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Our friendly team is available to help Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm.
If you need urgent assistance, do not use this service. Call 111, or in an emergency call 999.
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Soothe the itch, swelling and redness of insect bites fast — no GP appointment, no waiting rooms. Complete a quick online consultation and have your treatment dispensed by a UK-registered pharmacy and delivered to your door.
Order before 3pm — same-day dispatch (MON - FRI)
~5 min consultation
Secure & confidential · Reviewed by a UK prescriber
No subscription required · Free repeat prescriptions · Cancel anytime
Suitable age
10 years +
Max per order
2 tubes
Consultation
Yes — free online consultation required
Hydrocortisone 1% is a mild topical corticosteroid used to calm the inflammation that makes insect bites and stings so uncomfortable. When a mosquito, midge, gnat, flea or other insect bites, your immune system reacts to its saliva, releasing histamine and other chemicals that cause the classic itchy, red, swollen bump. Hydrocortisone works by reducing this inflammatory response in the skin, which quickly eases itching, redness and swelling and helps the bite settle faster. It is available as a light, fast-absorbing cream for weepy or daytime use and as a richer ointment that locks in moisture for dry, very itchy skin. Both contain the same 1% strength of hydrocortisone. It is one of the most widely recommended treatments in the UK for the irritation of insect bites and stings, and our prescribers will confirm during your free online consultation whether it is right for you and how to use it safely.
| Type of medicine | Mild topical corticosteroid (cream or ointment) |
| Treats | Itching, redness and swelling from insect bites and stings |
| Typical use | Apply a thin layer 1–2 times a day for up to 7 days |
| Suitable for | Adults and children aged 10 years and over (face and genitals excluded) |
| How to get it | Free online consultation — dispensed by a UK pharmacy |
Hydrocortisone 1% is best for insect bites and stings that are itchy, red and swollen but where the skin is not broken or infected. Wash and dry the area, then apply a thin layer to the bite once or twice a day and rub it in gently. A little goes a long way — you only need enough to cover the bite with a fine film. Most people use it for a few days until the itching settles, and you should not use it for longer than 7 days without advice. Avoid using it on broken skin, the face, around the eyes, or on the genitals unless a prescriber tells you to. If the bite is weeping, spreading, getting more painful, or you feel unwell, this may be a sign of infection rather than simple irritation — hydrocortisone will not treat an infection, so seek advice. Call 111 for guidance, or 999 if you have difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, mouth or throat, or feel faint after a sting, as these can be signs of a serious allergic reaction.
Yes. Hydrocortisone 1% is a mild steroid cream that is widely used in the UK to calm the itching, redness and swelling caused by insect bites and stings. It works best on bites where the skin is unbroken and not infected. Apply a thin layer once or twice a day for a few days until the irritation settles.
Many people notice the itching and redness easing within a few hours of the first application. The bite usually continues to improve over the next day or two with regular use. If there is no improvement after about a week, or the bite is getting worse, stop and seek advice as it may not be simple irritation.
Hydrocortisone 1% is available from UK pharmacies for adults and children over 10 for insect bite reactions, but it is sold under pharmacy supervision rather than freely on the shelf. Ordering through our service means a UK prescriber checks it is suitable for you and it is dispensed by a registered pharmacy, with delivery to your door.
Both contain the same 1% hydrocortisone, so they are equally effective. The cream is lighter, less greasy and absorbs quickly, which suits weepy bites or daytime use. The ointment is thicker and more moisturising, making it better for dry, very itchy or scaly skin and for overnight use. Choose whichever feels more comfortable for the area you are treating.
You do not need a GP appointment. Simply complete a short, free online consultation — it takes around five minutes — and a UK-registered prescriber will review your answers to confirm hydrocortisone 1% is suitable for you. If approved, it is dispensed by a UK pharmacy and delivered discreetly to your door.
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Next-day delivery
Order before 3pm where offered
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