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Insect Bites and Hives (Urticaria)

Ottawa summers come with mosquitoes, blackflies, and wasps — and sometimes with hives that appear out of nowhere. When the itch is beyond what calamine can handle, a licensed pharmacist at our Orleans pharmacy can assess the reaction and prescribe prescription-strength antihistamines or topical corticosteroids. Free with your Ontario health card.

Insect bites usually cause a small area of redness, swelling, and itch. Hives (urticaria) are raised, itchy welts that can appear suddenly, change shape, and come and go over hours. Most cases are mild and settle on their own — but the itch can be miserable in the meantime.

Bites, stings, and hives — what's normal

A local reaction — redness and swelling under a few centimetres that peaks within a day or two — is normal and manageable at home or with pharmacist-prescribed treatment. Hives without an obvious trigger are also usually benign and respond well to non-drowsy antihistamines. What's not normal: reactions that spread rapidly, involve breathing or swallowing, or come with dizziness — those are emergencies. A pharmacist assessment sorts the miserable-but-minor from the needs-a-doctor.

Most insect bite reactions are localized and self-limited — serious outcomes are rare and usually involve allergy (anaphylaxis). For prevention, health authorities recommend repellents with DEET or icaridin, which our pharmacists can help you choose by age and situation.

Common signs and symptoms

Red, swollen, itchy bump at the bite or sting site
Raised, itchy welts (hives) that migrate and change shape
Clusters of bites on exposed skin (mosquitoes, blackflies) or in lines (bed bugs, fleas)
Local warmth and swelling that peaks within 24–48 hours

Treatments our Orleans pharmacist can prescribe

For your information only: in Ontario, our pharmacist can assess this condition and, when appropriate, prescribe from the medications listed below. This information is provided for educational purposes — it is not an offer to sell. These are treatments that require a pharmacist assessment, and the right option is chosen for you.

Antihistamines: Bilastine (Blexten), Cetirizine (Reactine), Chlorpheniramine, Cyproheptadine, Desloratadine (Aerius), Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), Fexofenadine (Allegra), Hydroxyzine (Atarax), Loratadine (Claritin), Rupatadine (Rupall)

Antipruritics & anti-inflammatory agents: Benzocaine, Calamine, Camphor, Desonide, Hydrocortisone, Lidocaine, Menthol, Pramoxine, Zinc oxide

Self-care that helps

Oral antihistamines for itch and swelling (Reactine, Claritin, Aerius, Benadryl)
Hydrocortisone cream 0.5% / 1% for localized itch
Calamine, menthol/camphor, or anesthetic lotions (e.g., pramoxine) to soothe
Cool compresses on bites and stings
Insect repellents with DEET or icaridin to prevent bites

Browse related over-the-counter options in our Insect Bites and Hives (Urticaria) self-care collection, or ask us in store — our pharmacists will point you to what actually helps.

How the assessment works

1. Walk in or callNo appointment or referral needed. Drop by our pharmacy on St-Joseph Blvd in Orleans during opening hours, or call ahead.

2. Private consultationA licensed pharmacist reviews your symptoms, health history and medications in a short, private assessment.

3. Prescription in handIf appropriate, we prescribe and fill your treatment on the spot — you leave with what you need.

Frequently asked questions

My hives keep coming back — what can you do?

Recurrent hives respond well to modern non-drowsy antihistamines, sometimes at higher prescription-guided doses. Options like bilastine (Blexten) or rupatadine (Rupall) are prescription-only in Canada. Hives persisting beyond 6 weeks need a physician work-up — we screen for that.

When is swelling around a bite an infection instead of a reaction?

Reactions peak within 24–48 hours then improve. Swelling that starts worsening after that window — increasingly red, warm, painful, or streaking — suggests infection and needs medical care.

What about a wasp or bee sting?

Remove the stinger promptly (scrape, don't squeeze), apply cold, and use antihistamines for swelling. Anyone with a known severe allergy should carry an epinephrine auto-injector — which we also dispense and can teach you to use.

Is the pharmacist assessment covered by OHIP?

Yes. The minor ailment assessment is free with a valid Ontario health card. You only pay for the medication itself if one is prescribed, and that is often covered by your drug plan.

Do I need an appointment at your Orleans pharmacy?

No. Walk-ins are welcome during all pharmacy hours — Monday to Friday 9:00 AM–6:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM. You can also call 613-824-3111 ahead of your visit.

When to see a doctor instead: Call 911 for signs of a severe allergic reaction — trouble breathing, throat or tongue swelling, widespread hives with dizziness or vomiting. See a health professional if a bite worsens after 24–48 hours, spreads over a large area, or you develop fever or flu-like symptoms within 30 days (possible West Nile or Lyme disease).

Itching to feel better?

Skip the walk-in clinic wait. Our Orleans pharmacists assess and prescribe for insect bites and hives — free with your Ontario health card.

Call 613 · 824 · 3111 Hours & directions

Serving Orleans and east Ottawa — Fallingbrook, Avalon, Chapel Hill, Queenswood Heights, Blackburn Hamlet, Navan & Cumberland. 2746 St-Joseph Blvd, Unit 100, Orleans, ON K1C 1G5.