FLORIDA'S ONLY JOINT COMMISSION-ACCREDITED URGENT CARE
FLORIDA'S ONLY JOINT COMMISSION-ACCREDITED URGENT CARE · ONE OF JUST 8 NATIONWIDE
FLORIDA'S ONLY JOINT COMMISSION-ACCREDITED URGENT CARE
FLORIDA'S ONLY JOINT COMMISSION-ACCREDITED URGENT CARE · ONE OF JUST 8 NATIONWIDE
Walk-in management of mosquito bites, fire ant stings, spider bites, jellyfish and Portuguese man-o-war, and anaphylactic reactions. Physician-led.
Joint Commission accredited. Physician on shift every day. Most insurance accepted.
Yes. TrufaMED handles insect bites, stings, and marine envenomations seven days a week, no appointment needed. A board-certified physician oversees your care. Most visits resolve in 30 to 45 minutes.
Featured Answer
Most insect bites in South Florida — mosquitoes, no-see-ums, fire ants, jellyfish stings — respond to topical steroid, oral antihistamine, and wound care. Anaphylactic reactions get IM epinephrine, IV access, and observation. Infected bites get oral or IV antibiotics. Tetanus is updated when indicated. If anaphylaxis is progressing despite epinephrine or systemic symptoms are severe, we initiate treatment here while arranging emergency transport.
South Florida’s warm humid climate supports a year-round population of biting and stinging arthropods. Our physicians see the same faces in every season. Here is the short list of what usually brings patients in.
For the great majority of arthropod bites, the treatment is supportive: clean the wound, topical steroid for itch, oral antihistamine if widespread, tetanus update if more than five years since last dose. What makes urgent care evaluation worthwhile is the one time the bite is something else — a spreading cellulitis that started as a bite, an allergic reaction escalating to airway involvement, or a spider bite with systemic features.
Coding context: arthropod venom exposures fall under T63.481A, bee/wasp under T63.441A, jellyfish and other marine stings under T63.591A, secondary skin infection under L08.89, and anaphylactic reaction under T78.2XXA. The physician codes the visit based on what the exam shows, not what the patient describes as the trigger.
South Florida’s beaches bring an entirely different set of stinging exposures. The early minutes after a sting matter — and the right rinse depends on what stung you.
For most jellyfish native to our waters, the first step is to rinse with seawater, not fresh water. Fresh water triggers nematocysts (stinging cells) that have not yet fired, worsening the sting. Remove any visible tentacles with a gloved hand or plastic card edge, then apply vinegar for certain species. After decontamination, hot water immersion at 43 to 45°C for 20 minutes reduces pain effectively.
The Portuguese man-o-war is not actually a jellyfish but a siphonophore — and it demands a different initial approach. Remove tentacles, rinse with seawater. Vinegar is controversial for man-o-war and often not recommended because it can cause further nematocyst discharge. Hot water immersion is the mainstay. Systemic symptoms can occur and warrant physician evaluation.
Sea lice are not lice at all — they are the larvae of thimble jellyfish or sea anemones trapped under swimsuits. The rash appears hours after leaving the water, in a bathing-suit distribution. Treatment: shower without the suit, topical steroid, oral antihistamine. Most cases resolve in 7 to 10 days. Severe or widespread eruption can get an oral steroid taper.
Stingray wounds are rare on our beaches but do occur. Management: hot water immersion (120°F for 60 to 90 minutes) to denature the venom protein, thorough wound exploration for retained barb fragments, X-ray if foreign body suspected, tetanus update, antibiotics for wound contamination.
Marine Sting First Aid
Never Do
Not every bite needs the same treatment. Our physicians match intensity to severity. Mild local reaction is one thing; spreading infection or systemic reaction is entirely different.
| Severity | Clinical Picture | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Mild local | Small itchy welt, redness under 2 inches, no spread, no systemic symptoms | Topical corticosteroid (hydrocortisone, triamcinolone), oral antihistamine if widespread. No antibiotic. |
| Moderate local | Larger swelling, 2 to 10 inches, skin warm but no streaking, no systemic symptoms | Higher-potency topical steroid, oral antihistamine, ice, elevation. Consider short oral steroid if significant swelling. |
| Infected (cellulitis) | Spreading redness, warmth, streaking, purulent drainage, low-grade fever | Oral antibiotic (first-line: cephalexin or clindamycin depending on MRSA risk). Follow-up 48 hours. IV antibiotics if severe. |
| Abscess | Fluctuant swollen area with surrounding erythema, usually on an extremity | Incision and drainage done in clinic, wound packing, oral antibiotic depending on exam and culture. |
| Severe systemic | Widespread urticaria, wheezing, lightheadedness, throat tightness | IM epinephrine, IV fluids, IV antihistamine and steroid, observation. EpiPen prescription. Allergist referral. |
| Anaphylaxis | Airway compromise, hypotension, shock | IM epinephrine immediately, IV access, fluids, vasopressors if needed. ER transport while stabilizing. |
Tetanus status matters for every bite that breaks the skin. Adults should have a tetanus booster every 10 years (every 5 for dirty wounds). If we cannot confirm your last dose was within 5 years, we update at the visit. For animal bites, rabies risk assessment is formal: we review species, provocation, and local animal control data before deciding on postexposure prophylaxis.
