Bites & stings - Treatments
In this section
Animal bites
Animal bites must always be thoroughly cleaned, as saliva or bacteria from the animal that bit you may have been left in the wound. Clean the wound as soon as possible by holding it under clean, running water for 10 minutes, then cover it with a non-stick sterile dressing.
Try to stop any bleeding by holding the area that’s been bitten in the air. If the wound is large or deep, or if it’s full of dirt, seek medical attention.
You may be prescribed antibiotics if the bite is on your head, face, hand, foot or on a joint, or if you’re at particular risk of infection, for example if you have a weak immune system or suffer from diabetes.
As animal bites can sometimes cause tetanus, it’s a good idea to ask your GP if your tetanus vaccination is up to date. If you’re bitten by any animal outside the UK, seek immediate medical advice regarding the risk of rabies.
Insect bites & stings
To help prevent infection, keep insect bites and stings clean, and apply an antiseptic cream. Tablets or creams containing antihistamine can be particularly helpful in easing any itching and swelling you may be experiencing.
Common sites for insect bites are the legs and ankles, where the skin is often left exposed. To relieve swelling around bites on the lower legs, raise your legs on a stool. If the bite develops into a blister, be sure not to puncture it.
If you’re stung by a bee, try to remove the sting that they often leave behind. You can do this by gently scraping the skin with a knife blade or fingernail. Be careful not to push the sting further into the skin by squeezing it. To help soothe a bee or wasp sting, apply a cold compress.
You can buy suction pumps to extract the poison from the skin after a bite or sting, so you might want to keep one in your first aid kit at home. You can also get sprays and creams that ease the pain of bites and stings and can help to prevent infection.
Other stings
Stings from jellyfish, sea anemones and nettles can be very painful but can often be soothed with calamine lotion.
Occasionally the sting from a jellyfish can provoke a severe reaction causing dizziness, difficulty breathing and vomiting. If you suffer any of these reactions, seek medical help immediately.
If you’re stung by a weever fish, the pain will be severe but it can be eased immediately by immersing the affected area in warm water.
Painkillers, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin can ease the pain of bites and stings. Remember that children under the age of 16 should not be given aspirin.
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This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
