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Insect bites and stings

Who do I see?

Community Pharmacy / Forres Treatment and Care Hub

Advice:

Most insect bites and stings are not serious and will get better within a few hours or days.

Please first follow the self-care advice at the NHS link below.

Seek further advice from your community pharmacy if needed.

A small amount of inflammation (redness, pain and swelling) around an insect bite is very common and does not indicate an infection or the need for antibiotics. This is caused by a localised allergic reaction to the bite and can be treated with antihistamines, anti-inflammatories (such as ibuprofen) if you can take these and simple pain relief.

If you need to seek further advice about a bite that you feel is not responding to self-care or your pharmacist is concerned about please submit an online medical consultation request for the Urgent Medical Problem Team giving us as much information about your problem as you can. Please also take and attach a photograph when requested. You will get a same-day response usually by telephone or a time to attend the surgery for further assessment and examination.

Further information about insect bites and stings is available from NHS inform.

If you cannot use the online service please call us on 0345 337 1120 and a member of the care navigation team will help you.