Bee, wasp, hornet, and fire ant stings are the most common triggers for anaphylaxis from insect exposure. The clinical picture can progress within minutes. Here is what we do when it walks through the door.
Intramuscular epinephrine into the anterolateral thigh, standard adult dose 0.3 to 0.5 mg, pediatric weight-based. It is the first and most important intervention — before IV access, before antihistamines.
Large-bore IV, isotonic crystalloid for volume support. Anaphylaxis causes massive fluid shift and vasodilation; volume replacement supports blood pressure until the reaction resolves.
Diphenhydramine IV for histamine blockade, methylprednisolone or dexamethasone IV for biphasic reaction prevention. Adjuncts to epinephrine, not replacements for it.
After stabilization, minimum 4 hours observation for uncomplicated anaphylaxis, longer for severe cases or those requiring multiple epinephrine doses. Biphasic reactions can occur 4 to 12 hours later.
Every patient with an anaphylactic reaction leaves with an epinephrine auto-injector prescription, a written anaphylaxis action plan, and instructions on when and how to use it.
Confirmed anaphylaxis from a specific trigger warrants allergist referral for formal testing and consideration of venom immunotherapy — a treatment that can markedly reduce future reaction risk.
Lyme disease is uncommon native to Florida — but the Miami metro is one of the country’s busiest travel hubs, and travelers bring exposures home. Our physicians evaluate tick-related complaints with that reality in mind.
If a tick is still attached: use fine-tipped tweezers, grasp as close to the skin as possible, pull steadily upward with even pressure. Do not twist, do not apply petroleum jelly or matches, do not use a hot needle. After removal, clean the bite site with soap and water. Save the tick in a sealed container for identification if symptoms develop later.
Single-dose doxycycline prophylaxis within 72 hours of tick removal is indicated in Lyme-endemic areas for an adult ixodes tick attached more than 36 hours. In Florida, the classic ixodes exposure is rare — most Florida ticks are lone star or dog tick, which do not carry Lyme. We review travel history at the visit to decide whether prophylaxis is appropriate.
Classic Lyme erythema migrans (expanding bullseye rash), arthritis, neurologic symptoms, or carditis can follow untreated Lyme. Ehrlichiosis — more common in Florida — presents with fever, headache, muscle aches, and sometimes a rash. Rocky Mountain spotted fever produces a petechial rash that spreads centripetally. Suspected tick-borne illness gets labs and empiric treatment when the clinical picture warrants.
Alpha-gal syndrome — a delayed red-meat allergy triggered by the lone star tick — is increasingly common in the Southeast. It presents as late-onset hives or anaphylaxis several hours after eating beef, pork, or lamb. Diagnosis is by specific IgE testing. We recognize the pattern and refer for formal allergist workup when indicated.
Florida Tick Quick Reference
Most suspected spider bites in Florida are not spider bites at all — they are infected skin lesions that started as something else. True significant spider bites are rare, but the few that count are worth recognizing on exam.
Southern black widow is present in Florida. The bite itself is often unremarkable, but systemic symptoms develop over hours: muscle cramping (classically abdominal), hypertension, sweating, nausea. Treatment is pain control, muscle relaxers, and observation. Antivenom is reserved for severe cases. Most patients recover without complication within 24 to 48 hours.
Brown recluse is uncommon natively in Florida (more common in Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and parts of the Southeast). The classic bite produces a painful lesion that may progress to central necrosis and a violaceous ring over days. Treatment is wound care, pain control, and observation. Most recluse bites are misdiagnosed — MRSA cellulitis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and other lesions are far more common than true recluse envenomation.
A “spider bite” that is spreading, warm, draining pus, or associated with fever is cellulitis until proven otherwise — often MRSA cellulitis. We treat the skin infection we can see, not the spider we cannot find. This matters because anti-venom and wound debridement are not what most of these patients need; appropriate antibiotics are.
Children react differently to bites than adults. They are more likely to have large local reactions, more likely to scratch and cause secondary infection, and more likely to need reassurance as much as medication.
