Stings initially feel like a shot, and a young child may just start screaming without explanation. A sting, especially from a wasp or hornet, can produce a good deal of local swelling and redness – and a lot of itching.

Look out for signs of an allergic reaction (more common with stings): hives (red raised patches on the skin that itch), generalized skin redness and itchiness and nausea. Any throat tightness or tongue and lip swelling signifies a serious allergic reaction, and you should get your child to an emergency room immediately. Keep in mind that your child can get an allergic reaction even if she has not had one in the past.

If your child gets bitten by a bug, wash the area with soap and water. If it's itching a lot, calamine lotion can help. If the bite is hurting or stinging, some ibuprofen (such as Children's Motrin) or acetaminophen (such as Children's Tylenol), dosed according to your child's weight, can relieve the pain. An ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) can immediately relieve the stinging and burning of a new bite.

If you can see a stinger in the skin, scrape it away using the edge of a credit card. In the case of a scorpion, for example, the stinger can continue to deposit poison until it is removed. Once the stinger is removed, wash with soap and water and apply an ice pack (or run cool water over the area).

If the itching is spreading or your child may have an allergic reaction, your pediatrician may recommend an antihistamine (such as Benadryl) to control the reaction. In cases of a severe allergic reaction, your child may need intravenous medication to stop the reaction.