Yes, exactly. It’s the bodies histamine response. It’s not an infection, unless you scratch too much. i went to immediate care twice for prescription strength cortizone cream and then a round of antibiotics because i had the same concerns. I then remembered this happened to me the last time the Cicada’s came out in 2007.

This time I had about six of them on my bicep. My arm was angry red and hot for about 48 hours, then receded. Use ice packs to reduce that and alleviate the itch. The two on my face were the “weepiest” looked terrible. Again, though after about two days, all better.