The most common skin infection causing problems abroad relate to insect bites and stings. Many people travel unequipped to deal with the insects they may encounter, lacking repellents and treatments for bites.

Insect bites in the UK are less likely to become infected, however, allergy to bee and wasp stings is not all that rare and can develop life-threatening reactions. People known to have bee sting allergy should travel with an EpiPen.

Tips to avoid insect bites and stings

Bites and stings most commonly occur when outside, so the following measures are recommended to reduce the risk of bites and stings and possible subsequent infection:

• Wear light-coloured clothing.
• Avoid strong fragrances, perfumes and highly scented shampoos that attract insects.
• Wash hands after eating or handling sticky or sweet foods outdoors (especially children).
• Wear long-sleeved clothing and long trousers in places where insects are common, such as in jungles.
• Take insect repellent everywhere! Regularly apply it on all exposed areas of skin.

Popular wisdom dictates that eating garlic, vitamin B1 or other foods, will repel insects; however, there’s no hard evidence that this is the case.

What to do if you are bitten… or indeed stung!

‘Bites’ is perhaps too general a word, as insects can be either of the biting or stinging variety.

• Stinging insects commonly found include wasps, bees and hornets. The pain from the sting is due to venom (like a poison) which the insect injects into the skin.

• Biting insects that are commonly found, include midges, mosquitoes, fleas, mites, ticks, and sand flies and horseflies.

Occasionally, small skin reactions following an insect bite persist for weeks or months, although this is only common when it comes to tick bites. Bee stings are often a cause of worry, as the stinger can remain in the skin. If this happens, scrape out the stinger as quickly as possible. Do not pluck it out as this may squeeze more venom into the skin.

The basic steps to be taken, before the insect bite becomes infected are as follows:

1 – Use a cold compress to ease pain and to help reduce swelling. For example, use a cold flannel or an ice pack directly on the insect bite.

2 – Painkillers such as paracetamol can help to ease the pain.

3 – There are many over-the-counter ointments and creams available to treat the itchy bites, these help soothe the redness directly, especially if the bite has been scratched.

Allergic reactions and infection in insect bites

Some people have an allergic reaction to the venom in a sting. A localised reaction causes swelling. The swelling is not dangerous unless it affects your airway. However, a more generalised (systemic) allergic reaction can occur and can become serious. This may include itchy, blotchy rashes; facial swelling which can block airways; abdominal cramps; and dilation of blood vessels. A generalised reaction will usually develop within 10 minutes of a sting.

Sometimes, a skin infection develops following an insect bite, particularly if you scratch a lot. This can damage the skin and allow bacteria (germs) to get in.  Over a period of several days, this may spread and sometimes can become serious. This can avoided by applying an antibiotic cream mixed with an anti-allergy steroid cream such as Fusidic acid/hydrocortisone cream.