Infected Insect Bites

When to book treatment for an infected insect bite

Most bites cause only mild irritation. Come in for a same-day Pharmacy First assessment if a bite shows signs of infection:

• Redness spreading around the bite, sometimes in streaks
• Swelling, warmth and pain that worsen over time
• Pus or discharge from the bite
• No improvement, or getting worse, after a few days
• Swollen glands near the affected area
• A high temperature or feeling generally unwell

Seek urgent medical help for a severe allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat or dizziness, if red lines are spreading towards your body, if you develop a very high temperature, or if the infection is worsening despite antibiotics.

Why bites become infected

Bites become infected when bacteria enter the skin through the wound, usually after scratching or picking. Common biting insects in the UK include mosquitoes, midges, horseflies, fleas, bedbugs and ticks. Mosquito bites cause small round itchy bumps, horsefly bites are larger and slower to heal, flea bites appear in clusters on the legs and ankles, and tick bites can go unnoticed at first, so remove ticks carefully with a tick removal tool. Bee and wasp stings can also become infected if scratched, and a bee stinger should be scraped out as soon as possible.

Children are especially prone to infected bites because they find it hard not to scratch. Keeping their nails short helps, and we can recommend child-friendly antihistamines and bite relief products.

How infected bites are treated

• Mild infection - a topical antibiotic cream such as fusidic acid, applied three times daily for five to seven days
• Moderate to severe infection - oral antibiotics such as flucloxacillin, usually for seven days
• Pain, swelling and itching - paracetamol or ibuprofen, plus antihistamines

Through NHS Pharmacy First, our pharmacists can prescribe these directly, with no wait for a GP appointment.

Self-care and prevention

Clean the bite with soap and water as soon as possible, apply a wrapped cold pack for 10 minutes to reduce swelling, avoid scratching, use antihistamine or hydrocortisone cream for itching and inflammation, and keep the area clean and dry.

To avoid bites, use repellent containing DEET or picaridin, cover up with long sleeves and trousers, keep windows closed in the evening or use nets, avoid strong fragrances, check for ticks after walking in grass or woodland, and use plug-ins or citronella outdoors. Travelling to the tropics? We can advise on repellents and antimalarial medication.

Find infected insect bite treatment near you

No appointment needed, same-day assessment, NHS Pharmacy First prescribing, and a full range of bite relief products. Use the postcode search above to find your nearest Allied Pharmacy.