Insect bites and stings

Care for bites and stings from insects and ticks — most settle with simple self-care, but some reactions, infections and severe allergic reactions need medical help.

✓ Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant · last reviewed September 2026 · next review September 2027 · how we review

In short

Most bites and stings are harmless and settle within days with simple self-care — cooling, antihistamines and not scratching.
Scrape a bee sting out sideways (don't squeeze with tweezers); remove a tick promptly with fine tweezers, pulling straight up.
See a pharmacist or GP for signs of infection, a large reaction, or a tick bite followed by a spreading rash or flu-like illness (possible Lyme disease).
A severe allergic reaction (trouble breathing, throat/face swelling, dizziness, collapse) is a 999 emergency — use adrenaline if available; do not travel to a clinic.

A plain-English summary. The detail — including risks and recovery — is below.

At a glance

TypeMedical treatment / urgent care

AnaestheticNot applicable

How long it takesSelf-care advice takes minutes; most bites settle over days

Hospital stayUsually managed at home or by a pharmacist; no hospital stay for minor bites

Time off workUsually none

When you'll see resultsMost bites and stings improve within a few days to a week

On the NHS?Pharmacists and GPs cover bites and stings. For urgent non-life-threatening advice, use NHS 111 in England, Scotland or Wales; in Northern Ireland, contact your GP out-of-hours service or your HSC Trust's Phone First service. Severe allergic reactions are 999/A&E. Private walk-in clinics handle only minor cases.

A general guide. Your specialist will give you advice for your situation.

Best fit

Simple self-care relieves itching, pain and swelling while the bite heals.

Pause if

A private walk-in clinic is not the place for a severe allergic reaction — that is always 999/A&E.

Main recovery point

Remove any sting, cool the area, raise it if possible, and take an antihistamine. Pain from a sting usually eases within a few hours.

Good aftercare

Clear self-care advice and the warning signs that mean seeking help.

First hours

Remove any sting, cool the area, raise it if possible, and take an antihistamine. Pain from a sting usually eases...

First few days

Itching and a lump are normal. Keep using antihistamines and try not to scratch. Watch for spreading redness or...

Within a week or two

Most bites and stings have settled. A tick-bite area should be watched for up to several weeks for a spreading...

If symptoms persist

See a pharmacist or GP if a bite isn't improving, looks infected, or you feel unwell after a tick bite.

Medical line illustration of skin assessment with a dermatoscope for Insect bites and stings. — Illustration only - not a diagnosis, medical advice or a promise of result. Your anatomy and treatment plan may differ. Vuemedics does not publish before-and-after photos.

What is the treatment for insect bites and stings?

Most insect bites and stings in the UK are harmless and cause a small, itchy or painful lump that settles on its own within days. Common culprits include mosquitoes, midges, horseflies, bees, wasps and ticks.

Simple self-care is usually all that's needed: remove a bee sting, cool the area, take an antihistamine for itching, and don't scratch. A pharmacist can recommend treatments for itching, swelling and pain.

Sometimes a bite needs more attention — if it becomes infected, if there's a large local reaction, if a tick bite leads to a spreading 'bullseye' rash or flu-like illness (possible Lyme disease), or if someone has a severe allergic reaction.

The most important thing to recognise is anaphylaxis. A few people — especially those allergic to bee or wasp venom — can have a severe, whole-body reaction with trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness or collapse. That is a 999 emergency: use an adrenaline auto-injector if available and call 999. Do not drive to a clinic.

Types, options & approaches

There may be different ways to do this. The right approach depends on the clinical question and your circumstances.

Bites (mosquito, midge, horsefly, flea)

Cause small, itchy lumps. Horsefly bites can be more painful and slower to heal. Treated by cooling, antihistamines and avoiding scratching to prevent infection.

Stings (bee, wasp, hornet)

Painful and may swell. Scrape a bee sting out sideways with a fingernail or card edge (don't squeeze it). Cool the area and use pain relief and antihistamines as needed.

