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GP · Insect bites and stings · Private clinic in East London

Private insect bites and stings clinic in London, same-day GP.

Most bites and stings cause redness, swelling and itching that peaks over a day or two and then fades. The three things worth recognising are a severe allergic reaction, a bite that has become infected, and the rash that follows a tick bite. Our private GP clinic in East London offers same-day insect bites and stings assessment with a private GP, diagnosis and a clear treatment plan — usually without a referral and often the same day.

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The condition

What is insect bites and stings?

Most bites and stings cause redness, swelling and itching that peaks over a day or two and then fades. The three things worth recognising are a severe allergic reaction, a bite that has become infected, and the rash that follows a tick bite.

  • What insect bites and stings is
  • Symptoms to look for
  • Causes & risk factors
  • Tests & diagnosis
  • Treatment options
  • When to see a specialist

Understanding insect bites and stings

Insect bites and stings: symptoms, causes, tests & treatment

Call 999 immediately if there is

  • swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth or throat, or a hoarse voice
  • difficulty breathing, wheezing, or a tight chest
  • dizziness, collapse or loss of consciousness
  • a widespread rash or hives spreading beyond the bite
  • sudden vomiting, abdominal pain or a feeling that something is badly wrong

This is anaphylaxis. If an adrenaline auto-injector has been prescribed, use it into the outer thigh straight away, call 999, and lie the person flat with their legs raised. A second dose may be given after five minutes if there is no improvement. Do not stand them up, even if they feel better.

Straight after a sting

  1. Remove a bee sting quickly. Scrape it out sideways with a fingernail or bank card rather than squeezing it with fingers or tweezers, which pushes more venom in. Speed matters more than method.
  2. Wash the area with soap and water.
  3. Apply something cold — a wrapped ice pack or cold flannel for around ten minutes — to limit swelling.
  4. Raise the area if it is on an arm or leg, and remove rings or watches before swelling starts.
  5. Take an antihistamine for itching, and paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain.

Redness is not the same as infection

A bite or sting commonly produces a red, hot, swollen, itchy area that gets larger over the first 24 to 48 hours — sometimes 10cm across or more. That is a normal inflammatory reaction to venom, not an infection, and antibiotics will not help it. Infection develops later, typically after two or three days, and tends to worsen when the reaction should be settling.

Signs a bite has become infected

  • increasing pain and spreading redness after the first two days
  • pus, or fluid weeping from the site
  • a temperature, shivering or feeling unwell
  • swollen, tender glands in the armpit or groin

Removing a tick

Ticks are found in grassland, woodland and parks across the UK, including in and around London. Removing one promptly and properly substantially reduces the risk of Lyme disease.

  1. Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as you can.
  2. Pull steadily upwards. Do not twist, jerk or rock — the aim is to lift the whole tick out, mouthparts included.
  3. Do not burn it, or smother it with petroleum jelly, alcohol or nail polish. These make the tick regurgitate into the wound, which increases the risk.
  4. Clean the bite with soap and water or antiseptic afterwards, and wash your hands.
  5. Note the date, and photograph the bite. If part of the mouthparts stays behind, leave them — the skin will expel them.

The Lyme disease rash

Between three days and three weeks after a tick bite, watch for a spreading circular or oval rash, often clearing in the centre so it looks like a bullseye. It is usually not itchy or painful, and it expands over days. If you see it, or you develop flu-like symptoms, headache, joint pains or extreme tiredness after a tick bite, contact us — Lyme disease is treated with a course of antibiotics and treating it early prevents later problems. Not everyone with Lyme disease gets a rash, so the absence of one does not rule it out.

If you have been bitten abroad

A fever within a year of returning from a country where malaria occurs is a medical emergency until proven otherwise — seek help the same day and say where you have travelled. Tell us about any bite abroad that blisters, ulcerates or fails to heal.

Preventing bites

  • Use an insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin, reapplied as directed.
  • Cover ankles and legs in long grass, and tuck trousers into socks in tick country.
  • Check yourself, children and pets for ticks after being outdoors — behind the knees, in the groin, armpits, waistband, hairline and behind the ears.
  • Keep food and sugary drinks covered outdoors in late summer, when wasps are most aggressive.
  • Do not swat at wasps or bees; move away calmly.

Book an appointment if a bite is spreading and painful after two days, you develop a rash after a tick bite, you have been bitten abroad, or you have had a severe reaction before and need an allergy assessment or an adrenaline auto-injector prescription. We offer allergy testing and travel advice on site.

