Online care for bug bites

Telehealth visits for bug bites and bee stings

Nobody appreciates a pest. If you’re the victim of a bee sting or bites from mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, or other bugs, you can schedule an online visit with one of our Amwell telehealth providers using your phone, tablet, or computer. We’ll look at the bite, assess your symptoms, and give you treatment advice.

Signs of bug bites

After a bug bite or a bee sting, you may experience any of the following symptoms:

• Pain
• Stinging or burning sensation
• Redness
• Swelling
• Itching
• Numbness
• Tingling

Most bug bites are not serious, but be aware that some pests might carry diseases that cause more serious symptoms. For example, some mosquitoes carry the West Nile Virus, and ticks may carry Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

If you have a mosquito bite, seek care if you develop any of the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Headache and body aches
• Skin rash
• Swollen lymph glands (located in the neck, armpits, groin, and other areas)

If you have a tick bite, watch for these symptoms:

• Muscle and joint pain
• Fever and chills
• Weakness
• Rash
• Swelling
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• A rash that grows and develops a “bull’s-eye” appearance

While most spider bites are harmless, bites from black widow and brown recluse spiders can cause more severe reactions, such as:

• Body aches and muscle cramps
• Weakness
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headaches

Your Amwell telehealth provider will tell you how to treat your symptoms or, if needed, refer you to in-person care. People with allergic reactions to bug bites and stings, such as trouble swallowing or breathing or chest tightness, should get in-person care right away.

What to expect during your telehealth visit

Your Amwell provider will review your medical history and ask questions, including:

• What symptoms are you having? Do you have itching, pain, blisters, warmth, or oozing at the site of the bite?
• Do you have a fever, tiredness, or swelling in the neck, armpits, groin, and other areas (your lymph nodes)?
• Do you see streaks of red coming from the bite area (or other indication of infection)?
• What treatments have you tried?
• Have you had a tetanus vaccine and booster? (Some bites get infected with tetanus bacteria.)
• Have you traveled in the past two weeks?
• Do you have any medication allergies?

Your Amwell telehealth provider will also perform a physical exam by:

• Looking at your bug bite or bee sting
• Observing your general appearance and comfort level

To make the most of your telehealth visit, use a device with a good video connection in a room with good lighting. You can also upload pictures of your bug bites so your provider can see them.

Your treatment plan for bug bites and bee stings

After making a diagnosis, your Amwell telehealth provider will give you a treatment plan to care for your bug bite or bee sting. You’ll learn how to clean and treat the wound and watch for signs of infection. If you need prescription medicine or antibiotic ointments, we’ll send the orders to your pharmacy.

If your bite or sting is not healing properly, or your provider thinks you are at high risk for complications, we’ll refer you to in-person care.

Have questions about telehealth visits? We’ll help.

You’ll find answers to many of your questions about how it works and services we offer online. Or please reach out to our support team at We have highly trained health service specialists standing by to take your call, 24/7.