Pharmacist ideas for treating the commonest insect bites and stings

Claire Nevinson, the Superintendent Pharmacist at Boots, mentioned: “Insect bites and stings can be uncomfortable and irritating.

“But, fortuitously, they’re normally nothing to fret about and may be simply handled.”

If you have been stung by a wasp, there would have been a sharp feeling of pain, followed by a swollen red mark.

The area might be sore and itchy, and a wasp sting can lead to a minor allergic reaction.

An allergic reaction will show up as painful, red and swollen skin that could last for up to a week.

“A bee sting feels related, however the sting may be left within the wound,” said Nevinson.

“If this happens, this needs to be eliminated as quickly as doable utilizing tweezers, earlier than washing the realm with cleaning soap and water.”

Nevinson added: “If there’s swelling, apply a chilly compress similar to an ice pack, or flannel soaked in chilly water, for no less than 10 minutes and the place doable, elevate the affected space to assist cut back any swelling.”

As for mosquito bites, which can be annoying and itchy, you can reduce your risk of getting them in the first place by covering up exposed skin.

“It is advisable to attempt to cowl uncovered pores and skin if spending time outdoor, particularly on the time of day when mosquitoes are most definitely to be extra lively, together with dawn or sundown,” said Nevinson.

“There are a number of insect repellent merchandise accessible which, when used based on their directions, will help cut back the danger of being bitten.”

Then there are ticks which, on rare occasions, could lead to Lyme disease.

Lyme disease appears as a “pink or crimson round rash” around the bite mark.

“If you have been bitten by a tick, you must attempt to take away the tick as quickly as doable,” advised Nevinson.

You can do this by “utilizing fine-toothed tweezers to softly grip the tick as near the pores and skin as doable, earlier than pulling steadily away from the pores and skin”.

Nevinson added: “You ought to then wash your pores and skin with water and cleaning soap afterwards and apply an antiseptic cream to the pores and skin across the chunk.”

Bites from a horsefly are also a risk in summer, which can lead to a raised rash, dizziness, weakness, and wheezing.

“Horsefly bites can take a while to heal and might change into contaminated,” said Nevinson.

“If you assume the chunk has change into contaminated, which can present as elevated ache, redness, swelling and there could also be pus coming from the chunk wound, you must see your GP right away.”