Pharmacy First condition
Infected Insect Bites
An insect bite or sting that has become infected.
Most insect bites and stings are harmless and settle in a few days, but sometimes the skin around a bite becomes infected. Through NHS Pharmacy First, our pharmacist in Timperley can assess an infected bite without a GP appointment.
Normal reaction versus infection
It is normal for a bite to be red, itchy and a little swollen for a day or two. Signs that a bite may have become infected include redness that spreads and increases after a couple of days, growing pain or swelling, warmth, pus, or feeling generally unwell with a temperature.
What the pharmacist can do
The pharmacist looks at the affected area, asks about your symptoms and history, and explains whether it looks infected. Where it is clinically appropriate under the NHS pathway, treatment can be supplied directly. If the infection is spreading or you feel unwell, they will arrange the right onward care.
Self-care
For an ordinary bite, keeping the area clean, avoiding scratching, and using a cold compress and simple itch relief usually helps. The pharmacist can recommend suitable products and tell you what warning signs to watch for.
When to seek urgent help
Seek urgent help if redness spreads quickly, you feel very unwell or feverish, or there are any signs of a severe allergic reaction such as swelling of the face, lips or throat, or difficulty breathing — call 999 for these.
Symptoms
Increasing redness, warmth, swelling or pain around a bite, sometimes with pus or a spreading rash.
What the pharmacist can do
The pharmacist assesses the bite, advises on care, and where appropriate provides NHS treatment without a GP appointment.
When to see a GP or seek urgent help
Seek urgent help for a spreading infection, feeling generally unwell, a high temperature, or any sign of a severe allergic reaction.