Infected insect bite: NHS Pharmacy First
If an insect bite or sting looks infected, a pharmacist can assess you through the NHS Pharmacy First service. The service is for people aged 1 and over. Video consultations are for people aged 16 and over; under-16s are seen in our Bury pharmacy.
The consultation is free. If you normally pay for prescriptions, the standard NHS prescription charge applies to any medicine supplied.
Who can use this service
You can use Pharmacy First if you are 1 or over and an insect bite or sting shows signs of infection, usually 48 hours or more after the bite.
The pharmacist will refer you to your GP or another service instead if, for example:
- it was a bite from a person, an animal or a tick
- the bite or sting is in your mouth or throat, or near your eye
- you have a reaction in the rest of your body, such as feeling very unwell, a high temperature or swollen glands
- you have a weakened immune system
Signs a bite is infected
- the area is getting more swollen and painful
- the skin feels hot or looks red (redness can be harder to see on brown or black skin)
- pus or fluid is coming out of the bite
- the redness is spreading
What happens in the consultation
The pharmacist asks about the bite, when it happened and your general health. By video, they look at it with you on camera. Depending on what they find, they may:
- give you self-care advice
- recommend a treatment you can buy
- supply an antibiotic, where clinically appropriate
- refer you to your GP or another service if you need further help
We tell your GP about your consultation on the same day or the next working day.
Things you can do to help
- wash the area with soap and water
- hold a cold compress or a wrapped ice pack on it for at least 20 minutes, and raise it if you can
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain
- don’t scratch it, and avoid home remedies such as bicarbonate of soda
A pharmacist can also suggest antihistamines or a cream for itching and swelling.
When to get urgent help
Call 999 if you have sudden swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue, difficulty breathing or swallowing, wheezing, skin or lips turning blue or grey, or sudden confusion or dizziness, or someone faints. These are signs of a serious allergic reaction.
Get an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if you were stung in the mouth or throat or near your eyes, you feel dizzy or are being sick, you have a high temperature and swollen glands, or your symptoms are getting worse. For a child under 5, call 111.
See your GP if a baby under 12 months has been bitten, or if you get flu-like symptoms or a bullseye rash after a tick bite.
Frequently asked questions
What should I put on an insect bite?
How long do insect bites last?
What does an infected insect bite look like?
Why do some insect bites blister?
Can my child use this service?
Speak to a pharmacist
Book a free NHS video consultation, call us on 0161 222 1024, or visit us at 46 Walmersley Road, Bury BL9 6DP. Video consultations: Monday to Friday 9am to 2pm and 3:30pm to 6pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 2pm and 3:30pm to 6pm. Pharmacy opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 2pm and 3:30pm to 7pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 2pm and 3:30pm to 6pm.
Book a free NHS video consultationNHS Pharmacy First at Bury Healthcare Pharmacy
Other conditions: Urinary tract infection (UTI) · Sore throat · Sinusitis · Impetigo · Shingles · Ear infection
This page is general information about an NHS service and does not replace advice from your GP. Sources: NHS website condition and contraception pages; NHS England Pharmacy First and Pharmacy Contraception Service specifications.