Bites & Stings

For Bites Signs & Symptoms n Less common, but more dangerous, are bites from skunks, raccoons, bats, and other n Swelling. Redness. Pain. Itching. animals that live in the wild. These animals n Bleeding. can have rabies – a serious viral infection. It can be fatal. Most house pets are n Tissue loss, if the wound is severe. vaccinated for rabies. It’s unlikely they carry n Skin rash. the virus. n Lockjaw. This is a painful, persistent n Mosquito bites can cause West Nile virus if stiffness of the jaw due to a toxin. Tetanus the mosquito is infected with it. shots can prevent this. (See Immunization n Snake bites can be fatal if the bite is from a Schedule at www.HealthyLearn.com.) poisonous snake (e.g., rattlesnakes, cotton n Allergic reaction, such as with insect bites. mouths, copperheads, and coral snakes). (See Signs & Symptoms of Allergies at n Shark bites are a potential problem when www.HealthyLearn.com.) swimming in shark-infested waters.

Causes Treatment n Dog, cat, and human Self-care can be used for dog and cat bites that bites are the most cause scratches on the skin and for insect bites common animal bites that do not cause a severe allergic reaction. All in the U.S. human bites that break the skin should be checked n Deer tick bites can by a doctor due to the high risk for infection. cause Lyme disease, a A series of rabies shots can prevent the spread bacterial infection. Deer tick on scalp of rabies to humans. The shots should begin n Bed bug bites cause redness, swelling, and soon after a bite from an infected animal. large, red welts or raised areas on the skin. Antivenom can be given for poisonous snake n Black widow and brown recluse spider bites bites at emergency medical facilities. It should can cause severe reactions. be given within 4 hours of the bite.

Bites & Stings, Continued

For Stings Signs & Symptoms Treatment

n Quick, sharp pain. Self-care treats mild reactions to stings. A severe allergic reaction needs immediate care. n Swelling, itching, and redness at the sting Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction usually site. These can occur beyond the sting site. happen soon after or within an hour of the sting. n Raised bump (with or without pus). n Signs of a severe allergic reaction . (See at Persons with a severe allergic reaction to a sting www.HealthyLearn.com.) in the past should carry an emergency kit, prescribed by a doctor. A medical alert tag Causes should be worn to let others know of the allergy. Persons who have had severe reactions to bee or n Insect stings. (See at wasp stings should ask their doctors about www.HealthyLearn.com.) allergy shots. n Marine animals that sting include jellyfish, Portuguese Man-of-War, and sea nettles.

Questions to Ask Was the bite or sting from a poisonous Are any of these problems present? snake, spider, etc. or do any of these • Signs of a severe allergic reaction problems occur? listed at www.HealthyLearn.com. • Fainting. Feeling lightheaded. {Note: Before emergency care, use • Confusion. emergency kit as directed.} • Seizures. • Signs of shock . (See at • Feeling restless or dizzy. www.HealthyLearn.com.) • Breathing problems. • Painful cramps and muscle stiffness {Note: • The bite severely mangled the skin Give first and/or causes severe bleeding. in the abdomen, shoulders, chest, aid as {Note: See First Aid For Severe and/or back. needed. Bleeding at www.HealthyLearn.com.} • Fever. Chills. Heavy sweating. See on • Nausea. Vomiting. next page.} Was the bite from an animal that foams at the mouth or lives in the wild Was the bite over a joint and does it or from a pet that has not been cause painful movement? immunized against rabies? Flowchart continued on next page Flowchart continued in next column Emergency Conditions / First Aid