Tick bites

Ticks attach to the skin and can rarely carry Lyme disease. Remove promptly with fine-tipped tweezers, gripping close to the skin and pulling straight up without squeezing the body. Watch for a spreading 'bullseye' rash or flu-like symptoms.

Large local reaction

A bigger area of swelling, redness and itching around a bite or sting that is uncomfortable but not a whole-body allergic reaction. May benefit from antihistamines and, sometimes, a short course of steroid on medical advice.

Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

A rare but life-threatening reaction, most often to bee or wasp stings, with breathing difficulty, throat or facial swelling, dizziness or collapse. Needs adrenaline and 999 immediately.

Normal reaction vs needs urgent help

	Usually self-care	Get urgent help
Skin	Small itchy/painful lump	Spreading redness, pus, fever (infection)
Swelling	Local, settles in days	Face, lips, tongue or throat swelling
Breathing	Normal	Wheeze or difficulty breathing
After a tick	Tiny mark	'Bullseye' rash or flu-like illness
How you feel	Mildly irritated	Faint, dizzy, collapsing

Breathing difficulty, throat or facial swelling, dizziness or collapse after a sting is anaphylaxis — call 999 and use adrenaline if available. Do not wait.

Preparing for your treatment

For a bee sting, remove it quickly by scraping sideways with a fingernail or the edge of a card — don't use tweezers, which can squeeze in more venom.
For a tick, use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool, grip close to the skin, and pull straight up without twisting or crushing the body.
Have antihistamines, a cold pack and simple painkillers at home for the insect season.
If you have a known venom allergy, carry two in-date adrenaline auto-injectors and know when to use them.
Note the date of a tick bite and watch the area for several weeks for a spreading rash.
Tell a pharmacist about any other conditions or medicines before buying treatments, and check what's suitable for young children.

What happens

For most bites and stings, treatment is simple self-care. Remove a bee sting promptly, then put something cold (a cold flannel or wrapped ice pack) on the area to reduce swelling, and raise the area if you can. Take an antihistamine for itching and swelling, and paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain. Try hard not to scratch, as broken skin can become infected.

A pharmacist can recommend antihistamines, soothing creams and painkillers, and advise when to see a GP.

If a bite looks infected (spreading redness, heat, swelling, pus) a clinician may prescribe antibiotics. For a large local reaction, a short course of antihistamine — and occasionally steroid — may be advised. After a tick bite with a spreading rash or flu-like symptoms, a GP may treat for Lyme disease, often with antibiotics.

For a severe allergic reaction, the treatment is adrenaline and emergency 999 care — exactly as for anaphylaxis from any cause.

Is this treatment right for me?

A good consultation should explore whether it's the right choice for you now — including reasons to wait or consider something else.

May not be suitable if…

A private walk-in clinic is not the place for a severe allergic reaction — that is always 999/A&E.
Self-care alone is not enough for a bite that looks infected, a large spreading reaction, or illness after a tick bite.
Antihistamine creams and tablets do not treat anaphylaxis and must not be relied on for it.
Routine antibiotics are not suitable for an ordinary, uninfected bite.

Delay or rearrange if…

Never delay a 999 call or adrenaline for a severe allergic reaction.
Allergy testing after a reaction is usually timed by a specialist, not done in the acute phase.
Seek prompt, not delayed, review if a bite is becoming infected or you feel unwell.
After a tick bite, don't wait to seek advice if a spreading rash or flu-like illness appears.

Alternatives to discuss

Pharmacist-led self-care for most minor bites and stings.
GP assessment for infection, large reactions or Lyme disease concerns.
Antihistamines, cool compresses and simple painkillers rather than prescription treatment for minor cases.
Allergy clinic referral and venom immunotherapy for proven severe sting allergy.
Bite prevention (repellents, covering up, checking for ticks) rather than treatment.

Before you decide

Use this as a shared-decision checklist. The aim is not just “can this be done?”, but whether it is right for you, now, with the risks and alternatives clearly understood.

What matters most to me?

Think about symptoms, daily life, work, caring responsibilities, sport, fertility, travel, appearance and anxiety — the right choice depends on your priorities, not just the medical facts.

What are all my options?

