Bites & Burns Treatment Providers in Fargo

When it comes to bug bites, they will usually go away on their own in a couple of days. However, there are some cases in which a bite can pose a serious danger to your health, which is why it’s important to educate yourself concerning the common insects, spiders, and bugs that are in your area.

While many bites are harmless, there are some that can cause a severe allergic reaction. Everyone reacts differently to bites, so it’s important that you know what to look for.

A mild reaction can include itching, redness, and swelling around the site.

A severe reaction can occur within a matter of minutes after being stung or bitten and can cause swelling of the throat, tongue, lips, trouble breathing, vomiting, cramping, nausea, hives, dizziness, blisters, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness.

Some of the most common types of bites that we treat at Altaire Clinic are caused by:

• Fire ants
• Brown recluse spiders and other types of spiders
• Hornets
• Black widow spiders
• Wasps
• Honey bees
• Yellowjackets
• Biting flies
• Mosquitos

Home treatment can include washing the bite, applying an antibiotic ointment, taking an over the counter antihistamine to relieve itching, an anti inflammatory to relieve swelling, over the counter pain medicine, and applying a cool wet washcloth. Mosquito bites are very common and can often be treated at home with hydrocortisone cream and a cool washcloth. A poisonous spider bite can require immediate medical attention. Signs of a brown recluse bite include tissue damage, skin sores, a bite with a pale center that turns purple or dark blue with a red ring around it, body aches, chills, and a fever.

Infection

Check your insect sting or bite for signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, swelling, and a fever. If the pain and swelling are severe or worsen within a matter of hours, you must seek medical treatment. Treatment for spider bites will depend on the type of spider.

Other bites and stings can be treated with over the counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories.

Burn Injury

Burns can also be scary for both adults and children, and it may not be clear whether or not a burn requires medical treatment. If your child is complaining of severe pain, there is increased redness, and swelling medical treatment is required.

The different types of burns are based on severity- first, second, and third degree.

First degree burns are minor burns and affect only the outer layer of skin. A second degree burn can involve possible skin loss and blisters. Third degree burns extend into the fat layer beneath the dermis layer of the skin. Skin can appear tan, leathery, waxy white, and stiff. A third degree burn typically requires skin grafts for wound closure. With third degree burns, it’s clear medical attention is required immediately.

With first and second degree burns, an adult or child may experience pain and moderate discomfort. There is also the risk of a secondary skin infection if proper home care is not followed. At home, for minor burns, a cold washcloth and over the counter pain relievers can be effective.

Seek medical attention for the following:

• Burns on the groin, feet, face, or hands
• Burns that were caused by hot grease, fire embers, flames
• Burns that cross joints
• Burns that have an area of whiteness
• Large blisters
• Chemical or electrical burns
• Burns that affect multiple areas
• Pain that cannot be relieved with over the counter pain medication
• Signs of infection such as oozing, swelling, increased redness, fever

Both bites and burns can result in secondary infections without proper treatment. Bites that cause an allergic reaction can be life-threatening without medical intervention.

Most insurance plans will cover the cost of treatment for bites and burns. To learn more about what your policy covers, you must contact your insurance provider directly.

Below is a list of the accepted insurance providers at Altaire Clinic.

• Aetna
• BCBS of MN
• BCBS of ND
• Cigna
• Health Partners
• Humana
• Medica
• Medicare
• ND Medicaid
• Preferred One
• Sanford
• Tricare/Health Net Federal Services
• United Health Care
• VA PC3 (Optum)

*Please contact us if you have any questions as to if we accept your insurance.