Insect bites and stings

DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/600586/view

Insect bites and stings

Insect bites and stings are common and usually only cause minor irritation.

Some stings can be painful and may trigger an allergic reaction.

Symptoms of insect bites and stings

The main symptoms of an insect bite or sting are:

• pain where you were stung or bitten
• a small, swollen lump on the skin
• redness
• itching

These symptoms will usually continue for a few days after the bite or sting.

Types of insect bites and stings

There are many types of insect bites and stings. These have different symptoms.

Flea bite

Flea bites can cause small red spots on the skin. These may be grouped in clusters or lines. Sometimes itchy red lumps can form too.

Flea bites are usually found around the ankles. They can also be on the forearms if you’ve been stroking or holding your pet.

Midge, mosquito and gnat bite

Bites from midges, mosquitoes and gnats cause small papules (lumps) to form on the skin. These are usually very itchy.

If you’re particularly sensitive to insect bites, you may develop:

• bullae – fluid-filled blisters
• weals – circular, fluid-filled areas surrounding the bite

Mosquito bites in certain areas of tropical countries can cause malaria.

Bedbug bite

Bites from bedbugs aren’t usually painful but you may get a red lump on the skin. This can be itchy or irritating.

Tick bite

Tick bites aren’t usually painful but you may get a red lump where you were bitten.

In some cases, they may also cause:

• swelling
• itching
• blisters
• bruising

Ticks can carry a bacterial infection that causes Lyme disease. Many people with early symptoms of Lyme disease develop a circular rash around the tick bite.

Lyme disease can be serious if it isn’t treated.

Watch a tick bite to see if a rash develops. A tick bites can cause a spreading rash or a bullseye rash.

Horsefly bite

A bite from a horsefly can be very painful. It can cause a weal (swollen mark) around the bite.

You may also experience:

• hives
• dizziness
• weakness
• wheezing
• angioedema – itchy, pale pink or red swellings

Horsefly bites can take a long time to heal and can cause an infection.

Bee and wasp sting

A bee, wasp or hornet sting causes sharp pain in the area that was stung. This usually only lasts a few seconds.

A swollen red mark will often form on your skin, which can be itchy and painful.

You can remove a sting using your fingers. You can also brush it out using something with a hard edge like a bank card. Do not use tweezers to remove a sting as this could squeeze the venom from it. You should also wash the area with soap and water.

Mite bite

Mites can cause very itchy lumps and blisters on the skin. They will bite any uncovered skin.

Spider bite

It’s rare to get a spider bite in the UK. Spider bites leave small puncture marks on the skin. This can be painful and may cause redness and swelling.

Phone 999 if:

You or someone else has an insect bite or sting and:

• your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• you’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
• your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
• your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• someone faints and cannot be woken up
• a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)

You or the person who’s unwell may also have a rash that’s swollen, raised or itchy. These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

When to see a pharmacist

A pharmacist can advise you about medicines that can help ease the symptoms of a bite or sting like:

• antihistamines
• steroid creams
• painkillers

They can also provide other treatments if you need them, without you seeing a GP.

Phone 111 or make an urgent appointment at your GP practice if:

You or someone else has an insect bite or sting and:

• your symptoms are getting worse
• you were stung in your mouth, throat or near your eyes
• you have tummy pain and are being sick
• you feel dizzy or lightheaded
• a large area around the bite or sting becomes red and swollen
• you have a high temperature and swollen glands
• you were stung more than once
• you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to an insect bite or sting before
• joint pain, swelling and a rash develop several hours after a sting

Treatment for insect bites and stings

Most insect bites and stings only cause a small reaction that can be treated at home.

Do

• wash the area with soap and water
• place a cloth soaked in cold water over the area
• take a painkiller like paracetamol or ibuprofen if the area is painful or swollen
• take an antihistamine to help reduce swelling
• use a mild hydrocortisone cream on the affected area to prevent itching and swelling

Don’t

• do not scratch the area as it could get infected
• do not use home remedies to treat the bite or sting

Preventing insect bites and stings

There are things you can do to help prevent insect bites and stings.

If you come across wasps, hornets or bees don’t panic or wave your arms around. You should move away slowly.

If you’re outside:

• cover your skin with long sleeved clothing and shoes
• use insect repellent
• keep food covered
• avoid using strong perfumes that can attract insects

You should also keep your windows closed to stop insects getting indoors.

If you want to go camping, avoid areas near water like lochs or rivers.

Managing infestations

If you have been bitten by fleas or mites, you may have an infestation in your home. To manage this, you should:

• speak to a vet about treatments for your pet
• treat bedding, carpets and soft furnishings with insecticide
• vacuum carpets and soft furnishings

Bedbug infestations will need to be treated with insecticide. A pest control company will need to do this for you.

Travelling abroad

There’s a risk of catching diseases like malaria from insect bites in certain parts of the world. This includes Africa, Asia and South America.

You may need to take antimalarial tablets to avoid becoming infected.

Insect bites and stings

Bites from some insects can also cause illnesses, such as Lyme disease from ticks, scabies from mites, and malaria from mosquitoes in certain parts of the world.

Check if it’s an insect bite or sting

The main symptoms of an insect bite or sting are:

• pain where you were bitten or stung
• a small, swollen lump on the skin

The lump may look red. It may be more difficult to see on black or brown skin, but you should be able to feel it.

There may be a mark on your skin where you were bitten or stung.

LOUISE MURRAY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/263861/view

Sometimes you may have lots of bites grouped together in a small area.

Jim W. Grace/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/618964/view

You may have a mild allergic reaction, where the skin becomes itchy and raised around the bite or sting.

