Pharmacist Richard Harrison of Asda Pharmacy UK has explained how to distinguish between common insect bites and tick bites carrying Lyme disease. A rash resembling a bullseye or target around a bite is a red flag that requires an urgent visit to a GP.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks. The condition can cause a wide range of symptoms including fatigue, high temperature, paralysis, and joint pain.
Infected ticks are found all over the UK, but high-risk areas include grassy and wooded regions in the South of England. Ticks are most active during the summer months.
Public health experts warned that cases of potentially fatal Lyme disease have risen by more than 20 per cent in England over the past year. The telltale rash can appear up to three months after being bitten by an infected tick, but usually appears within a couple of weeks.
Rapid treatment of the infection is vital to reduce the risk of long-term symptoms. This involves both seeking medical help and removing the tick from the skin as quickly as possible.
"Use a clean, fine-tipped pair of tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin as possible and pull upwards slowly and steadily," Harrison said. "Avoid twisting or squeezing the tick, as this can leave parts of it behind or increase the risk of infected material being pushed into the bite."
Infections and allergic reactions
Infected bites also present a serious health risk. In extreme cases, they can trigger life-threatening sepsis, where the immune system overreacts to an infection.
Mosquito, horsefly, and spider bites are most likely to become infected, although bites from ants and fleas are also vulnerable. Harrison advises visiting a pharmacist at the first signs of infection, such as swelling, discharge, and intense pain.
Another serious risk is an allergic reaction, which can happen to people who have never experienced such a reaction before. This can occur with mosquito bites, but it is more commonly associated with stinging insects.
Signs of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction, include swelling of the throat and tongue, difficulty breathing, a rash that is swollen, raised, or itchy, and skin that feels cold to the touch.
Identifying bug bites
Harrison revealed the specific characteristics of different bites so patients can identify which insect has bitten them. Mosquito bites usually appear as small, raised, itchy bumps that may become red or inflamed.
They often develop shortly after being bitten and are most commonly found on exposed areas such as the arms, legs, and face.
"What makes mosquito bites different is that they're typically isolated or appear as a few scattered bites rather than in a distinct pattern," Harrison said. Mosquito bites tend to appear either as singular marks or as a cluster in a random order.
If a bite hurts immediately, it is likely to have come from a horsefly. Horsefly bites tend to be more painful than many other insect bites because the insect cuts the skin rather than simply piercing it, which can leave a larger red area, significant swelling, and sometimes bruising.
Harrison issued a warning to parents, stating that children who sustained horsefly bites will likely complain of soreness rather than itchiness. Keeping the area clean, using a cold compress, and avoiding scratching can help.
A bite from a midge tends to be very small but can be extremely itchy. Midges often bite in groups, so parents may notice several small red spots appearing at the same time, particularly on exposed skin on the legs, ankles, and arms.
Treatment for midge bites focuses on reducing irritation through cooling the area, avoiding scratching, and using suitable itch-relief treatments. Washing the area with mild soap and water and then applying a cold compress can also help.
Midges thrive in damp and humid environments, and they are known to inhabit marshy areas in Scotland, including the West Highlands.
Flea bites and pharmacy care
Flea bites are a less recognisable type of bite. They frequently appear as small, intensely itchy red bumps, most commonly around the ankles, lower legs, or areas close to clothing lines.
Flea bites often come in groups of three or more and tend to appear in a straight line, whereas some other bites appear randomly. Treatment focuses on relieving itching and preventing infection from scratching, and persistent symptoms should be assessed by a pharmacist.
Faisal Tuddy, head of pharmacy at Asda, urged those suffering from troublesome bites and stings to seek help promptly. "Most bites are nothing to worry about with the right first aid, but some need prompt treatment to avoid infection," Tuddy said.
"You can walk into any Asda Pharmacy, no appointment needed, and we'll assess it, treat it, and prescribe antibiotics on the spot if needed," Tuddy added.