Ask about waiting, monitoring, medicines, rehabilitation, a smaller or larger procedure, a different test, NHS referral, or a second opinion where that would help.

What would make me pause?

Active infection, pregnancy, unstable medical problems, smoking, medicines that increase bleeding, poor support at home, or feeling pressured are all reasons to slow down and get tailored advice.

What happens if I do nothing today?

For some problems, waiting is safe; for others, delay can make treatment harder. A good consultation should explain the trade-off in plain English.

Benefits

Simple self-care relieves itching, pain and swelling while the bite heals.
Removing a sting or tick promptly reduces venom or infection risk.
Recognising infection early means it can be treated before it spreads.
Spotting Lyme disease signs after a tick bite allows early antibiotic treatment.
Knowing the anaphylaxis warning signs can save a life.

Risks & complications

More common

Itching, redness and a lump that can last several days.
Mild swelling around the bite or sting.
Discomfort or soreness, especially after a wasp or horsefly bite.

Less common

A large local reaction with more extensive swelling and redness.
Skin infection from scratching or a broken sting site, sometimes needing antibiotics.
Lyme disease after a tick bite, which can cause a spreading rash and flu-like illness.
Other tick- or insect-borne infections, which are uncommon in the UK.

Rare but serious

Anaphylaxis — a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction, most often to bee or wasp venom.
Serious spreading skin infection (cellulitis) needing urgent treatment.
Stings inside the mouth or throat causing dangerous swelling.

The biggest concern is a severe allergic reaction, which is rare but life-threatening and needs adrenaline and 999 straight away. The next is infection from scratching, and Lyme disease after a tick bite. If you've ever had a strong reaction to a sting, ask your GP about referral for venom allergy testing and whether you should carry adrenaline.

Published figures to discuss

Most bites and stings cause no serious problem, so precise complication rates aren't meaningful for routine care. Severe allergic reactions to venom are uncommon, and the chance of Lyme disease after a tick bite is low in most of the UK but varies by area. Because these depend heavily on the person and the setting, we use cautious, qualitative wording rather than invented percentages.

Figure	Reported range	How to interpret it	Source / confidence
Large local reaction after insect sting	Common and can last several days	Large swelling is uncomfortable but is not the same as anaphylaxis unless breathing, circulation or widespread symptoms occur.	Guide sourcesClinical context
Anaphylaxis after bee or wasp sting	Rare but potentially fatal	Breathing difficulty, throat swelling, faintness or collapse needs adrenaline and 999.	Guide sourcesClinical context
Cellulitis being overdiagnosed after bites	Common practical issue	Itch and redness are often inflammatory; spreading heat, pain, fever or systemic illness makes infection more likely.	UK Health Security Agency — Tick awareness and removalgov.ukSource-linked context
Lyme disease after tick bite	Uncommon overall, higher in known tick areas	An expanding bullseye or oval rash, flu-like symptoms or neurological symptoms after tick exposure need assessment.	Guide sourcesClinical context

These are literature figures, not a personalised prediction. Your own risks and likely benefits depend on your circumstances, your health, and how your care is carried out and followed up.

What happens afterwards

Most bites and stings settle within a few days to a week with simple care. The main thing is to relieve the itch, avoid scratching, and watch for the small number of bites that become infected or trigger a bigger reaction.

First hours

Remove any sting, cool the area, raise it if possible, and take an antihistamine. Pain from a sting usually eases within a few hours.

First few days

Itching and a lump are normal. Keep using antihistamines and try not to scratch. Watch for spreading redness or signs of infection.

Within a week or two

Most bites and stings have settled. A tick-bite area should be watched for up to several weeks for a spreading 'bullseye' rash.

If symptoms persist

See a pharmacist or GP if a bite isn't improving, looks infected, or you feel unwell after a tick bite.

What's normal — and not a worry

An itchy lump that lasts a few days and gradually fades.
Mild local swelling and redness around the bite.
Some soreness after a sting that eases within hours.
A small mark where a tick was removed.

