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Insect bites and stings - Management
What advice can I give to prevent insect bites and stings?
- Advise the person to:
- Take sensible precautions, especially if they have had a bad reaction to a sting or bite in the past:
- Cover exposed skin where possible (e.g. wear long sleeves or trousers).
- Wear shoes when out of doors.
- Avoid using products with strong perfumes (e.g. soaps, shampoos, and deodorants) as these attract insects.
- Avoid flowering plants, outdoor areas where food is served, rubbish, or compost areas.
- Destroy insect nests (e.g. wasp nests) in or near the person's house or garden. The local council or a pest control expert may need to remove the nest.
- Avoid tick-infested areas if possible, however if the person is in a tick-infested area they should:
- Wear long sleeved shirts and trousers tucked into socks (light coloured fabrics are useful as it is easier to see ticks against a light background).
- Walk in the centre of paths to avoid contact with vegetation.
- Check that ticks are not brought home on clothes.
- Inspect skin frequently and remove any attached ticks.
- Ensure that children's head, neck and scalp areas are checked.
- To reduce the risk of insect bites apply an insect repellent to exposed areas. Repellents that contain DEET (diethyl-toluamide) are usually considered the most effective.
Basis for recommendation
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