Bites and Stings

Wash animal bites immediately with soap and water. Check your tetanus cover is up to date. 

• Contact us in normal surgery hours if the wound becomes red and tender.
• Contact a doctor as an emergency if the bite becomes red and swollen and you have a temperature or if the bite was received outside the United Kingdom, (risk of rabies).
• Go to casualty if the injury is severe or gaping.

Insect bites, and wasp and bee stings in this country are unlikely to do any serious harm unless you are allergic to them. Remove rings from any affected finger if possible before it swells up. An antihistamine such as is used for hay fever will help relieve swelling and itching.

• Contact us as an emergency if you have had a previous serious reaction to a bite or sting before or if you develop a generalised reaction. A generalised reaction may cause a rash or difficulty breathing or a swelling at a different place to the sting. You may feel faint. If the generalised reaction is developing rapidly, dial 999 for an ambulance.

Cuts

Contact the surgery during working hours if the wound become infected.

Attend casualty if 

• the wound is deep
• you think you may have damaged any tendons or nerves
• if the wound is dirty after cleaning
• the wound may need stitching