Illustration of a checklist with a tick and a speech bubble, representing an NHS Pharmacy First consultation

Is my insect bite infected? Signs, treatment and when to see a pharmacist

ByZain Rajabali

Most insect bites are a nuisance for a day or two and then fade. But every summer we see bites that have gone the other way: bigger, hotter and more painful by the day, sometimes weeping. That’s usually the point where people start wondering whether it’s infected, and whether they need a GP.

Here’s how to tell, what you can do at home, and what a pharmacist can do for you under the NHS.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. If you’re worried about a bite, get it looked at.

The short answer

  • Normal bites cause a small, swollen, itchy or painful lump that usually gets better in a few days.
  • An infected bite tends to get worse instead: the skin around it feels hot and looks red, it becomes more painful and swollen, and there may be pus or fluid coming out.
  • A pharmacist can help anyone aged 1 or over with an infected bite, through NHS Pharmacy First. The NHS says they can give the same antibiotics as a GP if the bite is infected. No GP appointment needed.
  • Call 999 if there are signs of a serious allergic reaction, like swelling of the lips, mouth or throat, or difficulty breathing.

How can you tell if an insect bite is infected?

The NHS lists the signs to look for. See a pharmacist if you, or your child aged 1 or over, have a bite or sting and:

  • the skin around it feels hot when you touch it, or looks red (redness can be harder to see on brown and black skin)
  • it’s painful
  • the area looks swollen
  • there’s pus or fluid coming out of it

A normal bite can be red, itchy and a little swollen too, so the key thing is the direction it’s going. A bite that’s settling is fine. A bite that’s getting hotter, more swollen and more painful after the first day or two needs looking at.

Which bites are most likely to get infected?

Any bite can become infected, usually because it’s been scratched and bacteria get into the broken skin. The NHS singles out horsefly bites, which are large, painful and may bleed, and often become infected.

Scratching is the most common cause we see. The NHS advice is simple: don’t scratch, because the bite could get infected.

What you can do at home

If something’s been left in your skin, remove it first. For a bee or wasp stinger, the NHS says to scrape it out sideways with a fingernail or the edge of a bank card, rather than using tweezers, which can squeeze more venom in. For a tick, use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool, grip it as close to the skin as you can, and pull slowly upwards without squeezing it.

Then, for the bite itself, the NHS suggests:

  • wash the area with soap and water
  • hold an ice pack wrapped in a cloth, or a cold wet cloth, on it for at least 20 minutes if it’s swollen
  • keep it raised if you can
  • take paracetamol or ibuprofen if it’s painful
  • use antihistamines for itching, and a hydrocortisone cream to reduce itching and swelling
  • don’t scratch it, and don’t use home remedies like bicarbonate of soda

A pharmacist can recommend the right antihistamine or cream for you, including for children.

What a pharmacist can do: NHS Pharmacy First

Infected insect bites are one of the seven conditions covered by NHS Pharmacy First, for anyone aged 1 or over. It means you can be assessed and treated at a pharmacy, without a GP appointment.

At MediPill, you can walk in or book. The pharmacist will look at the bite, ask how it happened and how it’s changed, and check your medical history and any medicines you take. Then they’ll either:

  1. Give you advice and recommend over-the-counter treatment, if it’s inflamed but not infected.
  2. Supply antibiotics if the bite is infected and they’re needed.
  3. Refer you to a GP, NHS 111 or urgent care if it needs a doctor.

Most bites don’t need antibiotics, even when they’re sore and swollen. That’s why an assessment is worth it: you get antibiotics when they’ll actually help.

Cost: the consultation is free on the NHS. If you’re given a medicine, the standard NHS prescription charge applies, unless you get free prescriptions. Children under 16 always do, as do people aged 60 or over and 16 to 18 year olds in full-time education.

When to see a GP, call 111 or call 999

The NHS says to see a GP if:

  • a baby under 1 has an insect bite or sting
  • you think you or your child have been bitten by a tick and have flu-like symptoms, or a round or oval rash that may look like a bullseye (this can be a sign of Lyme disease)

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111 if you’ve been bitten or stung and:

  • your symptoms get worse or aren’t getting 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
  • you have a high temperature and swollen glands
  • you were stung more than once
  • you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to a bite or sting before

Call 999 if:

  • your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly swell
  • you’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe
  • your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
  • your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale
  • you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
  • someone faints and can’t be woken, or a child is limp, floppy or not responding normally

These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction.

Can an infected bite turn into cellulitis?

Yes. Cellulitis is an infection of the deeper layers of the skin, and the NHS lists insect bites as one of the ways bacteria can get in. The skin becomes painful, hot and swollen, and you may feel generally unwell with flu-like symptoms.

The NHS says to ask for an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111 if your skin is painful, hot and swollen, because early treatment can stop cellulitis getting more serious. If you’re not sure whether a bite has reached that point, a pharmacist can take a look and tell you where to go.

Bites abroad

Some bites carry other risks. The NHS points out that mosquitoes can spread malaria in certain parts of the world, and ticks can spread Lyme disease. If you’re travelling somewhere with malaria, ask about malaria tablets before you go.

Common questions

What is the treatment for an infected insect bite? It depends on how bad it is. Mild inflammation usually settles with cold compresses, antihistamines and a hydrocortisone cream. If the bite is infected, a pharmacist can assess it under Pharmacy First and supply antibiotics if they’re needed.

Can a pharmacist give antibiotics for an infected bite? Yes, for anyone aged 1 or over, through NHS Pharmacy First. The NHS says pharmacists can give the same antibiotics as a GP if a bite or sting is infected.

How long does an insect bite take to heal? The NHS says most bites and stings get better within a few days. If yours is getting worse or isn’t improving, get it checked.

My child has an infected bite. Can you help? Yes, if they’re aged 1 or over. Bring them in to any of our branches. For a baby under 1, the NHS advises seeing a GP.

Can I get it seen at the weekend? Yes. Botley is open Saturdays 9 to 2, and Summertown and Deddington 9 to 12. Headington is closed at weekends.

Pharmacy First at MediPill

All four of our branches offer NHS Pharmacy First. Walk in, or book a slot so you’re seen without waiting:

More on the service is on our NHS Pharmacy First page. Questions first? Get in touch and a pharmacist will come back to you.

More Pharmacy First guides

Sources

  1. Insect bites and stings – NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insect-bites-and-stings/ (accessed 23 September 2026)
  2. Cellulitis – NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cellulitis/ (accessed 23 September 2026)
  3. How pharmacies can help – NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-pharmacies-can-help/ (accessed 23 September 2026)
  4. Free NHS prescriptions – NHS Business Services Authority. https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/free-nhs-prescriptions (accessed 23 September 2026)

Written by Zain Rajabali, Superintendent Pharmacist – GPhC #2219769
Medically reviewed by Zain Rajabali, Superintendent Pharmacist, Independent Prescriber – GPhC #2219769
Last reviewed: 23 September 2026 · Next review due: September 2027

This article is general health information and is not a substitute for a consultation. It does not diagnose your symptoms. Whether treatment is appropriate, and which, is decided at an individual assessment with a pharmacist, in line with NHS Pharmacy First criteria.

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