NHS Cornwall are sharing tips on how to treat bites and stings
They have also highlighted when to seek medical help
NHS Cornwall are reminding people how to deal with Insect bites and stings this summer.
The common complaint at this time of year, in most cases can be treated safely at home.
Chief nursing officer, Susan Bracefield said:
"Most insect bites and stings will get better within a few hours or days and there are simple things you can do to ease your symptoms such as taking paracetamol or ibuprofen for the pain, using cream or anti-histamine tablets for the itching and use a cold compress for swelling."
"If you are visiting the area and need a GP, please contact your own surgery back home and not the one closest to where to are staying. They are used to helping by phone, video and email and if you need a prescription your surgery can send it to any pharmacy you choose close to where you are staying."
Insect bites and stings
Most insect bites and stings are not serious and will get better within a few hours or days. Ask your pharmacist about medicines that can help, such as creams, painkillers and antihistamines. If the bite is infected, most of Cornwall’s pharmacies can provide antibiotics where appropriate through the Pharmacy First service.
To treat an insect bite or sting at home:
remove the sting if it’s still in the skin
wash the affected area with soap and water
apply a cold compress or an ice pack to any swelling for at least 10 minutes
raise or elevate the affected area if possible
try hard to avoid scratching the area
note that traditional home remedies, such as vinegar and bicarbonate of soda are unlikely to help
Ticks
You often won’t know you’ve been bitten by a tick until you find it on you. It might at first glance look like a small and dark mark on your skin.
Ticks can carry Lyme disease, so it’s important to be aware and to safely remove them as soon as possible, just in case.
To remove a tick:
use a proper tick removal tool or fine tweezers
grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible
slowly pull upwards, taking care not to squeeze or crush the tick. Dispose of the tick when you have removed it
clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water
When to seek help
If you have troublesome symptoms after an insect bite or sting, the following treatments may help:
for pain or discomfort: take over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
for itching: ask your pharmacist about suitable creams or antihistamine tablets
for swelling: try regularly applying a cold compress or ice pack to the affected area, or ask your pharmacist about treatments such as antihistamine tablets
Use NHS 111 online or by phoning 111, or call your GP for advice if:
your symptoms worsen or do not improve after a few days
you’ve been stung or bitten in your mouth or throat, or near your eyes
a large area (around 10cm or more patch of skin) around the bite becomes red and swollen or has pus
you have symptoms of a more widespread infection, such as high temperature, swollen glands and other flu-like symptoms
Dial 999 without delay if you or someone else has symptoms of a severe reaction, such as:
wheezing or trouble breathing
a swollen face, mouth or throat
feeling sick or being sick
a fast heart rate
feeling faint or dizzy
difficulty swallowing
loss of consciousness
Visitors to the area can find more help and advice here.