The area may become more swollen and painful if the bite or sting gets infected.

DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/93800/view

Pictures of common insect bites, stings and rashes

Bee, wasp and hornet stings

A bee, wasp or hornet sting will usually leave a small mark where the stinger entered the skin. Sometimes the stinger may be stuck in your skin.

LOUISE MURRAY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/263861/view

Mosquito bites

Mosquito bites are usually small, raised and itchy.

Tick bites

Ticks are small spider-like creatures that attach themselves to the skin.

DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/575711/view

A rash that looks like a bullseye is a symptom of Lyme disease caused by a tick bite.

CDC/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/95650/view

Horsefly bites

Horsefly bites are large, painful and may bleed. They often become infected.

John Devlin / Alamy Stock Photo: https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-horse-fly-bite-on-the-back-of-the-ankle-at-billingham-in-teesside-27738711.html?pv=1&stamp=2&imageid=F1DD44F6-1494-44A0-8859-36DB2F729AEB&p=55475&n=0&orientation=0&pn=1&searchtype=0&IsFromSearch=1&srch=foo%3Dbar%26st%3D0%26sortby%3D2%26qt%3DBH3H07%26qt_raw%3DBH3H07%26qn%3D%26lic%3D3%26edrf%3D0%26mr%3D0%26pr%3D0%26aoa%3D1%26creative%3D%26videos%3D%26nu%3D%26ccc%3D%26bespoke%3D%26apalib%3D%26ag%3D0%26hc%3D0%26et%3D0x000000000000000000000%26vp%3D0%26loc%3D0%26ot%3D0%26imgt%3D0%26dtfr%3D%26dtto%3D%26size%3D0xFF%26blackwhite%3D%26cutout%3D%26archive%3D1%26name%3D%26groupid%3D%26pseudoid%3D731695%26userid%3D%26id%3D%26a%3D%26xstx%3D0%26cbstore%3D1%26resultview%3DsortbyPopular%26lightbox%3D%26gname%3D%26gtype%3D%26apalic%3D%26tbar%3D1%26pc%3D%26simid%3D%26cap%3D1%26customgeoip%3D%26vd%3D0%26cid%3D%26pe%3D%26so%3D%26lb%3D%26pl%3D0%26plno%3D%26fi%3D0%26langcode%3Den%26upl%3D0%26cufr%3D%26cuto%3D%26howler%3D%26cvrem%3D0%26cvtype%3D0%26cvloc%3D0%26cl%3D0%26upfr%3D%26upto%3D%26primcat%3D%26seccat%3D%26cvcategory%3D*%26restriction%3D%26random%3D%26ispremium%3D1%26flip%3D0%26contributorqt%3D%26plgalleryno%3D%26plpublic%3D0%26viewaspublic%3D0%26isplcurate%3D0%26imageurl%3D%26saveQry%3D%26editorial%3D1%26t%3D0%26edoptin%3D

Midge bites

Midge bites are usually small and raised in groups.

DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/600586/view

Mite bites

Mite bites cause very itchy lumps on the skin and sometimes cause blisters.

Jim W. Grace/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/618964/view

Flea bites

Flea bites are usually found in groups below the knees.

DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/263755/view

Information:

If you’re not sure it’s an insect bite or sting

• Find out about other causes of itchy skin
• Find out about common rashes in babies and children

What to do if you’ve been bitten or stung by an insect

You can often treat an insect bite or sting without seeing a GP.

Removing stingers, ticks or caterpillars

If anything is left on or in your skin, the first thing you need to do is remove it carefully.

How to remove a bee, wasp or hornet stinger

1. Brush or scrape the stinger sideways with your fingernail or the edge of a bank card.
2. Do not use tweezers to pull out a stinger as you could squeeze poison out of it.
3. Wash the area with soap and water.

How to remove a tick

1. Using fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool (if you have one), grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
2. Slowly pull upwards, taking care not to squeeze the tick or leave any of its mouth in your skin. Dispose of it when you’ve removed it.
3. Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water.

Shotshop GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo Image no longer available for purchase but license expires: 09th May 2028

How to remove caterpillar hairs

1. Gently remove the caterpillar using tweezers or a pen. Try not to disturb it as it’ll release more hairs.
2. Rinse your skin with running water and allow it to air dry.
3. Use sticky tape on the skin to pick up any remaining hairs.
4. Take off any jewellery in case your skin becomes swollen.
5. Take off your clothes and wash them at a high temperature.

Easing your symptoms

If there’s nothing in your skin, or you’ve removed it, wash your skin with soap and water to help lower the chance of infection.

The bite or sting should get better in a few days. There are some things you can do to ease your symptoms.

Don’t

A pharmacist can help with insect bites and stings

A pharmacist can advise you about medicines that can help ease the symptoms of a bite or sting, such as:

• antihistamines
• steroid creams
• painkillers

They can also provide other treatments if you need them, without you seeing a GP.

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

You’ve been bitten or stung by an insect and:

• your symptoms get worse or are not getting any better
• you were stung in your mouth or throat, or near your eyes
• you have tummy pain and are being sick
• you feel dizzy or lightheaded
• a large area around the bite or sting becomes red and swollen
• you have a high temperature and swollen glands
• you were stung more than once
• you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to an insect bite or sting before

Immediate action required: Call 999 if:

• your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• you’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
• your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
• your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• someone faints and cannot be woken up
• a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)

You or the person who’s unwell may also have a rash that’s swollen, raised or itchy.

These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

Page last reviewed: 01 June 2023
Next review due: 01 June 2026

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