Bites & Stings, Continued

For Non-Poisonous Snake Do you have a fever, pus, or increased swelling and/or Bites redness 24 or more hours after the animal bite? n Gently wash the site with soap and water. n Treat the bite as a minor wound. (See For Minor Cuts and Scrapes at Self-Care / First Aid www.HealthyLearn. com.) For Poisonous Snake Bites Before Medical Care n Carefully move the person away from the snake. Calm the person. n If you notice signs of an Have him or her rest. Moving about can help spread the venom. infection, call your n doctor. Gently wash the bite area with soap and water. Keep the limb of the bite site level with the heart (or just below this). Apply a splint to the limb of the bite site to keep it from moving. For Poisonous Spider Bites Until Emergency n Being careful, note, if you can, the shape of the snakes eyes, pupils, Care Arrives and head, the colors it is, and if it has rattles. n Perform rescue n Don’t try to kill the snake, cut the fang mark, or suck out the venom. breathing, if needed. n (See “ Rescue Breath ” Don’t apply a tourniquet, a bandage, or ice to the bite. at www. For Poisonous Spider and Scorpion Bites Before Medical Care HealthyLearn.com.) n Do rescue breathing, if needed. n If you can, keep the n If you can, keep the bitten area lower than the level of the heart. bitten area lower than the level of the heart. n Calm the victim and keep him or her warm. n Calm the person and n Gently clean the site of the bite with soap and water or rubbing keep him or her warm. alcohol. n Gently clean the site of n Put an ice pack over the bite site to relieve pain. the bite with soap and n If you can, catch the spider in a closed container to show the doctor. water or rubbing alcohol. n Get emergency care! n Put an ice pack over the For Human Bites Before Medical Care bite site for pain relief. n Wash the wound area with soap and water for at least 5 minutes. n If you can, catch the Don’t scrub hard. Rinse with running water or with an antiseptic spider in a closed solution, such as Betadine. container to show what n Cover the wound area with sterile gauze. Tape only the ends of the kind it is. gauze in place. Then get medical care. Emergencies & First Aid

Bites & Stings, Continued For a Stingray Bite n For Deer Tick Bites Remove the n Remove any ticks found on the skin. Use person from the tweezers to grasp the tick(s) as close to the water. skin as you can. Pull gently and carefully in a n Apply a local steady upward motion at the point where the pressure bandage tick’s mouthpart enters the skin. Try not to for a wound that crush the tick. The secretions released may bleeds a lot. Stingray. spread disease. n Immerse the wound area in hot water for 30 n After you remove the ticks, wash the wound to 90 minutes. Make sure the water is not hot area and your hands with soap and water. Apply enough to burn the skin. rubbing alcohol to help disinfect the area. n Scrub the wound area well with soap and water. n Use an ice pack over the bite area to relieve n Unless the wound is a slight one in only one pain. limb, get medical help right away. n Save one tick in a closed jar with rubbing alcohol to show the doctor. For Stings from Jellyfish or Sea Nettles, etc. n Remove the person from the water. Don’t For Dog and Cat Bites touch the sting area with bare hands. n Wash the bite area right away with soap and n warm water for 5 minutes. If the bite is deep, Rinse the sting area with salt (not fresh) water flush the wound with water for 10 minutes. right away. Don’t put ice on the skin. If you Dry the wound with a clean towel. Then get can, put vinegar or rubbing alcohol on the area medical care. several times for 30 or more minutes until the pain is relieved. n If the wound is swollen, apply ice wrapped in n a towel for 10 minutes. Apply dry or moist heat to the sting area until the pain subsides. You can mix one part n Get a tetanus shot, if needed. ammonia with 3 parts salt water and apply n If the bite hurts, take an over-the-counter this to the sting area. (OTC) medicine for pain. n Wear gloves when you remove stingers. Use a n Report the incident to the animal control towel to wipe the stingers or the tentacles off. department. If a pet’s immunizations are not Use tweezers to lift large tentacles. Don’t current, arrange with the animal control scrape or rub them. department for the pet to be observed for the n To relieve itching, apply OTC calamine lotion next 10 days to check for rabies. or 1% hydrocortisone cream to the affected n Observe the wound for a few days. Look for area as directed on the label. signs of infection. Often, cat bite wounds n Contact your doctor for any signs of need an antibiotic. infection . (See at www.HealthyLearn.com.)