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Walk in or call
Drop in to Qrystal Pharmacy — tell our team you're here for a Pharmacy First infected bite consultation. Most patients are seen within 30 minutes.
NHS Pharmacy First · Infected Insect Bites
Free NHS treatment for an infected insect bite.
Spreading redness, warmth, swelling, or pus around a bite or sting? Our pharmacists can assess and treat infected insect bites for adults and children aged 1 and over — free on the NHS, no GP appointment needed.
- Free consultationCost
- Same dayWait time
- Adults & children 1+Eligibility
When does an insect bite become infected?
Most insect bites cause a normal inflammatory reaction — a red, itchy, slightly swollen lump that lasts a few days. This is your immune system responding to the bite, not an infection. A true infection (cellulitis) occurs when bacteria enter through the broken skin, usually after scratching, and is typically marked by spreading redness, increasing pain, warmth, and sometimes pus or fever — appearing 1 to 5 days after the bite.
Under the NHS Pharmacy First service, our pharmacists at Qrystal Pharmacy in London can assess your bite or sting, distinguish between a normal reaction and infection, and prescribe antibiotics where clinically appropriate — for adults and children aged 1 and over. The consultation is free and no GP referral is needed.
Not every bite that looks angry needs antibiotics. Our pharmacist will examine the affected area, take your history, and either prescribe oral antibiotics (usually flucloxacillin), recommend antihistamines or other self-care, or refer you on if features suggest a more serious infection.
Signs your bite has become infected
A normal bite reaction peaks within 48 hours and gradually settles. Signs of true infection appear later and include:
- Spreading redness around the bite that's getting bigger
- Increasing pain rather than improving discomfort
- Warmth around the bite
- Significant swelling beyond the bite itself
- Pus or yellow discharge
- Red streaks tracking away from the bite
- A high temperature (38°C or above)
- Feeling generally unwell or shivery
- Swollen lymph glands near the bite
- Symptoms appearing or worsening 1-5 days after the bite
When to see us — and when to seek urgent help
Walk in to Pharmacy First if you have:
- Spreading redness, warmth, or swelling around a bite or sting
- Pus or yellow discharge from the bite area
- A bite that's increasingly painful instead of healing
- Mild fever alongside an inflamed bite
- A bite that hasn't improved after 48 hours of self-care
Get urgent help (NHS 111 or A&E) if you have:
- Signs of severe infection (rapidly spreading redness, high fever, feeling very unwell)
- Difficulty breathing, tight throat, or facial swelling (anaphylaxis — call 999)
- Red streaks tracking up the limb or towards the trunk
- A non-blanching rash or signs of sepsis (confusion, fast breathing, low urine output)
- Bites near the eyes that affect vision
Who is eligible for infected insect bite treatment?
- Adults and children aged 1 and over
- Registered with an NHS GP in England
- Bite or sting with signs of secondary bacterial infection
You're not eligible if:
- Babies under 1 year old
- Patients with extensive cellulitis or signs of systemic infection — we'll refer urgently
- Bites from animals or humans (these need different management — please see your GP/A&E)
- Tick bites with suspected Lyme disease (we'll refer)
How the consultation works
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Private assessment
Our pharmacist examines the affected area in our private consultation room, marks the edge of any redness, and checks for red-flag features.
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Treatment plan
If infected: oral antibiotics (usually flucloxacillin). If not infected: antihistamines, mild steroid cream, and self-care advice. Urgent referral if anything serious.
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Records to your GP
With your consent we share a consultation summary electronically with your GP so your records stay joined-up.
What's included
- Clinical assessment by a registered pharmacist
- Private consultation room — fully confidential
- Antibiotic prescription where clinically appropriate
- Antihistamines or topical hydrocortisone advice for itch and swelling
- Marking of redness border so you can monitor at home
- Onward referral to GP or A&E if signs of severe infection
- Electronic record sent securely to your GP
Other Pharmacy First conditions we can treat
Impetigo
Adults & children 1+
Topical or oral antibiotic treatment for the contagious impetigo rash, from age 1.
Read moreShingles
Adults 18+
Fast antiviral treatment for the painful shingles rash — best started within 72 hours.
Read moreSinusitis
Adults & children 12+
Acute sinus pain and pressure assessed and treated for adults and children aged 12 and over.
Read moreInfected insect bites — frequently asked questions
How can I tell if my bite is infected or just inflamed?
A normal reaction peaks within 48 hours and slowly improves. Infection appears or worsens 1-5 days after the bite, with spreading redness, increasing pain, warmth, and sometimes pus. Drawing a pen line around the redness when you spot it helps — if it spreads beyond the line in 24 hours, it's likely infected.
Will I definitely get antibiotics?
Not always. Many inflamed bites are not truly infected and don't need antibiotics. Our pharmacist will examine the area and only prescribe if there are clinical signs of bacterial infection (cellulitis).
What can I do to prevent infection?
Don't scratch — that's how bacteria from your skin get into the bite. Wash gently with soap and water, apply a cold compress or antihistamine cream to ease itch, cover with a clean dressing if it's weeping, and keep nails short (especially for children).
How long do antibiotics take to work?
Most patients see improvement within 48-72 hours of starting antibiotics. Always finish the full course even if you feel better. If you're not improving, the redness is still spreading, or you feel more unwell, come back the same day or contact NHS 111.
What about tick bites?
Tick bites in the UK can occasionally transmit Lyme disease. If you find a tick attached, remove it carefully with fine tweezers (gripping close to the skin). Watch for a circular expanding rash (erythema migrans) over the next 4 weeks. If you develop a rash or flu-like symptoms, see your GP — Lyme disease is outside the Pharmacy First service.
Can children be treated?
Yes, from age 1. We use age-appropriate dosing for any antibiotics or antihistamines. For babies under 1, please contact your GP or NHS 111.
I think I'm allergic to the bite — what should I do?
Mild allergy (large local swelling, intense itch) responds well to oral antihistamines and a mild topical steroid — we can advise. Severe allergy (anaphylaxis: difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, dizziness) is a medical emergency — call 999.
Should I drain the pus myself?
No. Don't squeeze or lance an infected bite — you risk pushing infection deeper and seeding bacteria. Cover with a clean dressing and let us assess it. If an abscess forms, we'll refer for drainage.
Bite getting worse, not better?
Walk into Qrystal Pharmacy for a free NHS Pharmacy First assessment — same day, antibiotics on the spot where clinically appropriate.