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Stings and Bites


Stings and bites are very common--we are all familiar with the redness, swelling, pain and itching that usually resolves in two to three days. Occasionally, however, problems can arise. These include persistent infestation, venom reactions, allergy to the sting/bite and secondary infection.

Fleas, mosquitoes, bedbugs, scorpions, lice, and ants bite and run. Chiggers, scabies and other mites burrow and stay. Bumble bees, hornets, wasps and yellow jackets sting and sting again. Honey bees sting, leave their stinger in you, and go off to die. Spiders can repeatedly bite. Black widows inject a neuro toxin that can cause severe muscle spasms. Recluse spiders inject you with an enzyme that can cause local necrosis (ulceration) of your skin. Ticks hang on and suck your blood. When your blood attempts to clot, they inject you with an enzyme through their saliva that can contain Lyme or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever bacteria.

Instructions

  1. If possible, kill and keep any bug you don't recognize, especially ticks and spiders. Bring them if you come in.
  2. Check your wound for and remove any dirt, tiny tick, tick parts, bee stingers, etc.
  3. Scrub with soap and water.
  4. Check on your tetanus status. These are puncture wounds.
  5. A paste made of baking soda or meat tenderizer rubbed in to the wound seems to help.
  6. Ice packs (off and on) or cold compresses for a few hours help relieve pain, itching and swelling.
  7. "Rid" or "Kwell" are applied for mites, lice and scabies. These insecticides can also be dotted onto chiggers--the sooner the better.
  8. Aspirin or ibuprofen can help relieve pain and inflammation. Tylenol helps pain.
  9. Antihistamines (Benadryl, Seldane, etc.) can help itching and allergic reactions.

Call If

  1. You are not improving each day or if your sting/bite size becomes larger, redder, warmer or more painful.
  2. You develop red streaks or pus.
  3. You develop fever over 100 degrees F.
  4. You develop hives.
  5. You have problems with your medicine.

Note: Do not be surprised or alarmed if you develop a small purple spotted bruise as your reaction site improves.

Call 911 or Go to Emergency Room If...

  1. You develop systemic allergic symptoms such as wheezing, dizziness, head buzzing, chest pain, nausea or abdominal cramping.
  2. You have a history of systemic reactions from previous stings.