Insect bite treatment in Patong
Bites are part of tropical life, and most need nothing more than patience. Some do not. When a bite swells dramatically, becomes infected from scratching, or comes with a fever a few days later, it needs looking at. Insect bite treatment in Patong is available around the clock at our clinic.
What bites you in Patong
Mosquitoes are the obvious one, and they matter beyond the itch because they carry dengue here. Sandflies bite on beaches, usually around the ankles, and cause intensely itchy bumps that last far longer than mosquito bites.
Ants, including biting red ants in gardens and on tree trunks, cause sharp painful bites. Centipedes deliver a genuinely painful bite that swells considerably. Bedbugs leave lines or clusters of bites, usually on skin exposed while sleeping, and are worth identifying because the room needs treating, not just you.
When a bite needs a doctor
Come in if the swelling is large and spreading, if the bite becomes hot, red and increasingly painful after a couple of days, if there is pus, if you develop a fever, or if a red line tracks away from the bite.
Come in urgently, or call an ambulance, for difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, dizziness or a widespread rash. That is an allergic reaction and it needs treating immediately rather than waiting to see.
Fever after bites: think dengue
This is the local point that matters most. If you develop a high fever, severe headache behind the eyes, and aching muscles and joints several days after being bitten, that could be dengue rather than a reaction to the bite.
Do not take ibuprofen or aspirin in that situation, because they increase bleeding risk if dengue is confirmed. Use paracetamol and come in for a blood test. We run rapid dengue testing on site.
Treatment
For strong local reactions we use antihistamines and steroid cream, and where the swelling is significant a short course of oral steroids settles it faster. Cold compresses help. The aim is to stop the itch, because scratching is what turns a harmless bite into an infected wound.
Infected bites need antibiotics, and we clean and dress them properly. Where something is embedded in the skin, such as a tick, we remove it correctly, which matters because squeezing or burning a tick makes things worse.
Bites that turn into ulcers
Occasionally a bite develops into a persistent sore that will not heal, particularly on the lower legs. In a tropical setting that deserves proper assessment rather than repeated antiseptic. We examine it, treat the infection, and arrange further investigation if it is not behaving as it should.
Avoiding the next batch
Use repellent containing DEET or picaridin, and reapply after swimming and sweating. Mosquitoes carrying dengue bite during the day, so daytime repellent matters as much as evening. Cover ankles at dusk, particularly near vegetation and standing water.
Use air conditioning or a net at night, and tip out standing water on balconies, since that is where the mosquitoes breeding around your room come from.
Common questions about insect bites in Patong
How long do sandfly bites last?
Often one to two weeks, and they itch far longer than mosquito bites. Treating the itch early prevents scratching and infection.
How do I know if it is infected?
Increasing pain after day two, spreading redness, heat, pus or fever. Simple itching without those is a reaction, not an infection.
How much does treatment cost in Patong?
Consultation plus medication, and antibiotics if infected. Message us for a quote.
Should I be tested for dengue?
If you have fever with headache and body aches after bites, yes. It is a quick blood test.
Can a doctor come to my hotel?
Yes, including injections for severe reactions.