Infected Insect Bites

What are Infected Insect Bites?

Insect bites or stings are not usually serious and get better in a few days. But sometimes they can become infected or cause a serious allergic reaction.

Bites from some insects can also cause illnesses, such as Lyme disease from ticks, scabies from mites, and malaria from mosquitoes in certain parts of the world.

How to know if it is an insect bite or sting?

The main symptoms of an insect bite or sting are:

• pain where you were bitten or stung
• a small, swollen lump on the skin

The lump may look red. It may be more difficult to see on darker skin, but you should be able to feel it.

Easing your symptoms

If there is nothing in your skin. Our you’ve removed it, wash your skin with soap and water to help lower the chance of infection.

The bite of sting should get better in a few days. There are some things you can do to ease your symptoms

Do:

• Put an ice pack wrapped in a cloth or a clean cloth soaked in cold water on the bite or sting for at least 20 minutes, if it’s swollen
• Keep the area raised if you can
• Take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if the sting is painful
• Use antihistamines to relieve any itching (but do not use antihistamine cream if you had caterpillar hairs on your skin)
• Use a hydrocortisone cream to reduce itching and swelling.

Don’t:

• Do not scratch the bite or sting, as it could get infected
• Do not use home remedies such as bicarbonate of soda to treat the bite or sting.

Treating Infected Insect Bites

You can book a free appointment with one of our pharmacists today and get assessed and treated remotely or you can walk-in to our Manchester city centre branch and have a free consultation with one of our pharmacists.