What to have ready for the call.
Before requesting care, note when and where the sting or bite happened, what insect was involved if known, how the area has changed, and any symptoms away from the bite site. Have a current list of medicines, allergies, and any previous significant reactions ready. A brief written record of changes may help you prepare for a conversation.
A callback request is not a diagnosis, prescription, referral, laboratory requisition, document, payment, or confirmed appointment. The clinic reviews the concern and may recommend another setting.
When an examination, testing, or another setting may be needed.
This guide cannot decide whether it is safe to wait or which care setting is right for an individual concern. Some concerns need an in-person examination, testing, or another setting. If you are unsure where to go, contact an appropriate in-person healthcare professional or care setting for individual guidance. Use prompt in-person care if you are concerned about worsening symptoms.
Know when not to wait.
Call 911 now for swelling of the throat, mouth, lips, or tongue; breathing trouble; widespread hives with systemic symptoms; fainting; or severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including severe belly pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Virtual care is not appropriate for every concern. If your symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, or may be an emergency, use emergency services or immediate in-person care instead of waiting for a callback.
Common questions about insect stings and bites.
What should I prepare before requesting care?
Note when and where it happened, the insect if known, changes in the area, symptoms away from the site, medicines, allergies, and prior significant reactions. A brief written record may help you prepare for a conversation.
Where does this information come from?
The primary source is MyHealth Alberta’s Insect Stings and Bites: Care Instructions. An additional MyHealth Alberta page covers insect and spider bites more broadly.
How is the care setting chosen?
Share the details of your concern when you request care. The clinic decides whether a virtual conversation or another setting may fit. Seek prompt in-person care for a reaction beyond the bite site, extensive swelling, or infection signs.
What can I request through this guide?
This guide helps you prepare and understand care-navigation boundaries. It does not diagnose, decide virtual suitability, or guarantee medicines, prescriptions, antibiotics, appointments, callbacks, coverage, availability, local clinicians, or results.
When is emergency help needed?
Call 911 for swelling of the throat, mouth, lips, or tongue; breathing trouble; widespread hives with systemic symptoms; fainting; or severe gastrointestinal symptoms.
Non-emergency request
Request a doctor call today.
For people physically in Alberta with a valid Alberta Health Care card. For requests submitted during open hours, a doctor usually calls back within 60 minutes. Timing depends on the concern and appropriate care setting, and is not guaranteed. Outside those hours, callback timing may take longer; a 60-minute or same-day callback is not promised. If your concern cannot wait, use appropriate in-person care; call 911 for a possible emergency.