I made the mistake of picking away at a bug bite. What im asking is after I clean it is it better to let it "breath" or bandage?

That seems really large for a bug bite. Is the red part inflammation? Does it feel warmer to the touch than the surrounding skin?

Certainly put on a triple antibiotic ointment and a small band-aid (not too tight) to protect the area from any more roving finger-nails. It should start to calm down in a day or so. If not, you might want to have someone look at it.

(whether and breathe. Not too late to edit.)

If it is red and yellow, it is probably infected and you should have a Dr or CNP clean it out and give you some antibiotics.

You should put some neosporin or any fragrance-free dye-free lotion on it, and then cover with a bandage. Research for the last 30 years has shown that moist wound healing is most effective. Wounds do NOT need to “breathe”. That’s not my opinion, it’s a fact. Wounds don’t have lungs and don’t need air. Keeping dirt, dust, make-up, and bacteria out of the wound are what you should be concerned about.

Here’s one link for more info, but be warned there are graphic photos of wounds.