What is the treatment for a beetle bite?

Treatment for Beetle Bites

For simple beetle bites, thoroughly irrigate the wound with copious amounts of water, then apply antibiotic ointment and cover with a clean occlusive dressing. 1

Initial Wound Management

The primary treatment approach for beetle bites follows standard wound care principles:

• Irrigate the bite site thoroughly with a large volume of warm or room temperature potable water (with or without soap) until all foreign matter is removed from the wound 1
• This irrigation step is critical and applies to all animal and insect bites, as it reduces bacterial load and removes potential irritants 1

Wound Dressing and Infection Prevention

After cleaning:

• Apply antibiotic ointment or cream directly to the bite site 1
• Cover with a clean occlusive dressing 1
• This approach promotes better healing with less infection compared to leaving wounds uncovered 1

Symptomatic Relief

For local reactions (pain, swelling, itching):

• Apply cold compresses to reduce local pain and swelling 1
• Place a barrier (such as a thin towel) between the cold container and skin to prevent cold injury 1
• Administer oral antihistamines to reduce itching 1
• Give oral analgesics (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) for pain relief 1

When to Escalate Treatment

For Large Local Reactions

If extensive erythema and swelling develop that persists beyond 24-48 hours:

• Consider a short course of oral corticosteroids promptly to limit swelling progression 1
• The swelling is caused by allergic inflammation, not infection, and therefore does not require antibiotic therapy 1

For Systemic Reactions (Rare but Critical)

If signs of anaphylaxis develop (urticaria, angioedema, bronchospasm, airway edema):

• Immediately administer intramuscular epinephrine (0.01 mg/kg up to 0.3 mg in children; 0.3-0.5 mg in adults) into the anterolateral thigh 1
• Activate emergency medical services immediately 1
• Epinephrine is the only first-line treatment for anaphylaxis—antihistamines and corticosteroids are not substitutes 1

Critical Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not prescribe antibiotics routinely for swelling alone—most reactions are allergic inflammation rather than infection 1
• Do not apply ice directly to the bite as it can cause tissue ischemia 1
• Secondary bacterial infection can occur but is unusual; only treat with antibiotics if clear signs of infection develop (purulence, spreading cellulitis, fever) 1

Clinical Context

While the evidence provided focuses primarily on stinging insects (bees, wasps, fire ants), beetle bites are generally less severe and follow the same basic wound care principles established for all insect and animal bites 1. Most beetle bites cause only minor local reactions that resolve with simple wound care and symptomatic treatment 2.