Doctors have been ordered to stop routinely prescribing antibiotics for insect bites. The guidance stated the pills should not be given for bites and stings unless it has clearly developed into an infection.
Public Health England and NICE said this is rare and most redness, itchiness, or swelling is a an inflammatory or allergic reaction.
Many patients head to their GPs and expect pills for wasp stings that have developed a reaction as well as bites from holidays abroad.
The move is part of a drive to tackle antibiotic resistance linked to the over prescribing of the drugs. Increasing resistance claims tens of thousands of lives every year amid warnings of an “antibiotic apocalypse” where routine surgeries become life threatening.
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