What should you know about insect bite symptoms?

Insect bite symptoms commonly include local itching, redness, swelling, soreness, or a small blister. The reaction may appear soon after contact or become more noticeable later.

A local reaction stays around the bite or sting and often settles gradually. A larger local reaction can cause more swelling across nearby skin. Scratching may damage the surface and introduce bacteria. Redness that spreads, increasing warmth, pus, or worsening pain can indicate cellulitis. An allergic reaction can cause widespread hives, facial swelling, wheezing, vomiting, or dizziness.

Wash the area with soap and water, use a cool cloth, and avoid scratching. Keep a swollen hand, arm, foot, or leg raised when practical. A pharmacist or clinician can advise whether allergy medication is suitable for itch or swelling. Remove a visible bee stinger by gently scraping it away rather than squeezing it. Do not apply unlabelled household substances to broken skin.

Get emergency help for difficulty breathing, throat or tongue swelling, faintness, confusion, or symptoms affecting several body systems; these may signal anaphylaxis. Arrange a GP consultation if the area is worsening, infected-looking, near the eye or mouth, or not improving as expected. Children, older adults, and people with immune problems may need earlier advice.

Ask whether the reaction looks local, allergic, or infected; which medicine is safe with your other treatments; and how to recognise a worsening reaction. Mention the time of the bite, the insect if known, and any breathing or whole-body symptoms.