Insect bites and strings | Health advice

Insect bites

Insect bites and stings usually result in a red raised patch of skin. They can be extremely itchy and the inflammation can cause discomfort. Most insect bites and stings, though unpleasant, are not serious and can be easily treated, with the symptoms normally improving within a few hours or days.

Bugs that bite or sting include wasps, hornets, bees, horseflies, ticks, mosquitoes, fleas, bedbugs, spiders and midges.

person bending down scratching bites on leg

How to treat bug bites

Our pharmacy team can recommend treatments that can ease your symptoms. Antihistamine tablets, or cream, or a hydrocortisone cream can help clear up the bites and ease the itching.

Our pharmacist is on hand with advice if you’re worried about a bite or sting. Occasionally bites can become infected, cause an allergic reaction or spread illnesses such as Lyme disease and malaria. If a severe allergic reaction occurs, causing symptoms such as breathing difficulties, dizziness and a swollen face or mouth, you need immediate medical treatment.

How to avoid bug bites

By taking some simple precautions this summer you can reduce your risk of being bitten or stung. These include things like applying insect repellent to exposed skin, covering as much exposed skin as possible with long sleeves/trousers, avoiding the use of products with strong smells like perfumes, shampoos etc., as well as, remaining calm and slowly moving away from insects that do bite.

Travel Advice

Packing can be stressful enough without the dreaded feeling that you've forgotten something. Our checklist can help ease the stress.

You may need to take extra precautions if you're travelling to part of the world where there's a risk of serious illnesses. Our pharmacist can advise you on what, if any, travel vaccinations you may need before travelling.