How to Treat Insect Stings and Bites

Posted: Jan 20, 2011 |Comments: 0 |

Stings and bites from bees, wasps and ants can be painful but are not usually dangerous. It is only an allergic reaction, or a sting or bite in the throat or mouth, that can endanger life.
If the victim has been stung by a bee, the sting will probably be left embedded in the skin. Remove it with a pair of tweezers. Alternatively, gently scrape the sting out with a knife blade or needle that has been sterilised in a flame. Wasps and ants do not leave stings behind.

Dealing with allergic reaction
A massive allergic reaction to a sting is known as anaphylactic shock. It occurs within a few seconds or minutes, and the casualty will become very weak and feel sick. His chest will feel tight and he will have difficulty breathing. He may be sneezing and his face may swell up. Less often, he may become unconscious, and may stop breathing.

  • Telephone the emergency services and ask for an ambulance.
  • Reassure the casualty that help is on the way.
  • Lay him on his back. Raise the feet on a cushion or folded coat. Keep his head low  and turn it to one side in case he vomits.
  • Keep the casualty warm with a blanket or rug,.
  • Loosen tight clothing around the neck and waist to help with breathing.
  • Do not give the casualty anything to eat or drink. Do not allow him to smoke either – it may make breathing more difficult.
  • If the casualty becomes unconscious, or vomiting seems likely, or breathing becomes very difficult, put him in the recovery position.

Stings to the mouth or throat
A sting to the mouth or throat can cause the throat to swell rapidly, blocking the airway.

  • Give the victim an ice cube or some ice cream to suck, or cold water to drink, to lessen the swelling.
  • If breathing stops, start artificial respiration immediately.
  • Call for an ambulance or take the victim at once to the hospital.

Blood-sucking ticks
Ticks are spider-like creatures which suck the blood of animals and humans by clinging to the skin with beak-like mouths. They are active in spring and summer, and may attach themselves to farm workers or children who play in woods or grassy areas. Their bodies swell up to hold the blood they feed on. Do not try to pull a tick out. Touch it with a lit cigarette or match and it will fall off. Alternatively, cover it with machine oil or cooking oil to close its breathing pores. It may fall off at once; if not, leave the oil for half an hour and then remove the tick carefully with tweezers. Wash the area with soap and water and apply antihistamine cream.

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