⚠️ In the meantime (important)
Since this involves a child and a bite:
Get urgent medical care NOW if you notice:
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Rapidly increasing swelling, severe pain, or blistering
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Red streaks spreading from the bite
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Fever, vomiting, dizziness, trouble breathing
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Swelling of lips, face, or eyes (possible allergic reaction)
Basic first aid you can do now:
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Wash the area gently with soap and water
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Apply a cold compress (10–15 min)
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Do not squeeze or cut the bite
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If itchy (and no allergy), an age-appropriate antihistamine or hydrocortisone cream can help
The fact that multiple homes nearby have the same bug is very relevant — that often points to things like:
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Bed bugs
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Fleas
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Certain beetles or mites
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Occasionally spiders or stinging insects that wander indoors
Once I see the photo, I can usually narrow it down quickly and tell you:
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What it most likely is
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Whether the bite matches that insect
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What to do next (medical vs pest control)
Upload the image when you can — I know this is scary, and we’ll take it step by step.
