People in the Black Country are being reminded how to treat insect bites or stings this summer.
Insect bites and stings can occur at any time of the year, but as the weather gets warmer and people spend more time outdoors the chances of getting bitten or stung increases.
Most insect bites and stings are not serious and will get better within a few hours or days. However, sometimes they can become infected or cause a serious allergic reaction.
An insect bite or sting often causes a small, red lump on the skin which may be painful or itchy. There are multiple ways to treat a sting or bite, including:
• Removing the sting or hairs if still in the skin
• Washing the affected area with soap and water
• Applying a cold compress or an ice pack to any swelling for at least 10 minutes
• Raising or elevating the affected area, if possible, as this can help reduce swelling
• Avoiding scratching the area or bursting any blisters to reduce the risk of infection
• Avoiding traditional home remedies such as vinegar and bicarbonate of soda as they are
unlikely to help.
The NHS has created a short video on what to do if you have an insect bite or sting this summer. You can watch the video on YouTube here.
Liz Corrigan, General Practice Nurse System Lead for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board features in the video and said: “With the warm weather that summer brings, many people spend more time outdoors and wear less clothes, so inevitably we see an increase in insect bites and stings.
“Most bites and stings clear up on their own, but some can be very painful and take a while to heal. There are over the counter treatments and remedies available from local pharmacies to make this more bearable, such as painkillers, creams for itching and antihistamines.
“There are also some simple precautions you can take to reduce your risk of being bitten or stung by insects during the summer months. This includes remaining calm and moving away slowly if you encounter wasps, hornets or bees, covering exposed skin by wearing long sleeves and trousers, wearing shoes when outdoors and applying insect repellent to exposed skin.”
For more advice about what treatments and pain relief you can take for your bites or stings, it’s best to speak to your local pharmacist – they are highly trained medical professionals, and no appointment is necessary.
If you’ve been bitten or stung by an insect and your symptoms are getting worse, visit NHS 111 online or call NHS 111 which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Very rarely, people can have extreme allergic reactions, such as difficulty breathing and wheezing. These are medical emergencies, and you should call 999.
For more information on insect bites and stings, visit the NHS website here.
To find your nearest pharmacy and check opening times, visit here.
