Home Symptoms Insect bites and stings

Insect bites and stings — what to take?

Insect bites and stings cause local reactions (redness, swelling, itching) or sometimes systemic ones (anaphylaxis). A severe reaction to a wasp/bee/hornet is a medical emergency.

Also known as: insect bite mosquito bite bee sting fleas
5 recommended OTC drugs
8,327 pharmacies available

In short: Mosquito, flea, or bee stings usually trigger a local reaction — redness, swelling, and itching. Over the counter you can use antihistamines such as cetirizine, hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, or an after-bite pen, while DEET repellents help with prevention. On HartaFarmacii you can compare the price of these OTC products across major pharmacies (Dr. Max, Tei, Catena, HelpNet), with prices updated daily. This information is for guidance only and does not replace medical advice; seek emergency help at signs of anaphylaxis — widespread hives, difficulty breathing, or fainting.

Data verified on from public sources (OpenStreetMap, chain websites, ANM/MS) — updated daily.

OTC — no prescription

What you can take for insect bites and stings

Informational only — HartaFarmacii is not an approved medical site. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. Don't self-medicate. Emergencies: 112.

When to see a doctor

If any of these signs appear, consult a doctor — OTC treatment is not enough:

  • Anaphylaxis (generalized hives, shortness of breath, collapse) — EMERGENCY
  • Extensive facial swelling
  • Signs of local infection (suppuration, spreading redness)
  • Tick detected after 24h
  • Erythema migrans after a tick bite (Lyme)
  • Multiple bites or stings in young children

Types

Mosquitoes, fleas, bed bugs — itching, erythematous papule. Benign local reaction.

Bees, wasps, bumblebees — acute pain, local swelling, possible anaphylaxis in allergic individuals.

Spiders — most are harmless in Romania.

Ticks — carriers of Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, etc.

First aid

  1. Remove the stinger (in bee stings) — with a card, not with tweezers (avoid squeezing the venom sac).
  2. Wash with soap and water.
  3. Ice for 10-15 min for swelling and pain.
  4. Oral antihistamine for marked itching.

OTC treatment

Oral antihistamines — cetirizine, loratadine.

Hydrocortisone 0.5-1% creams — for persistent swelling and itching.

Anti-itch creams — menthol, calamine.

After bite" pen — ammonia, menthol, helps with mosquitoes.

Ice + compresses — reduces swelling.

Paracetamol/ibuprofen — for pain.

Anaphylaxis — EMERGENCY

The signs: generalized hives, swelling of the face/tongue/throat, shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, dizziness, hypotension, collapse. Immediate treatment: intramuscular adrenaline (EpiPen if you have one), then call 112 — this is mandatory. People with a known allergy must always carry an auto-injector.

Ticks

Quick removal (within 24h): fine tweezers, steady vertical traction, do NOT twist. Disinfect. Monitor for 30 days — the appearance of a circular rash (erythema migrans) or flu-like symptoms → antibiotic treatment (doxycycline).

Repellents

  • DEET 20-50% — the most effective.
  • Picaridin (Icaridin) — a non-DEET alternative.
  • Essential oils (lavender, citronella) — modest effect.
  • Window screens, mosquito nets.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a healthcare professional.

Medicines compared

Medicines used for insect bites and stings

This list is for guidance only, generated automatically from the DCI/category match. It is not a medical recommendation — consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

This list is not a medical recommendation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Search the pharmacy

Medicines for insect bites and stings

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for insect bites and stings

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it's night or a weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For insect bites and stings most of the listed remedies are over the counter, so you can walk in without a prescription, but check stock and prices on the comparator page first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active ingredient (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.), search it in the comparator before you leave — you'll see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it's in stock. For chronic prescriptions, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and turn on hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially when treatment for insect bites and stings runs over weeks.

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Alergie

Alergia e un răspuns imun exagerat la substanțe în mod normal inofensive (polen, praf, alimente, medicamente). Se manifestă cu mâncărime, urticarie, rinită, astm, anafilaxie.

 Symptom

Urticarie

Urticaria = erupție cu plăci eritematoase, pruriginoase, migratorii, care apar și dispar în ore. Acută (sub 6 săptămâni) sau cronică (peste 6 săptămâni).

 Symptom

Mâncărime

Mâncărimea (pruritul) e una dintre cele mai frecvente probleme dermatologice. Cauze: piele uscată, alergii, dermatită, boli sistemice (tiroidă, ficat, rinichi).

Frequently asked

What else do you want to know?

The bee stinger — how do I remove it?
With a card or your fingernail — scrape sideways. Not with tweezers — that squeezes the venom sac. Wash + ice + antihistamine.
When should I worry about a bite or sting?
Systemic signs: generalized hives, shortness of breath, facial swelling, dizziness. Call 112 immediately and use adrenaline if you have an EpiPen.
Mosquitoes prefer me — why?
Genetics, blood type O, sweating, more exhaled CO2, body heat, smell. DEET 30% repellent + long clothing.
The tick — do I have to remove the head?
Yes, completely. Steady vertical traction with tweezers at the base. Disinfect. Monitor for 30 days for Lyme symptoms.

See also

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