Contents

SynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyReferences

Information for Patients

View all Images (33)

Arthropod bite or sting in Child
See also in: Cellulitis DDx,External and Internal Eye
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Arthropod bite or sting in Child

See also in: Cellulitis DDx,External and Internal Eye
Contributors: Craig N. Burkhart MD, Dean Morrell MD, Lowell A. Goldsmith MD, MPH
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

An arthropod bite or sting may develop a localized inflammatory reaction manifested by localized swelling, redness, pain, burning, and pruritus.

Reactions may be more pronounced in the immunocompromised patient. An exaggerated, sometimes bullous reaction to an arthropod bite is characteristic of certain immunosuppressed states, especially a hematopoietic malignancy or HIV disease. In HIV-infected individuals, arthropod assaults may result in an extremely pruritic skin eruption called "pruritic papular eruption."

Arthropods include insects (stinging or venomous hymenoptera [eg, bees, wasps, fire ants] and non-venomous insects [eg, mosquitos, chiggers, fleas]) as well as ticks, mites, spiders, scabies, and body lice. Other arthropods often remain unidentified.

Arthropods may transmit human illness (including tick bite fever, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a variety of encephalitides, malaria). Venomous bites may trigger systemic toxic or allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. An ascending paralysis caused by a neurotoxin may occur after a tick bite.

Some arthropod infestations, such as pediculosis capitis, scabies and crusted scabies, are highly contagious and pose a particular problem in the institutional setting.

There are highly variable global distributions of insects and arthropods. In returning travelers, insect bites are the fourth most common skin complaint diagnosed.

Codes

ICD10CM:
T63.481A – Toxic effect of venom of other arthropod, accidental (unintentional), first encounter

SNOMEDCT:
409985002 – Arthropod bite wound

Look For

Subscription Required

Diagnostic Pearls

Subscription Required

Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

To perform a comparison, select diagnoses from the classic differential

Subscription Required

Best Tests

Subscription Required

Management Pearls

Subscription Required

Therapy

Subscription Required

References

Subscription Required

Last Updated:06/14/2018
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Patient Information for Arthropod bite or sting in Child
Contributors: Medical staff writer
Premium Feature
VisualDx Patient Handouts
Available in the Elite package
  • Improve treatment compliance
  • Reduce after-hours questions
  • Increase patient engagement and satisfaction
  • Written in clear, easy-to-understand language. No confusing jargon.
  • Available in English and Spanish
  • Print out or email directly to your patient
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Arthropod bite or sting in Child
See also in: Cellulitis DDx,External and Internal Eye
A medical illustration showing key findings of Arthropod bite or sting : Bite or trauma site, Erythema, Eyelid edema, Scattered few, Pruritus, Excoriated papules
Clinical image of Arthropod bite or sting - imageId=531756. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'A close-up of two markedly edematous pink nodules on the buttock of an immunocompromised patient.'
A close-up of two markedly edematous pink nodules on the buttock of an immunocompromised patient.
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.