:10.1136/jcp.2005.027151. PMC 1770784. PMID 16311340. 

External links[edit]