INSECT BITES & STINGS
»U BASIC INFOR~ATION
• Remove stinger. Scrape it out. Don't use tweezers.
• For bee, wasp, yellow-jacket, or hornet stings, rub a
. ~ paste of meat tenderizer and water into the site.
DESCRIPTION t o For ant bites rub the bite with ammonia; repeat as
Skin eruptions and other symptoms caused by insect often as necessary.
bites or stings from mosquitoes, fleas, chiggers, bed- • For spider or scorpion bites, capture the insect, if pos-
bugs, ants, spiders, bees, wasps, hornets, scorpions, sible, and seek medical help.
and other insects. The victim often doesn't remember • For a tick, use a tweezer to remove it Put it in a jar
being bitten or stung. with alcohol to kill it. Save it in case more medical prob-
lems develop.
FREQUENT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
• Clean the wound. Apply an ice pack.
• Red lumps in the skin. The lumps usually appear
• Elevate and rest the affected body part.
within minutes after the bite or sting. Some don't
• Warm-water soaks help soothe minor pain. Cool-
appear for 6 to 12 hours. Skin reactions fall into 2 kinds:
water soaks feel better for itching.
-Atoxic reaction with pain and sometimes fever,
• If you have had anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction)
such as from bee stings.
following an insect bite, Carry a special kit to treat it in
- A toxic reaction with itching due to the body's the future.
release of histainine at the site of the bite, such as from
mosquitoes, MEDICAnONS
• For minor discomfort, you may use:
CAUSES
- Nonprescription oral antihistamines to decrease
The insect bite or sting causes an injection of venom
itching.
into the skin. This starts a reaction from the body's
- Nonprescription topical steroid drugs to reduce red-
immune system. The reaction may be mild to severe,
ness and soreness and to decrease itching. For face and
depending on how sensitive a person is to the toxin.
groin, use only low-potency steroid products without
RISK INCREASES WITH fluorine.
~•. • Areas with heavy insect infestations. • For serious symptoms, you may be prescribed:
" • Warm weather in spring and summer. - Stronger topical steroids or oral steroids if the reac-
• Lack of protective measures. tion is severe.
• Perfumes, colognes. - Injection of drugs may be needed to prevent or
PREVENTIVE MEASURES reduce symptoms of anaphylaxis.
• If you cannot avoid exposure, apply insect repellents • A tetanus shot if needed for some patients.
with diethyltoluamide (DEE'!)to the skin. ACTIVITY
• Wear protective clothing. Apply permethrin to cloth- No limits.
ing to repel insects and ticks.
DIET
EXPECTED OUTCOMES No special diet.
6
Most of the symptoms are mild and go away in 2 to 3
days. Scratching may occur for several weeks.
Treatment helps, but it doesn't cure quickly. NOTIFY OUR OFFICE IF
POSSIBLE COMPUCAnONS • You or a family member has an insect bite or sting
• A bacterial infection at the site of the bite. and has a severe reaction. This is an emergency!
• Anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reaction) for cer- • Self-care does not relieve symptoms, or symptoms
tain super-sensitive persons. don't improve after 2 to 3 days of treatment.
• Scarring on the skin. • Fever occurs and bitten area becomes red, swollen,
• Disorders caused by certain insects. These include warm, and tender. This could mean an infection.
Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, West Nile
virus, malaria, and others.
Special notes:
~ DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT
• GENERAL MEASURES
• • For severe reactions to a bite or sting, get emergency
help right away. They can be life-threatening. For most
bites and stings, self-careis usually all that is needed.
More notes on the back of this page 0
Copyright CI 2005 by Elsevier.
All rights reserved 265