Aftercare

Put something cold on the area and raise it to ease swelling.
Take antihistamines for itching and simple painkillers for pain if needed.
Try not to scratch — broken skin can get infected.
Keep the area clean; use a soothing cream if a pharmacist recommends one.
Watch a tick-bite site for several weeks for a spreading rash, and note the date.
Seek help if it looks infected, the swelling is large, or you feel unwell.
If you've had a severe reaction before, keep your adrenaline auto-injectors with you.

Before your treatment

Antihistamines at home
Cold pack ready
Simple painkillers available
Fine-tipped tweezers or tick remover
Adrenaline auto-injectors (if you have a venom allergy)
Urgent-advice contact noted (NHS 111 in England, Scotland or Wales; GP out-of-hours or Phone First in Northern Ireland) and date of any tick bite

⚠ Get urgent help if…

Trouble breathing or wheezing, or swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth or throat — call 999 and use adrenaline if available.
Feeling faint, dizzy or collapsing after a sting.
A sting inside the mouth or throat, or near the eyes.
Spreading redness, heat, swelling or pus around the bite (infection).
A high temperature or feeling generally unwell after a bite or sting.
A spreading 'bullseye' rash or flu-like symptoms days to weeks after a tick bite (possible Lyme disease).
Lots of stings at once, or a sting in someone who has had a severe reaction before.

Who to contact: your clinician, clinic or test provider first (keep their number to hand). For urgent advice when you can't reach them, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.

General guidance — it doesn't replace the specific advice your specialist gives you.

Results & realistic expectations

For the vast majority of people, a bite or sting is a minor nuisance that heals within days with simple self-care. A good outcome is the itching and swelling settling without infection or a bigger reaction.

Treatment cannot prevent every complication. It does not stop someone who is venom-allergic from reacting again, which is why those people need an emergency plan and, sometimes, allergy testing and adrenaline. And no treatment guarantees that a tick bite won't lead to Lyme disease, so watching the area and seeking help early matters.

How long it lasts

Once a bite or sting has healed there is usually no lasting effect. People with a confirmed venom allergy remain at risk from future stings unless they have specialist treatment such as venom immunotherapy, which can reduce the severity of future reactions over a course of treatment. Lyme disease, if caught and treated early, usually clears with antibiotics.

Related tests, treatments or support

Care for bites and stings often combines simple self-care with a pharmacist's advice, and — where needed — antibiotics for infection or treatment for Lyme disease. People with severe sting allergy may be referred for venom allergy testing and, in some cases, immunotherapy, alongside being prescribed adrenaline.

Follow-up & long-term care

Most bites and stings need no follow-up. See a pharmacist or GP if a bite isn't improving, looks infected, or you feel unwell — especially after a tick bite. Anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction should be referred to an allergy clinic and given a clear emergency plan.

Repeat, follow-on and what comes next

An infected bite may need a change or extension of antibiotics if it doesn't settle.
Allergy testing may need repeating or extending if the first results are unclear.
An emergency allergy plan is reviewed and updated over time, especially for children.

Ask what happens if the result is unclear or needs repeating, and what is included if further tests or follow-up are needed.

What good aftercare looks like

Clear self-care advice and the warning signs that mean seeking help.
Prompt treatment of infection or Lyme disease where indicated.
Referral and a written emergency plan for anyone with a severe sting reaction.
Advice on bite and tick prevention.
A named route back for review if symptoms worsen.

What affects the cost

Costs vary a great deal between people and providers, and we don't publish prices. What matters is understanding what drives the cost and making sure your quote is complete. The main things that affect it:

Where you seek help: pharmacist advice is low cost, while a private clinic charges a consultation fee.
Whether prescription treatment (such as antibiotics for infection) is needed.
Whether a tick-borne illness like Lyme disease needs testing and treatment.
Any allergy clinic assessment after a severe reaction.
Whether venom immunotherapy is recommended, which is a long course.
Prescriptions for adrenaline auto-injectors for those with proven venom allergy.

Make sure your written quote includes

What a private consultation covers and its fee.
Whether any prescribed medicine is included or extra.
Cost of allergy testing if a severe reaction is being investigated.
Whether follow-up and a written action plan are included.
Cost and length of immunotherapy if offered.
What happens, and what it costs, if the bite gets worse or becomes infected.