Pediatric skin reacts more vigorously to arthropod saliva than adult skin. A mosquito bite that produces a small welt in an adult can produce a 3-inch swollen red patch in a toddler. This is not infection — it is a normal large local reaction. Treatment: topical steroid, oral antihistamine, cool compress, clip the child’s fingernails to reduce secondary infection from scratching.
Children scratch. Scratched bites get infected, especially on legs and around the mouth. We look for signs of impetigo or cellulitis at the visit and treat with appropriate antibiotic when indicated.
Come in right away for: any bite or sting near the face or mouth with swelling, any systemic symptoms (lethargy, repeated vomiting, wheezing, urticaria), any fire ant sting with more than localized reaction, any known or suspected bee/wasp sting in a child with prior anaphylaxis. Same-visit epinephrine is available for children as well as adults.
Fire ant stings produce the characteristic sterile pustule at 24 to 48 hours. These are not bacterial infections and do not require antibiotics. Do not unroof the pustule. Topical steroid and oral antihistamine handle itch; secondary bacterial infection from scratching is treated if it develops.
Pediatric Bite Care
Most bites and stings are urgent-care level. A few are not. The findings below move disposition from clinic to emergency department without delay.
Go to the ER or call 911 if:
If you are unsure, come in. We triage on arrival and escalate when the findings warrant it. Mild local reactions, moderate stings, infected bites, and anaphylaxis that is responding to treatment all belong in urgent care. Anaphylaxis that is not responding, airway involvement, or shock belong in the emergency department — and we will stabilize and transport.
A bite can be a five-minute topical steroid fix or a life-threatening envenomation. The difference is often subtle on presentation. TrufaMED is staffed and equipped to handle the full spectrum.
01 · Accreditation
Florida’s Only JC-Accredited Urgent Care
Joint Commission accreditation — the same body that accredits hospitals — audits our sterile technique, medication safety, and clinical protocols every three years.
02 · Physicians
Board-Certified MDs On Every Shift
Every patient is evaluated by a board-certified physician. Led by Dr. Uri Gedalia and Dr. Shane D. Naidoo (Emergency Medicine). Meet them on our staff page.
03 · Anaphylaxis Ready
Epinephrine, IV, Observation All On Site
IM epinephrine, IV access, crystalloid fluids, IV antihistamine and steroid, full monitored observation. Anaphylactic patients do not need to go elsewhere for initial management.
04 · Same-Visit Escalation
We Escalate When It Is Right
Most bites are urgent-care level. Cases that need ER care — progressive anaphylaxis, suspected compartment syndrome, necrotizing infection — are identified and transferred quickly. We do not send patients home unstable.
05 · On-Site Capabilities
Labs, Imaging, Pharmacy All Here
When a bite is infected and needs a CBC, when a suspected bite is actually cellulitis, when wound imaging is needed — on-site lab and digital X-ray close the loop.
06 · Open Late, Every Day
Seven Days a Week, Evenings
Most stings happen in the late afternoon and evening — at the beach, in the yard, on a hike. Monday through Friday 9 AM to 9 PM, Saturday 11 AM to 11 PM, Sunday 12 PM to 8 PM.
The questions our physicians answer most often about bites, stings, and envenomations in South Florida.
TrufaMED is at 9445 Harding Ave in Surfside — minutes from Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Miami Beach, Sunny Isles, and Aventura. Walk in without an appointment seven days a week.
9445 Harding Ave, Surfside, FL 33154 · Contact our team · Walk-in only — no appointment needed.
Monday – Friday
9 AM – 9 PM
Saturday
11 AM – 11 PM
Sunday
12 PM – 8 PM
TrufaMED is Florida’s only Joint Commission-accredited urgent care. In addition to insect bite care, we handle the full urgent care spectrum including stomach flu, dehydration IV, pediatric urgent care, influenza, sore throat, and UTI. Most insurance accepted. Self-pay patients welcome.
Insect bite evaluation and treatment — physician exam, medications, wound care, observation when indicated — is covered by most major plans as a standard urgent care visit.
Physician evaluation, wound care, allergic reaction management, and anaphylaxis response in one urgent care visit. No appointment needed.
Medical Disclaimer: Content on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Bite and sting reactions vary widely by individual, exposure, and timing, and proper treatment requires an in-person physician evaluation. If you are experiencing progressive anaphylaxis despite epinephrine, airway compromise, severe shortness of breath, shock, or any other life-threatening symptom, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. TrufaMED Urgent Care & Concierge Medicine — 9445 Harding Ave, Surfside, FL 33154 — (305) 537-6396. Joint Commission accredited.
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Copyright © 2026 TrufaMED Urgent Care
South Florida's tropical climate is home to a diverse population of biting and stinging insects, and understanding the risks associated with different species helps residents and visitors know when to seek medical care. At TrufaMED Urgent Care in Surfside, we treat insect-related injuries year-round and are familiar with the regional species that most commonly cause medical concerns.