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Book online any time or call reception — no GP referral needed for most appointments.

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Private assessment

See a private GP for insect bites and stings in London

At our private GP clinic on Whitechapel Road in East London, you can see a private GP or insect bites and stings doctor without a referral — most days, often the same day. A private GP in East London or consultant GP will assess you, arrange the right tests and explain your diagnosis and treatment options clearly. We help patients across East London, Canary Wharf, the City, Docklands and Aldgate who want fast, private answers about insect bites and stings.

Book a private insect bites and stings assessment

Local, private, fast

A private GP clinic for East London & Canary Wharf

Tower Bridge Hospital is on Whitechapel Road in the heart of East London — minutes from Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands and Aldgate. Patients across Tower Hamlets, Wapping, Limehouse and Bethnal Green choose us for a fast, private insect bites and stings appointment with a GP, without the wait or the referral.

Why choose us

Why choose our East London private GP clinic

  • Same-day, no referral — private GP and GP under one roof
  • Specialist-led care with GMC-registered clinicians
  • Tests & scans on site, results explained the same visit
  • Minutes from Canary Wharf & the City of London
  • A named clinician who explains your results clearly
  • Transparent pricing and a plan you can act on

Ready when you are

See a private GP for insect bites and stings — the same day.

Book a private insect bites and stings assessment in East London: same-day appointments, GP-led care and a clear plan. No referral needed.

Book same-day appointment 020 7916 0029

Common questions

Insect bites and stings in London: your questions answered

Where can I find a private insect bites and stings specialist near me in East London?

Our private GP clinic is on Whitechapel Road in East London, minutes from Canary Wharf and the City. You can see a private GP or insect bites and stings doctor for assessment and treatment, usually the same day and without a referral.

Can I see a private GP for insect bites and stings the same day?

Yes. We hold same-day private appointments most days, including Saturdays, so you can be assessed by a GP or GP quickly, with tests done in-house where possible.

How much does a private insect bites and stings appointment cost in London?

We keep pricing transparent — see our fees page or call 020 7916 0029, and we will explain the cost of the insect bites and stings assessment and any tests before you book.

Do I need a referral to see a private GP for insect bites and stings?

No. You can book directly with our clinic. If you are unsure whether to start with a private GP or a GP, we will guide you.

Which areas do you serve for private insect bites and stings care?

We see private patients from across East London, Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands, Aldgate, Wapping, Limehouse and Tower Hamlets.

Medically reviewed by Dr Haydar Bolat — Clinical Director, GMC 7138332. Last reviewed August 2026 · next review August 2027. Written in line with our editorial & content-review policy, using guidance from the NHS, NICE and the relevant royal colleges. This information is general and does not replace personal medical advice.

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Private GP
No referral

Private GP

Same-day GP to start your care.

Urgent Care
Same-day

Urgent Care

For acute problems today.

Private Blood Tests
Fast results

Private Blood Tests

Diagnostic blood tests, explained.

Scans & Imaging
Imaging

Scans & Imaging

Fast CT, MRI & ultrasound.

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In an emergency, call 999. Tower Bridge Hospital London is not an emergency service. Your nearest A&E is The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road E1 1FR — 5 minutes’ walk from our front door.

Areas we serve

Private insect bites and stings care in London & East London — Whitechapel, the City & Canary Wharf

Patients visit our Whitechapel clinic for private insect bites and stings assessment and treatment from right across London and East London, the City and the Docklands — including Aldgate, Bethnal Green, Bow, Shoreditch, Canary Wharf, Stratford, Bermondsey and the surrounding areas. Same-day and walk-in appointments are available and you do not need a GP referral.

Easy to reach — minutes from the Royal London Hospital and Aldgate East, Whitechapel, Aldgate and Liverpool Street stations, and one stop from Canary Wharf on the Elizabeth line.

Private insect bites and stings treatment near me? If you are searching for private insect bites and stings treatment near me, a insect bites and stings doctor or specialist near me, or a private clinic near me in East London, our Whitechapel practice is on your doorstep — walk-in and same-day appointments, no GP referral, and no long NHS waiting list.

Book a same-day appointment or call 020 7916 0029. See our transparent fees. Open 7 days a week, 9am–7pm. Private clinic on Whitechapel Road, London E1 — serving Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham, Islington, the City of London and Southwark.

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