Insect Bite

Insect bites or stings are not usually serious and get better in a few days. But sometimes they can become infected or cause a serious allergic reaction.

Bites from some insects can also cause illnesses, such as Lyme disease from ticks, scabies from mites, and malaria from mosquitoes in certain parts of the world.

Symptoms of an insect bite or sting

The main symptoms of an insect bite or sting are:

• pain where you were bitten or stung

• a small, swollen lump on the skin

The lump may look red. It may be more difficult to see on black or brown skin, but you should be able to feel it.

Bee, wasp and hornet stings

A bee, wasp or hornet sting will usually leave a small mark where the stinger entered the skin. Sometimes the stinger may be stuck in your skin.

Mosquito bites

Mosquito bites are usually small, raised and itchy.

Tick bites

Ticks are small spider-like creatures that attach themselves to the skin.

Read more about ticks here...

A rash that looks like a bullseye is a symptom of Lyme disease caused by a tick bite.

Horsefly bites

Horsefly bites are large, painful and may bleed. They often become infected.

Midge bites

Midge bites are usually small and raised in groups.

Mite bites

Mite bites cause very itchy lumps on the skin and sometimes cause blisters.

Flea bites

Flea bites are usually found in groups below the knees.

Call 999 if:

• your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen

• you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)

• your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow

• your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)

• you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy

• someone faints and cannot be woken up

• a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)

You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised or itchy.

These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.