On the NHS? Advice and treatment for bites and stings are available free through pharmacists and GPs. For urgent non-life-threatening advice, use NHS 111 in England, Scotland or Wales; in Northern Ireland, contact your GP out-of-hours service or your HSC Trust's Phone First service. Severe allergic reactions are treated by 999/A&E. Private walk-in clinics may see minor cases for convenience, but they are not for emergencies.

You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including reports, follow-up and what happens if the result is inconclusive — before you decide.

Choosing a specialist safely

Check the specialist is on the GMC Specialist Register for this area.
Make sure they work at a CQC-registered service, and look for membership of the relevant Royal College or professional body.
You're entitled to time to consider and to have your questions answered before you agree — the specialist who looks after you should explain it, not a salesperson.
Be wary of pressure: time-limited offers or deposits taken before you've had time to think are red flags, not bargains.
You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including any follow-up — before you decide.

How Vuemedics verifies every consultant →

Questions to ask your medical professional

Take this to your consultation. A good specialist will welcome every one of these.

Does this bite look infected, and do I need antibiotics?
Could this be a large local reaction, and would antihistamines or steroids help?
I was bitten by a tick — what signs of Lyme disease should I watch for?
I've reacted badly to a sting before — should I be tested and carry adrenaline?
What exactly should make me call 999 rather than treat this at home?
Are you on the GMC Specialist Register for this area, and which Royal College or professional body are you a member of?
Will you be the specialist who carries out my treatment, and who looks after me afterwards?
What are the risks for someone like me, and how often do your own patients have a problem or need it repeated or redone?
What does a realistic result look like — and what can this treatment not achieve?
What are my options, including waiting, doing nothing for now, or choosing a different approach?
Can I have written information, results and aftercare instructions in a format I can use, including any accessibility or communication support I need?
What is the total cost in writing, including any follow-ups, and how much time do I have to decide?

Frequently asked questions

How do I treat a normal insect bite or sting at home?

Remove a bee sting by scraping it out sideways (don't squeeze it), put something cold on the area, raise it if you can, take an antihistamine for itching and a painkiller if needed, and try not to scratch.

Should I use tweezers to remove a bee sting?

No — squeezing with tweezers can push more venom in. Scrape the sting out sideways with a fingernail or the edge of a bank card. Tweezers are the right tool for ticks, not bee stings.

How do I remove a tick safely?

Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool, grip the tick as close to the skin as possible, and pull straight up steadily without twisting or crushing it. Clean the area afterwards and note the date.

When should I worry about Lyme disease?

See a GP if, in the days to weeks after a tick bite, you develop a spreading circular 'bullseye' rash or flu-like symptoms. Early treatment with antibiotics usually clears it.

When is a bite or sting an emergency?

Call 999 if there is trouble breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, dizziness or collapse — this is anaphylaxis. Use an adrenaline auto-injector if available, and do not travel to a clinic.

Can I get treatment for a sting allergy?

Yes. If you've had a severe reaction to a bee or wasp sting, ask your GP about referral for venom allergy testing. Some people are offered immunotherapy, and many are prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors.

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How we made this page

Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant. Written in plain English, checked against NHS, NICE, GMC and relevant Royal College / specialist-society guidance, and kept under review. No clinic paid to appear on this page, and we publish no pricing. This is general information to help you prepare — it is not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. How we review our guides →

Source hierarchy: UK regulator and NHS/NICE guidance first, then relevant Royal College or specialist-society guidance, then peer-reviewed evidence for procedure-specific figures where available.

Sources & standards: NHS — Insect bites and stings NHS — Lyme disease NICE CKS — Insect bites and stings Anaphylaxis UK — What to do in an emergency UK Health Security Agency — Tick awareness and removal nidirect — Urgent and emergency care services nidirect — GP out-of-hours service

Reviews reflect patients' experience of care, not clinical outcomes. For procedure volumes and outcome data see PHIN.

Last medically reviewed 2026-09-21. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Report an error in this guide.