What it is and what it is used for

FOR

This medicine contains hydrocortisone which belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids, which act to relieve pain and swelling. It can be used to relieve the swelling, itching and irritation caused by insect bite and sting reactions.

What you need to know before you take it

E BOOTS INSECT BITE & STING TREATMENT 1% CREAM 300 mm

• You should not normally use Boots Insect Bite & Sting Treatment 1% Cream on the face for many weeks or months, unless specifically prescribed by your doctor. The recommended dose is: Adults (including the elderly)
• Gently apply a thin layer of cream to the affected area(s) once or twice a day for no longer than 3 days. Children aged 10 years and above
• Apply as for adults but avoid long term use. Treatment should be limited to 3 days
• The lowest concentration suitable should be used
• Do not use under a nappy or an airtight dressing (such as a plaster) because this will enable too much active ingredient to pass through the skin. Do not use for children under 10 years old. If you use more Boots Insect Bite & Sting Treatment 1% Cream than you should Do not use more of this cream than recommended. If you squeeze out too much cream, wipe off the excess with a paper towel. This medicine is for use on the skin only and should not be used in the mouth or swallowed. If it is accidently swallowed, rinse out the mouth with water and talk to a doctor. If you forget to use Boots Insect Bite & Sting Treatment 1% Cream If you forget to apply Boots Insect Bite & Sting Treatment 1% Cream, apply it as soon as possible and carry on as before. If it is 3 hours or less until the next application, then ignore the missed dose. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not use Boots Insect Bite & Sting Treatment 1% Cream:

• If you are allergic to hydrocortisone or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
• On the face, eyes, anus or genital areas
• If you have any other skin infection such as athlete's foot (tinea pedis), cold sores (Herpes simplex), impetigo, ringworm or thrush, infected lesions, ulcerative conditions, red appearance on face, peri-oral dermatitis or acne
• If you are a child under 10 years old
• For other bites and stings or for other skin conditions. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using Boots Insect Bite & Sting Treatment 1% Cream if you:
• Have psoriasis, the condition may become worse after stopping long-term treatment
• Will be applying the cream to your face. This cream should not be used for long on the face as it may damage the facial skin
• Are using this cream under occlusive dressing that can considerably increase the absorption of this cream. Do not use for children under 10 years of age. Caution should be taken to keep away from the eyes. Contact you doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances. Do not smoke or go near naked flames – risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings etc) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines including medicines obtained without a prescription. Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine. If you are breast-feeding, do not apply the product to your chest area. Boots Insect Bite & Sting Treatment 1% Cream contains Chlorocresol This may cause allergic reactions.

How to take it

BOOTS INSECT BITE & STING TREATMENT 1% CREAM

Always use this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. For application to the skin. Wash your hands before and after applying Boots Insect Bite & Sting Treatment 1% Cream, but if applying to the hands, do not wash after application.

• Apply sufficient cream to thinly cover the affected area and gently rub into the skin until it disappears
• If the affected area becomes weepy or infected, stop using the cream and speak to your doctor. You may need to start antibiotic treatment, especially if the infection spreads

Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not store above 25°C. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment. What Boots Insect Bite & Sting Treatment 1% Cream contains The active substance is micronised hydrocortisone. The other ingredients are Cetomacrogol emulsifying wax, Chlorocresol (see section 2), Liquid paraffin, Macrogol 300, White soft paraffin, Purified water. What Boots Insect Bite & Sting Treatment 1% Cream looks like and contents of the pack A collapsible aluminium tube, with a membrane seal at the nozzle, internal epoxy lacquer, latex end seal band in the crimp seal area and a white plastic cap for reclosure after piercing membrane. This medicine is available in a 10g tube. Marketing Authorisation Holder Strides Pharma UK Ltd. Unit 4, The Metro Centre, Dwight Road, Watford, WD18 9SS This leaflet was last revised in 04/2024.

Manufacturer Beltapharm SpA Via Stelvio, 66 – 20095 Cusano Milanino – Milan – Italy

24-50-488

Possible side effects

Warnings and precautions

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Most patients using Boots Insect Bite & Sting Treatment 1% Cream will have no problems when used in the correct amount for the prescribed time. If the following happens, stop using the cream and tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital:

• An allergic reaction (swelling of the lips, face or neck leading to severe difficulty in breathing; skin rash or hives). This is a very serious but rare side effect. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. Other effects which may occur:
• The skin may become thinner when used in the nappy areas of children where conditions are moist
• If Boots Insect Bite & Sting Treatment 1% Cream is used often over a large area of skin or for a long time, especially under dressings, adverse effects on adrenal gland function are more likely. These effects are also more likely in children
• Prolonged use, especially on sensitive areas including skin folds, may result in thinning of the skin, widening of the blood vessels, stretch marks and may suppress the functioning of the adrenal gland
• Blurred vision. This side effect has been reported, but the frequency for it to occur is not known. If your condition becomes worse during treatment, you may have an allergy to one of the ingredients of the cream or an infection. Stop using the cream and tell your doctor as soon as possible.

Children

How to store it

BOOTS INSECT BITE & STING TREATMENT 1% CREAM

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