Anna Whitehouse, the content creator and journalist known as Mother Pukka, was hospitalised earlier this year after a false widow spider bite became infected and developed into sepsis. Initially sent home from A&E with a course of penicillin, her condition deteriorated over the following days, requiring hospital admission, IV antibiotics, and wound treatment.
Research reveals widespread bug bite myths
New research by Asda Pharmacy found that four in 10 Brits still believe myths and old wives' tales about bug bites, with some treating them using toothpaste, vinegar, or other ineffective home remedies. Almost a quarter (23%) would not be able to recognise the signs of an infected bite, while 35% admit they have left a bite untreated because they did not want to 'make a fuss'.
Meanwhile, 69% of GPs say they regularly see patients with insect bites that could have been treated at a pharmacy instead. With two in five Brits (40%) unaware that pharmacists can assess and treat infected bites, including prescribing antibiotics where appropriate, Asda Pharmacy has launched a simple acronym to help people know when to choose Pharmacy First over their GP.
The BITE acronym for prevention and treatment
BITE is a straightforward guide to preventing and treating insect bites: B – Be prepared: Apply insect repellent before heading to known hotspots. I – Itching spreads infection: Resist the urge to scratch. T – Treat it early: Asda Pharmacy can provide expert advice and prescriptions including antibiotics. E – Extreme reactions? Head straight to A&E.
Faisal Tuddy, head of pharmacy at Asda, said: 'Every summer we see the same myths doing the rounds, and the same painful mistakes. Toothpaste won't soothe a sting, and trying to suck out venom can do more harm than good. Most bites are nothing to worry about with the right first aid, but some need prompt treatment to avoid infection - and that's exactly what Pharmacy First is there for. You can walk into any Asda Pharmacy, no appointment needed, and we'll assess it, treat it, and prescribe antibiotics on the spot if needed.'
Anna's warning: trust your instincts
Sharing her experience, Anna said: 'If I could go back, I'd tell myself to trust my instincts sooner. I waited 72 hours hoping it would just get better on its own. By the time I went to A&E, I was sent home with penicillin, but it had already escalated further than that could fix.' Her wound became increasingly bloodied and ulcerated, leaving her seriously ill in hospital and in intense pain.
Anna added: 'If something doesn't feel right, don't wait it out. Get expert advice early because a bite that seems minor can become serious much more quickly than you'd think. That's exactly why what Asda Pharmacy is doing matters - giving people a quick and easy way to get bites checked properly before they become anything like as serious as mine did.'
Top 10 insect bite myths in the UK
- Antihistamine cream can treat an infected bite - 34%
- Most bites will heal on their own without any treatment - 30%
- Alcohol disinfects a bite or sting - 20%
- Vinegar neutralises a sting - 18%
- Tea tree oil effectively disinfects a bite - 16%
- Bites only become dangerous if you're allergic - 14%
- UK spiders are never dangerous enough to need treatment - 11%
- Sucking out venom helps treat a bite - 9%
- Toothpaste helps soothe a bite or sting - 8%
- Bicarbonate of soda paste removes the sting - 7%
