Pedi Center Urgent Care is an extended-hours pediatric urgent care center that has been serving Kern County's children for over 30 years. Our staff takes care of children with minor illnesses and injuries, as well as perform school and sports physicals. The Pedi Center is kid-friendly with shorter wait times compared to local emergency rooms.
It happens to all of us: you’re enjoying a relaxing day by the lake when – “Ouch!” You feel a sharp stinging sensation on your leg, followed by intense itching and a swollen lump. Bugs and their bites are a part of life, so it’s good to know which types of bugs cause which bites, how to treat a bug bite, and when to call your pediatrician or seek emergency help.
The most common types of bug bites are from mosquitos, flies, ants and spiders, and they can happen indoors and outdoors. However, there are plenty of other bugs that can present a nuisance with their bites – the American Academy of Pediatrics has compiled a handy list of them and how to identify each.
Most bites, whether they’re itchy or not, will cause a red, swollen bump at the bite location. Encourage your child not to scratch at the bite; this can cause more irritation and can even lead to the bite getting infected. If the bite is itchy, try a cold compress for a while – a cold, wet cloth works well. This is often enough to help reduce the swelling and calm the itching. There are also over the counter solutions you can try, like steroid creams and allergy medications with antihistamines.
Wash the area and cover the bite with a bandage to keep dirt and germs out, and also create a barrier to prevent your child from scratching the bite.
If the area starts to get very red and swollen with pain and itching that isn’t responding to first aid, or if you notice that the redness is spreading, call your child’s doctor immediately; you may need to seek immediate medical attention.
Whether you’re headed outside for a fun day by the lake or just going on a quick walk around the neighborhood, there are some key points of advice to follow to prevent bug bites.
6640 Wible Road, Bakersfield, CA 93313
Phone: (661) 410-9500
6055 Niles St, Bakersfield CA 93306
Phone: 661.363.0436
3793 E. Shields Ave, Fresno CA 93726
Phone: 559.606.0180