Insect bites are treated in the same way as insect stings, except you don't have to worry about scraping off a stinger. If any symptoms of a generalised allergic reaction developīook a private appointment with a local pharmacist today to discover treatment options Book now Insect bites How do you treat insect bites? Wheezing or breathing difficulty, due to an asthma attack or the throat swelling.Ī severe generalised reaction will usually develop within 10 minutes of a sting.Low blood pressure, which can make you feel faint or even cause you to collapse.Dilation of the blood vessels, which can cause:.Tummy (abdominal) cramps and feeling sick.Swelling of your face, which may extend to the lips, tongue, throat and upper airway.
#Bug bites that itch skin
Itchy skin in many parts of the body, followed by an itchy blotchy rash that can appear anywhere on the body.A small number of people die every year as a result of this kind of severe reaction, usually because they do not obtain medical treatment quickly enough. This severe reaction is called anaphylaxis and without quick treatment you would soon become unconscious. Only in a small proportion of these is the reaction severe. About a quarter of people who are stung by a wasp or bee have some kind of allergic reaction. This is an uncommon but more serious reaction to an insect sting (and occasionally an insect bite). Stings are more likely to cause a serious allergic reaction, the treatment for which is described below. The treatment for insect stings is pretty much the same as for bites. Your doctor may prescribe a short course of steroid tablets to counter the inflammation. See a doctor if the swelling is severe.Continue with antihistamines until the swelling eases.Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help to ease the pain.For example, use a cold flannel or an ice pack. Use a cold compress to ease pain and to help reduce swelling.Antihistamines block the action of histamine, which is a chemical that is released by certain cells in the body during allergic reactions. You can buy these at pharmacies, or obtain them on prescription. Take an antihistamine tablet as soon as possible.If you develop a localised allergic reaction: However, if it is severe, the skin may break out in blisters. The swelling is not dangerous unless it affects your airway. The swelling may even extend up an entire arm or leg. The size of the swelling can vary but can become many centimetres across. This will probably become larger over several hours and then gradually go away over a few days. If you aren't severely allergic (you can find out more about severe allergic reactions below), you will notice swelling at the site of the sting. Some people are allergic to insect stings. If you are stung by a wasp, treat the local skin reaction as above. Wasps do not leave a stinger in the skin when they sting. Do not try to grab the sting to pluck it out, as this may squeeze more venom into the skin.The quicker you remove the sting the better so use anything suitable to scrape out the sting quickly.Use the edge of a knife, the edge of a credit card, a fingernail, or anything similar. Scrape out a bee sting left in the skin as quickly as possible.
If the stinger is still in place - scrape it out: If you are stung by a bee, treat the mild skin reaction as above. A pharmacist can advise on which types of antihistamine are sedative and can help with sleep In particular, a sedative antihistamine at night may help if the itch is interfering with sleep.
Dr Sarah Jarvis MBE Insect stings What is the treatment for an insect sting?