Get Virtual Care
For Businesses
About Us
A member asked:
What can cause an insect bite or sting to get infected?
8 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Scratching: Scratching an itchy insect bite can cause it to get infected. Keeping both the area of the bite and your hands very clean can help prevent infection.
Answered 9/25/2012
5.8k views
Germs: The bite itself can be sterile, but it opens the skin and any nearby germ can take advantage of the opening to enter and trigger infection. Having soiled skin or scratching the area increases the chances a germ can enter. A thorough immediate cleansing of bite areas will decrease the risk.
Answered 4/13/2017
744 views
Related Questions
A member asked:
What is the immune response to an infected toe from a bee sting?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
What if a rabid bat saliva entered directly into my eyes? Will I feel any burn or sting? Will my eyes be infected at all?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
I think my gums are infected, so I floss and rinse with peroxide and it stings and my gums and inside my jaw turns white and swells up.
3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
A member asked:
I have a pimple like lump inside my belly button. It stings when I touch it and it might be infected. What should I do?
3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
People also searched for:
I was stung by a wasp a week ago, and I think the sting area has become infected. It's purple and inflamed. Should I get meds for this or should I just leave it to heal on it's own? I've been applying antiseptic cream
Out of curiosity why would my finger be stinging like there is a cut but no sign of one....Can any virus, bacteria/germ get to it and infect me?
What does an infected bee sting look like?
Is it possible for a bee sting to become infected?
My 5yr old is taking cephalexin for infected bee sting. Dose is 8.5ml, it seems like a lot?
Didn't find what you're looking for?
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.
Ask your questionMore of what we treat
Download HealthTap
Video visit and message your doctor
