What to do about a rove beetle bite
Feb 24, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
Paederus dermatitis refers to an inflammatory reaction caused by contact between the strongly acidic venom inside the Paederus beetle and the skin. Management of Paederus dermatitis typically includes immediate washing, cold compresses, keeping the affected area dry, applying topical medications, and taking oral medications. If symptoms continue to worsen or systemic symptoms such as infection and fever develop, prompt medical attention should be sought for diagnosis and treatment by a qualified physician.
Paederus dermatitis refers to an inflammatory reaction caused by contact of the skin with the strongly acidic venom inside the Paederus beetle. Treatment methods for Paederus dermatitis usually include timely rinsing, cold compresses, keeping the affected area dry, topical medications, and oral medications. If symptoms persist or worsen, or if systemic symptoms such as infection or fever occur, prompt medical attention should be sought for diagnosis and treatment by a qualified physician. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Prompt rinsing: After being bitten by a Paederus beetle, the wound should be immediately washed with soap water or a sodium bicarbonate solution to neutralize the acidic venom and alleviate pain.
2. Cold compress: Applying an ice pack or cold compress to the wound can help reduce swelling and pain, but care should be taken to avoid frostbite.
3. Keep the affected area dry: Keeping the bitten area dry and avoiding a moist environment can prevent bacterial growth and subsequent infection. The affected area can be gently covered with clean gauze.
4. Topical medication: After cleaning the wound, medications such as desonide cream, zinc oxide oil, or calamine lotion can be applied to help relieve symptoms such as redness, swelling, itching, and pain.
5. Oral medication: If symptoms are severe, oral medications such as cetirizine hydrochloride drops, chlorpheniramine maleate tablets, or prednisone acetate tablets may be taken under a doctor's guidance to reduce allergic and inflammatory reactions.
When treating Paederus dermatitis, scratching or rubbing the affected area should be avoided to prevent worsening symptoms or triggering infection. At the same time, preventive measures are also important, such as installing screen doors and windows to prevent Paederus beetles from entering indoor spaces, wearing long-sleeved clothing and using insect repellents during outdoor activities.
