Summer means more time outdoors, but it also means a higher chance of insect bites, stings, and unexpected encounters with wildlife. While most are minor and manageable at home, some bites and stings can lead to serious complications, especially in children. The Emergency Center at Conroe is here to share what every parent should know going into the summer season.
Insect Stings: Bees, Wasps & Fire Ants
When It’s Minor:
•Localized swelling, redness, itching.
•Mild discomfort that improves with home care.
At-Home Care:
•Wash with soap and water.
•Apply a cold compress.
•Use hydrocortisone cream or oral antihistamines (like Benadryl) for itching.
•Remove stingers if visible (for bees).
Head to the ER If:
•Your child shows signs of an allergic reaction:
🚨 Swelling of face or throat
🚨 Difficulty breathing or swallowing
🚨 Dizziness or fainting
🚨 Widespread hives
•The sting is inside the mouth or throat.
•The site shows signs of infection (increasing redness, warmth, pus).
Mosquito and Tick Bites
When It’s Minor:
•Mosquito bites causing itching, swelling or discomfort.
•A tick that’s found and removed quickly.
At-Home Care:
•For mosquito bites, use hydrocortisone or antihistamines.
•For ticks, remove with tweezers as close to the skin as possible.
Head to the ER If:
•A tick bite is followed by a rash, fever, or flu-like symptoms.
•There are signs of a serious allergic reaction
•Your child was bitten in a high-risk Lyme disease area and the tick was attached for 36+ hours
Animal Bites: Dogs, Cats, Wildlife
When It’s Minor:
•Minor scratches with no broken skin or minimal bleeding.
At-Home Care:
•Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water.
•Apply antibiotic ointment and cover with a clean bandage.
Head to the ER If:
•The bite is deep or bleeding heavily.
•It’s from a wild animal or a pet with unknown vaccination history.
•The bite is on the face or hands (due to a high infection risk.
•There are signs of infection: redness, warmth, pus or streaking.
Snake Bites
When It’s Minor:
•Non-venomous snakes may cause small puncture wounds and localized pain.
Head to the ER immediately if:
•You aren’t 100% sure it was non-venomous.
•There is swelling, bruising, or discoloration around the bite.
•You or your child shows symptoms like vomiting, dizziness, trouble breathing or drooping eyelids.
Do NOT:
•Try to suck out the venom
•Apply ice or a tourniquet
•Wait it out “to see if it gets worse”
TIME MATTERS
•The Emergency Center at Conroe can administer antivenom and monitor symptoms in a calm, child-friendly setting.
👩⚕️ Prevention Tips for Parents
•Apply kid-safe insect repellent before outdoor play.
•Dress kids in long sleeves and closed-toe shoes in wooded or grassy areas.
•Educate children on the importance on not touching wild animals or unknown pets.
•Do regular tick checks after hikes or park visits.
•Keep play areas clear of standing water (mosquito breeding ground).
•Learn to identify local venomous snakes and teach kids to keep their distance.
🏥 We’re Here When You Need Us
The Emergency Center at Conroe is open 24/7 with zero wait time. Whether it’s a bee sting gone wrong or a bite you’re unsure about, we’re here when you need us most.
The Emergency Center at Conroe
4019 I-45 N
Conroe, TX 77304
(I-45 and League Line Rd.)
Learn more about animal and insect bites from The Emergency Center at Conroe here.
