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May 14, 2024 · 1. Wasp and hornet stings. A wasp or hornet sting causes a sudden sharp pain at first. A swollen red mark may then form on your skin, which can last a few hours and may be painful and...
Most animal bites are not serious, but you may need to get medical help if the bite is severe or there are signs of infection. This page is about human bites and bites from animals, such as cats and dogs, that have broken the skin.
Aug 1, 2024 · 1 August 2024. Insect bites and stings are a common complaint at this time of year, and in most cases they can be treated safely at home. Some can be a bit nasty, including horsefly bites. It’s worth knowing what to do and when to seek help so you can avoid an unnecessary wait in a minor injury unit or urgent treatment centre.
- What Are The Most Common Insect Bites?
- Why You Need to Be Wary About Tick Bites
- How to Manage Insect Bites
- When to Seek Medical Attention
If you're in the UK, the most common insect bites come from a flea, tick, mosquito, horsefly, bedbug or midge. Because the different bites can be quite similar in how they look and feel, it can be hard to tell them apart.
Tick bitesare not usually painful - you may not even realise you've been bitten - but the tick can remain attached to your skin for up to two weeks It will need to be removed with a special tick remover or fine-toothed tweezers. The danger here is that some ticks carry Lyme disease- a sometimes debilitating infection that is becoming more widesprea...
The first rule in managing insect bites is not to scratch. Although it does relieve the itching temporarily, it can also break the skin and cause infection. Instead, you could use a cold compress or ice pack to calm the itch and any swelling. Or pay a visit to your local pharmacist for some over-the-counter remedies and advice. Pharmacist Abbas Kan...
As part of the Pharmacy First Service, if you are aged aged one and over you can get free advice and treatment for insect stings or bites from your local pharmacist. Your pharmacist can recommend over the counter products or may suggest a course of antibiotics, if appropriate. If they feel you need extra help they will get you to see your GP or oth...
Allow the following bite wounds to heal without formal closure: Bite wounds over 24 hours old. Infected bite wounds. Deep puncture wounds. Crush injuries. Heavy contamination. Uncertain adequacy of debridement. Bites to the limbs, hands, and feet. Do not offer antibiotic prophylaxis to people with a human bite that has not broken the skin.
Looking after your bite: Try to keep the wound elevated (up high) if you can. If there is a dressing on it try to keep it clean and dry. See your doctor if the skin around the bite becomes: Painful. Swollen. Red and puffy. Smelly. If you get: a high temperature. start to shake badly. feel really unwell. come to the hospital’s ED Minor Injury ...
People also ask
What happens if you bite an insect?
Should you be worried about an insect bite?
How long does an insect bite last?
What if a bite wound is not infected?
What if I have problems after an insect bite or sting?
Are animal bites serious?
A weal which is like a small fluid-filled lump and is very itchy. It may develop immediately after being bitten. A weal lasts about two hours, but is often followed by a small itchy solid lump which develops up to 24 hours later. This can last for several days before fading away.
