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What to do if…
you get a bite or sting and the swelling keeps increasing over hours

Short answer

If swelling keeps increasing over hours, get medical advice today (urgent care/your clinician). If you have trouble breathing, throat tightness, fainting, or swelling of lips/tongue/face, call 911 now.

Do not do these things

  • Do not ignore rapidly spreading swelling/redness, especially on the face/near an eye/in the mouth or if you feel sick.
  • Do not cut, squeeze, or “dig into” the bite/sting site.
  • Do not use a tourniquet or tightly wrap the limb.
  • Do not exceed label doses of antihistamines or pain medicines.
  • Do not apply irritating or burning home remedies, or heat that makes swelling/itching worse.

What to do now

  1. Screen for anaphylaxis (act immediately). Call 911 if you have: trouble breathing/wheezing, throat tightness, trouble swallowing, swelling of tongue/lips/face, widespread hives away from the sting, severe dizziness/fainting, collapse, or you feel suddenly very unwell.
  2. If anaphylaxis is possible and you have an epinephrine auto-injector, use it now. Then call 911 and go to emergency care.
    • If symptoms are not improving after 5–15 minutes and you have a second auto-injector, use it.
    • If you’re dizzy or faint, lie down and raise your legs. If breathing is hard, you may need to sit up.
  3. Reduce risk from swelling right now.
    • Remove rings, watches, tight clothing, or shoes on that limb early.
    • Rest and elevate the limb.
    • Use cold compresses/ice wrapped in cloth in short cycles to reduce pain and swelling.
  4. If a stinger is present (common after bee stings), remove it by scraping. Use a fingernail or a card edge; avoid squeezing.
  5. Track whether it’s spreading. Outline the edge of redness/swelling with a pen and write the time. Take a photo. Bring this to urgent care/ER.
  6. Use over-the-counter relief (if safe for you).
    • An oral antihistamine can help itching and some swelling.
    • OTC pain relief can help pain if you can take it.
    • OTC hydrocortisone cream may help itching/swelling—follow the label.
  7. Escalate faster if infection/cellulitis is possible. Seek urgent medical attention now (urgent care or ER) if the red/swollen area is spreading quickly or you develop fever or chills.
  8. Get same-day medical advice if swelling keeps increasing over hours, especially if:
    • it’s near the eye, mouth, or throat,
    • you had multiple stings or a history of severe reactions,
    • the area is becoming hot, increasingly painful, or you feel unwell.
  9. Use Poison Control for guidance if you’re unsure what bit/stung you, symptoms are worsening, or you want real-time advice. In the U.S., call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). Call 911 instead for life-threatening symptoms.

What can wait

  • You do not need to identify the exact insect/spider right now.
  • You do not need to decide today whether you “have an allergy” long-term.
  • You do not need to keep testing it by touching/squeezing; monitor spread with the pen line/photo instead.

Important reassurance

Many stings and bites swell and look worse before they improve. Some people have a stronger “large local” reaction where swelling can keep worsening over the next day or two. You’re not overreacting by getting help when swelling is still increasing over hours—especially if it’s spreading quickly, in a risky area, or you feel sick.

Scope note

These are first steps for the next few hours. Longer-term decisions (follow-up care, allergy evaluation, prevention planning) can come later.

Important note

This is general information, not a diagnosis. If symptoms are worsening or you’re unsure, it’s reasonable to seek same-day medical advice—especially with spreading redness/swelling, increasing pain, or fever/chills.

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