Fleas, mites, and chiggers are different kinds of small insects. They are also parasites. This means they feed off the blood, skin, or both of animals and humans. These insects are more common in the warm weather. They bite skin and cause symptoms such as bumps, redness, pain, or itching.
Ticks attach themselves to the scalp, behind the ear, in the armpit and groin, and also between fingers and toes. Find out what to do if you find a tick on your child.
Lyme disease is an infection caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. The bacteria are usually spread by tick bites. Lyme disease is a year-round problem, but it peaks during the spring and summer months.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial infection. It’s spread by the bite of an infected tick. Learn details about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Most spiders in the U.S. are poisonous. The fangs of most spiders are too short or too fragile to break through human skin. Or their poison (venom) is too weak to cause damage. Most spider bites cause only minor, local reactions. But bites from the black widow and the brown recluse spiders can cause serious problems. Read on to learn more.
For most children, the reaction to a sting is brief, with redness and swelling followed by pain and itching. Others may have an allergic reaction that is life-threatening. Read on for details.
Both venomous and nonvenomous snakes can bite. It's important to treat all snakebites as if they are venomous. Here's what you need to know.