Insect
Bites and Stings
When
biting insects such as mosquitoes
or fleas feed on humans they inject
venom or other substances into your
skin; which then erupts in a reaction
to the foreign substance. The severity
of your reaction depends on your sensitivity
to the insect venom or substance.
Mosquito bites are usually red itchy
eruptions the size of a dime or smaller.
They appear quickly and go away without
a trace in about a day. Flea bites
are smaller and usually below the
knee, a good clue to their cause.
Fleas are more attracted to dogs or
cats than to humans but are perfectly
willing to dine on all of them.
Stinging
insects, such as bees, wasps, yellow
jackets, various ants and spiders
inject their toxins directly into
the skin, typically producing a painful
red marble-sized swelling. Insect
bites are commonly treated with calamine
lotion: although insect bites are
not generally life threatening.
A
person with an insect-sting allergy
may develop a body wide reaction requiring
medical care include extensive swelling,
generalized itching, hives feelings
of light-headedness, or trouble breathing.
Immediate alleviation of these symptoms
can be brought about by doses of antihistamines
and cortisone.
Some
doctor’s attempt to remove the
stinger from the skin, a delicate
procedure in that it is important
not to dislodge the sac of toxin that
is fixed to the stinger. People with
an insect-sting allergy may benefit
from desensitization treatment provided
by an allergist, a process that involves
injections of small amounts of venom
into the patient’s system in
increasing doses until a resistance
develops.
For mild reactions:
• Move to a safe area to avoid
more stings.
• Scrape or brush off the stinger
with a straight-edged object, such
as a credit card or the back of a
knife. Wash the affected area with
soap and water. Don't try to pull
out the stinger; doing so may release
more venom.
• To reduce pain and swelling,
apply a cold pack or cloth filled
with ice.
• Apply 0.5 percent or 1 percent
hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion
or a baking soda paste — with
a ratio of 3 teaspoons baking soda
to 1 teaspoon water — to the
bite or sting several times a day
until your symptoms subside.
• Take an antihistamine containing
diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Tylenol
Severe Allergy) or chlorpheniramine
maleate (Chlor-Trimeton, Teldrin).
Allergic reactions may include mild
nausea and intestinal cramps, diarrhea
or swelling larger than 2 inches in
diameter at the site. See your doctor
promptly if you experience any of
these signs and symptoms.
For severe reactions:
Severe reactions may progress rapidly.
Dial 911 or call for emergency medical
assistance if the following signs
or symptoms occur:
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of your lips or throat
• Faintness
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Rapid heartbeat
• Hives
• Nausea, cramps and vomiting
Take these actions immediately
while waiting with an affected person
for medical help:
1. Check for special medications that
the person might be carrying to treat
an allergic attack, such as an auto-injector
of epinephrine (for example, EpiPen).
Administer the drug as directed —
usually by pressing the auto-injector
against the person's thigh and holding
it in place for several seconds. Massage
the injection site for 10 seconds
to enhance absorption.
2. After administering epinephrine,
have the person take an antihistamine
pill if he or she is able to do so
without choking.
3. Have the person lie still on his
or her back with feet higher than
the head.
4. Loosen tight clothing and cover
the person with a blanket. Don't give
anything to drink.
5. If there's vomiting or bleeding
from the mouth, turn the person on
his or her side to prevent choking.
6. If there are no signs of circulation
(breathing, coughing or movement),
begin CPR. |
