Allergic reaction (e.g. skin rash, red or itchy skin, worsening of the condition you are treating). 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. Anthisan bite and sting cream is used for relieving the skin redness, swelling, itching and pain associated with insect bites or stings and nettle rash.

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. In infants and children long-term treatment should be avoided especially on the face as adrenal suppression can occur. If you would like to speak in private, most of our stores have a private consultation room where you can speak to a member of our pharmacy team discreetly. The best creams for skin rashes target the pain of itching (for example, an anaesthetic cream) or the cause of rash (for example, an antihistamine cream). For the best results, go for a belt-and-braces approach and use both. Indeed, a couple of our recommended creams contain both local anaesthetics and antihistamines. Here's everything you need to know about Anthisan, including how it works, who shouldn't use it and the potential side effects: How does Anthisan cream work?Itchy skin rashes can drive you mad. Allergic rashes, bug bites, nettle stings and extreme weather can all bring itchy despair to even the healthiest skin. Itchy skin can also be a symptom of a long-term skin condition such as eczema or dermatitis, which may flare up in response to anything from sunshine to stress, truly making life a misery. These can often be found on household pets. Flea bites are small, red and itchy, and usually occur in clusters.

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. 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 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.

Pharmacy product

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. 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. It's a good idea to take a picture of the insect that has stung or bitten you. If this isn't possible, make a mental note of where and when you were bitten. This can help medical professionals identify what insect bit or stung you and therefore give you the most appropriate treatment, should you need it.