People seeking advice on insect bites and stings triples
- 12 July 2023
- Healthcare News
- News
The number of people looking for advice on insect stings and bites has increased with the NHS website reporting triple the amount of views to its insect bite and sting page compared to last summer.
NHS England, which runs the NHS.uk website, reported that monthly visits reached 261,364 in June 2023, compared to 86,984 in June 2022. The biggest spike was from 12 to 18 June 2023 when there were 91,630 weekly visits – equal to one every seven seconds.
The NHS page includes information on removing stingers, easing symptoms and when to seek further medical attention.
For most people, a bee or wasp sting isn’t dangerous, but for a small minority it can cause a serious allergic reaction – known as anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is life-threatening and requires an immediate medical response. This is why Anaphylaxis UK is encouraging members of the public to familiarise themselves with the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and what to do in an emergency as part of our Bee Allergy Aware campaign.
Now in it’s second year, the campaign provides information and guidance on bee and wasp sting allergy, ways to avoid being stung and what to do if you think you may be allergic. Anyone can register to receive the free mini-guide available on our website.
To find out more about Bee & Wasp Sting Allergies and download the guide, please visit the Bee Allergy Aware page.
