Infected Insect Bites & The NHS Pharmacy First Service
The Pharmacy First service allows community pharmacists in England to assess and treat common conditions – specifically infected insect bites and stings – without the need for a GP appointment. This service offers a faster, more accessible route to expert care.
Who is this service for?
The specific clinical pathway for treating infected insect bites under Pharmacy First is available for children, teenagers, and adults.
Eligibility: Adults and children aged 1 year and over.
Condition: Suspected infection of an insect bite or sting.
Recognising the symptoms
If you or your child are experiencing symptoms that are present or worsening at least 48 hours after the initial bite or sting, a pharmacist can help. Key signs include:
Skin changes
Redness of the skin (which may be harder to see on darker skin tones).
Pain/tenderness
Increased pain or tenderness at the site of the bite.
Swelling and heat
The area feels hot to the touch and is increasingly swollen.
Discharge
Evidence of pus or pustular discharge at the site.
Spreading
Redness or swelling that is spreading away from the original bite.
How the service works
You can visit us at Saood Pharmacy with or without a GP referral.
Access: Please call us on 01189572687 or visit the form at the bottom of the page to check eligibility and book an appointment.
Consultation: You will have a private consultation with a highly trained pharmacist which includes taking a patient history.
Assessment: The pharmacist will examine the affected area to determine if it is a bacterial infection rather than a normal inflammatory or allergic reaction.
Treatment options
If the pharmacist confirms an infection is present, several options are available:
Antibiotics: Oral antibiotics can be prescribed if clinically appropriate.
Topical/OTC Treatments: Recommendations for antihistamines, steroid creams, or painkillers to manage itching and pain.
Self-Care Advice: Guidance on keeping the area clean, using cold compresses for swelling, and avoiding scratching to prevent further infection.
If medication is prescribed, standard NHS prescription charges apply (unless the patient is exempt). Any over-the-counter medicines that are recommended to you will be sold at the usual recommended retail price.
Why visit Saood Pharmacy to treat infected insect bites?
Convenience
Central town centre location with no need for a GP appointment.
Access
Faster, more accessible route to getting assessed.
Expertise
Our pharmacy teams utilise their clinical expertise to provide reliable guidance on managing infections and selecting the most effective treatment options for your needs.
Advice and treatment for other common conditions in Saood pharmacy Reading
The Pharmacy First Clinical Pathways Service is an NHS service designed to offer
free advice and treatments to eligible patients for seven common conditions
including infected insect bites. Patients can access this service at Saood Pharmacy in Central Reading. The additional six conditions covered by this service are:
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Earache
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Impetigo
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Shingles
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Sinusitis
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Sore Throat
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Uncomplicated UTI
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Book an appointment
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