Insect Bites or stings Mosquitoes, ticks, bees, wasps, spiders, ants, chiggers, and other insects can leave behind itchy, painful, or swollen skin reactions. Most bites and stings improve with simple home care, but some can cause infection, allergic reactions, or illness that needs prompt medical attention. What is an insect bite or sting? An insect bite occurs when an insect feeds or irritates the skin, often causing itching, redness, and a small bump. A sting occurs when an

Sunburn Sunburn can happen faster than many people realize, especially during summer, outdoor sports, vacations, pool days, yard work, or even cloudy weather. While many mild sunburns can be cared for at home, some burns need medical evaluation — especially if there is blistering, severe pain, fever, dehydration, or signs of infection. Here’s what helps, what to avoid, and when it may be time to get checked. What is it? Sunburn is skin damage caused by too much ultraviolet li

Poison Ivy Poison ivy is a common cause of an itchy skin rash, especially after outdoor activities such as yard work, gardening, hiking, camping, or playing outside. The rash is caused by contact with an oily plant resin called urushiol, which can be found on poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. For many people, poison ivy can be managed at home. However, some rashes become severe, widespread, infected, or involve sensitive areas of the body. In those cases, medical care