Bites and stings usually leave a red lump on the skin, which may be painful, and are often very itchy. Some people might have a mild allergic reaction, which causes a larger area around the bite or sting to become swollen, red and painful. This should pass within a week, but if it's still causing discomfort after that, it's a good idea to see your GP. Seek advice before using if you are breast feeding, pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or suffer from allergies. Crotamiton is a powerful itch-reliever that combats skin irritation caused by dermatitis and allergic rashes. It can provide relief from itching for several hours after each application, and can be used long-term, unlike hydrocortisone. It doesn’t stop the itch quite as fast as a steroid, though, so you can buy creams (such as Eurax HC) that combine crotamiton with hydrocortisone for fast and long-acting relief. Although generally regarded as safe, even for long-term administration in adults, there is potential for adverse effects if overused in infancy. Extreme caution is required in the dermatoses of infancy including napkin eruption. In such patients, courses of treatment should not normally exceed seven days. Bites and stings can also become infected, which, if left untreated, can lead to further problems. Early signs of infection include:

Most native UK spiders are harmless, but a few (such as the false widow) can bite. Bites may cause pain, redness and swelling. Mepyramine maleate is a topical antihistamine that fights your body’s itchy reaction to allergens such as bug bites and certain plants. It appears in numerous itch-killing creams, sometimes alongside an anaesthetic. Hives and psoriasis cause itching beneath the surface of your skin. Hives are particularly common in summer because the condition is exacerbated by sweat, so keep your skin dry, your clothes loose, and your anti-itch cream close at hand. As with all corticosteroids, application to the face may damage the skin and should be avoided. Caution should be taken to keep away from the eyes.It's rare for an insect bite or sting to cause serious problems, but in some people they can cause a severe allergic reaction resulting in breathing difficulties, dizziness, and swelling of the face and mouth. This is a medical emergency. Other symptoms might include nausea, vomiting and a racing heart. If you've been bitten or stung, and are experiencing any of these symptoms (or if someone else has become unresponsive after a bite or sting), call 999 for an ambulance immediately. In infants and children particularly, care should be taken that the lowest strength of hydrocortisone cream that is clinically effective is used. The 2.5% strength is normally only necessary in the more severe cases and is better avoided in infants.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed on the label. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. If you’re pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to conceive in the near future, consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this product.Many people don't realise it, but all ladybirds can bite. A bite from a ladybird may be painful, but usually won't cause any further problems. In infants and children long-term treatment should be avoided especially on the face as adrenal suppression can occur. The occasional bite or sting from an insect is something most of us have experienced, especially during warmer weather. It's normal to experience some itching or pain when this happens, but occasionally a bite or sting can lead to an allergic reaction or an infection. Read on for some pointers on how to recognise this, and how to treat bites and stings generally. Insect bites & stings are common & usually nothing to worry about. Read our top tips for treating them at home & find out when to seek medical help

There is no good evidence that topical corticosteroids are efficacious against immediate (Type 1) allergic skin reactions or short-lived weal and flare reactions from other causes. READ NEXT: Best cream for fungal infections The best creams for itchy skin rash to buy now 1. Anthisan Bite and Sting: Best antihistamine for itchy skin rash Mepyramine works by preventing the actions of histamine - a compound produced by the body when it reacts to a foreign substance, such as venom from insect bites or stings (these are known as allergens). Pain, swelling and itchiness should last no longer than a few days. If symptoms don't improve, or get worse, speak to your pharmacist or GP.Bites can be painful and may become infected easily. Occasionally, a horsefly bite may cause dizziness and breathlessness. This is a medicine; Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have an underlying medical condition, are taking any other medication or complementary therapy, or if symptoms persist. Bites from mosquitoes can also prompt an allergic reaction from your body. Your immune system is more likely to overreact to bites if you have other allergies, eczema or hay fever. Bites from bed bugs and mites look more like rashes, so they can be harder to diagnose but just as easy to treat with pain-killing steroid creams and antihistamine creams. Anthisan bite and sting cream contains the active ingredient mepyramine maleate, which is a type of medicine called an antihistamine.

Allergic reaction (e.g. skin rash, red or itchy skin, worsening of the condition you are treating).Note that if bitten by a horsefly, you're more susceptible to infection than with other bites. This is because horsefly bites cut open your skin, rather than piercing it, meaning bites are larger and slower to heal. To help prevent bites, ensure your skin stays covered if you spend time around horses. To reduce the risk of infection, avoid scratching and don't burst any blisters that form. If a young child has been bitten or stung, trim and clean their fingernails. For babies, you can buy anti-scratch cotton mittens If you have experienced a bite or sting, your local Boots pharmacy is the first place you can go for advice. They can help advise you about medicines that can help ease the symptoms of a bite or sting, such as antihistamines, steroid creams and painkillers. In the UK, mosquito bites rarely cause anything more than itchiness, but in some overseas regions, they can spread malaria. Ensure you take precautions to help prevent malaria if you're travelling to a country where the disease can be caught. This may include taking malaria prevention tablets. Speak to your GP or pharmacist if you’re planning to visit an area with a risk of malaria well in advance of your scheduled travel.