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.
The main symptoms of an insect bite or sting are:
- pain and itching where you were bitten or stung
- a small, swollen lump on the skin
The lump may look red. Redness may be more difficult to see on black or brown skin, but you should be able to feel a lump.
Pictures of common insect bites, stings and rashes
If you're not sure it's an insect bite or sting
You can often treat an insect bite or sting without seeing a GP.
Removing stingers, ticks or caterpillars
If anything is left on or in your skin, the first thing you need to do is remove it carefully.
How to remove a bee, wasp or hornet stinger
- Brush or scrape the stinger sideways with your fingernail or the edge of a bank card.
- Do not use tweezers to pull out a stinger as you could squeeze poison out of it.
- Wash the area with soap and water.
How to remove a tick
- Using fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool (if you have one), grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Slowly pull upwards, taking care not to squeeze the tick or leave any of its mouth in your skin. Dispose of it when you've removed it.
- Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water.
How to remove caterpillar hairs
- Gently remove the caterpillar using tweezers or a pen. Try not to disturb it as it'll release more hairs.
- Rinse your skin with running water and allow it to air dry.
- Use sticky tape on the skin to pick up any remaining hairs.
- Take off any jewellery in case your skin becomes swollen.
- Take off your clothes and wash them at a high temperature.
If there's nothing in your skin, or you've removed it, wash your skin with soap and water to help lower the chance of infection.
The bite or sting should get better in a few days. There are some things you can do to ease your symptoms.
Do
put an ice pack wrapped in a cloth, or a clean cloth soaked in cold water, on the bite or sting for up to 20 minutes, if it's swollen
keep the area raised if you can
take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if the sting is painful
use antihistamines to relieve any itching (but do not use antihistamine cream if you had caterpillar hairs on your skin)
use a hydrocortisone skin cream to reduce itching and swelling
Don't
do not scratch the bite or sting, as it could get infected
Insect bites and stings are not usually serious, but sometimes you may need medical help.
See a GP if:
- a child under 1 year old 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 has a ring around it like a bullseye
Get an urgent GP appointment or help from NHS 111 if:
You or your child has been bitten or stung by an insect and:
- the symptoms get worse or are not getting any 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 an insect bite or sting before
- you have any other symptoms you're worried about
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online. Call 111 to get advice about a child under 5 years old.
Call 999 if:
- you or a child suddenly has swollen lips, mouth, throat or tongue
- you or a child are breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or sound like you're choking or gasping for air)
- you or a child are struggling to swallow
- you or a child have blue, grey or pale skin, tongue or lips (on black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet)
- you or a child feel 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.
10 November 2026