Mosquitoes are the most prevalent biting insect in the Miami Beach area, with peak activity during dawn and dusk hours and throughout the rainy season from May through October. While most mosquito bites cause only minor itching and localized swelling, mosquitoes in South Florida can carry diseases including West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, and historically Zika and dengue fever. Patients who develop high fever, severe headache, body aches, or rash following mosquito bites should seek medical evaluation.
Fire ants are extremely common throughout South Florida and deliver a distinctive sting that produces immediate burning pain followed by the formation of sterile pustules within 24 hours. Multiple fire ant stings are common because the insects swarm aggressively when their mound is disturbed. While most reactions are localized, some individuals develop large local reactions with extensive swelling, and a small percentage experience systemic anaphylactic reactions requiring emergency treatment.
Bee and wasp stings cause immediate sharp pain, redness, and swelling at the sting site. Honey bees leave their barbed stinger embedded in the skin, while wasps can sting multiple times. The primary medical concern with bee and wasp stings is allergic reaction, which can range from large local swelling to life-threatening anaphylaxis. South Florida is also home to spiders including the brown recluse and southern black widow, both of which can cause medically significant bites requiring professional treatment.
Allergic reactions to insect stings occur on a spectrum from mild local reactions to severe systemic anaphylaxis. Understanding the warning signs helps patients determine when urgent care or emergency treatment is needed. Local reactions involve redness, swelling, and pain confined to the immediate area of the sting and typically resolve within a few hours to days with home care including ice, antihistamines, and topical corticosteroids.
Large local reactions cause swelling that extends well beyond the sting site, sometimes involving an entire limb. For example, a sting on the hand may cause swelling extending to the elbow. These reactions are not life-threatening but can be uncomfortable and may benefit from prescription oral corticosteroids and stronger antihistamines available at TrufaMED.
Systemic allergic reactions produce symptoms distant from the sting site and require prompt medical attention. Mild systemic reactions may include widespread hives, generalized itching, and mild swelling. Severe anaphylaxis can cause throat tightening, difficulty breathing, wheezing, rapid pulse, drop in blood pressure, dizziness, nausea, and loss of consciousness. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency requiring immediate epinephrine administration. If you are experiencing throat swelling or difficulty breathing after a sting, call 911 first. For non-emergency allergic reactions, TrufaMED provides evaluation and treatment including antihistamines, steroids, and monitoring.
Insect bites can become secondarily infected when bacteria enter through the broken skin, particularly when bites are scratched. Infection risk is elevated in South Florida's warm, humid climate where bacteria thrive. Signs of an infected insect bite include increasing redness that spreads outward from the bite, warmth around the area, swelling that continues to worsen, pus or cloudy drainage, red streaks extending from the bite, fever, and swollen lymph nodes near the affected area.
Cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection that can develop from an insect bite, requires prompt antibiotic treatment to prevent spread into deeper tissues or the bloodstream. Our physicians at TrufaMED evaluate infected bites, determine the severity and extent of infection, and prescribe appropriate antibiotic therapy. We may mark the borders of redness to monitor for progression and schedule follow-up evaluation for more significant infections.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as MRSA, is a concern with infected insect bites in the community. Our providers consider local resistance patterns when selecting antibiotics for skin infections and may obtain wound cultures for infections that do not respond to initial treatment or that present with abscess formation requiring drainage.
While ticks are less common in urban South Florida compared to wooded areas of northern Florida, patients who visit parks, nature trails, and rural areas may encounter ticks. Proper tick removal is important to reduce the risk of disease transmission. Using fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible and pulling upward with steady, even pressure is the recommended technique. Avoid twisting, crushing, or using heat or chemicals on an attached tick.
At TrufaMED, we provide professional tick removal and evaluate patients for signs of tick-borne illness. After removal, we assess the type of tick, the estimated duration of attachment, and provide appropriate guidance regarding monitoring for symptoms. For patients at risk of Lyme disease or other tick-borne infections based on geographic exposure and tick type, we can initiate prophylactic antibiotic therapy per current clinical guidelines.
TrufaMED Urgent Care provides walk-in treatment for insect bites and stings at our clinic located at 9445 Harding Ave in Surfside, FL. Whether you are dealing with a painful sting, an allergic reaction, an infected bite, or a tick that needs removal, our board-certified physicians provide expert evaluation and treatment. We serve residents and visitors from Miami Beach, Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Sunny Isles Beach, Aventura, and the greater Miami-Dade area. No appointment is needed, and we accept most major insurance plans.
TrufaMED concierge members get 24/7 physician access, same-day appointments, and on-site diagnostics under one roof.
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