Infected Insect Bites – NHS Pharmacy First

NHS assessment for infected bites without needing a GP appointment

Insect bites are common and usually harmless, but sometimes a bite can become infected.
Under the NHS Pharmacy First service, trained pharmacists can assess infected insect bites
and provide treatment where appropriate, without the need for a GP appointment.

Early assessment helps reduce discomfort and prevent the infection from worsening.

When can an insect bite become infected?

An insect bite may become infected if bacteria enter the skin, often through scratching or broken skin.
This can happen days after the original bite, which means people don’t always realise the bite is infected.

Signs of an infected insect bite may include:

• Increasing redness, swelling, or warmth around the bite
• Pain or tenderness
• Oozing, crusting, or discharge
• Skin that looks shiny or tight
• Symptoms getting worse rather than better after a few days

Why early assessment matters

Most infected insect bites are mild, but if left untreated the infection can spread to surrounding skin
and, in rare cases, enter the bloodstream.

Prompt assessment helps reduce the risk of:

• Worsening skin infection
• Cellulitis (a deeper skin infection)
• Systemic infection, including sepsis in rare cases
• Needing hospital treatment if symptoms progress

Early review through NHS Pharmacy First allows treatment to start sooner
and helps identify when urgent medical care is needed.

Spider bites and skin damage

Spider bites are uncommon in the UK, but skin reactions that look like bites are often caused by other insects
or minor skin injuries.

Some bites or stings can cause skin breakdown or necrosis, where the skin becomes damaged,
darkened, or slow to heal. These areas are more prone to infection, especially if scratched or left untreated.

Because these reactions don’t always look serious at first, people may delay seeking advice.
If the area becomes painful, red, swollen, or starts to change in appearance, it should be assessed.

What can the pharmacist do?

During a Pharmacy First consultation, the pharmacist will:

• Assess the bite and surrounding skin
• Check for signs of infection or spreading inflammation
• Provide self-care and wound care advice
• Supply NHS treatment where clinically appropriate
• Refer you urgently if symptoms suggest a more serious infection

Antibiotics are only supplied when appropriate and in line with NHS clinical guidance.

Pharmacy First infected insect bite treatment near you

This NHS Pharmacy First service is available at the following local pharmacies:

• Holden’s Chemist Scawsby
  Unit 4, Barnsley Road, Doncaster, DN5 8QE
• Holden’s Chemist Bentley
  81 High Street, Bentley, Doncaster, DN5 0AP
• Holden’s Chemist Newark
  77B Eton Avenue, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 4JH
• Sherwood Avenue Pharmacy
  47 Sherwood Avenue, Newark, NG24 1QH

All locations provide private consultation rooms and trained NHS pharmacy teams.

When to seek urgent medical help

Pharmacy First is not suitable if you have:

• Rapidly spreading redness or swelling
• High fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms
• Severe pain or blackened skin
• Signs of serious infection or feeling very unwell

In these cases, seek urgent medical attention or contact NHS 111.

If you’re unsure whether an insect bite is infected, speak to your local NHS pharmacy for a Pharmacy First assessment.

More NHS services:
Pharmacy First (NHS)