Insect bites and stings
Overview
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.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of an insect bite or sting are: pain where you were bitten or stunga small, swollen lump on the skin The lump may look red. It may be more difficult to see on black or brown skin, but you should be able to feel it. If there's nothing in your skin, or you've removed it, wash your skin with soap and water to help lower the chance of infection. The bite or sting should get better in a few days. There are some things you can do to ease your symptoms. 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 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 keep the area raised if you can take painkillers such asparacetamoloribuprofenif the sting is painful take painkillers such asparacetamoloribuprofenif 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 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 use a hydrocortisone cream to reduce itching and swelling do not scratch the bite or sting, as it could get infected 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 do not use home remedies such as bicarbonate of soda to treat the bite or sting
Treatment
You can often treat an insect bite or sting without seeing a GP.