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INSECT BITES
& STINGS
GENERAL INSECT STINGS
1.
If a stinger is present, remove it by scraping away or gently pulling it
out with forceps.
2.
Apply paste of baking soda and cold cream or use a commercially available
sting aid for topical relief of mosquito and other insect bites. Calamine
lotion will also relieve itching
3.
If multiple stings, or unusual reaction (i.e. excessive reddish skin or
breathing issues), or a history of severe reactions, take victim immediately to
advanced medical support.
Bed Bug Bites
Description: Bedbugs are
flat-bodied, oval, reddish brown and about a ¼ in size. Although not painful at
first, bed bug bites usually become red, swollen and itchy. Reactions to bites
range from mild to severe.
Bee & Wasp Stings
Description: A very sore area that is red and
swollen. Usually there is a stinger protruding from the
skin.
Treatment:
1.
Scrape the stinger away with the edge of a
credit card, knife blade, or thumbnail. Do not try and squeeze the stinger
out, as this will cause more bee/wasp venom into the skin.
2.
After removing the stinger, wash the area
with soap and water.
3.
Apply a cool washcloth or ice
pack.
4.
Some people
have symptoms of severe allergic reactions are:
·
shortness of breath
·
thickening of the tongue
·
sweating
·
an anaphylactic shock
·
Seek medical help immediately if
you have an allergic reaction.
Chiggers
Description:
It is generally visible only
with magnification. Chiggers are different than mites
in that they feed only in the larval stage. The chigger larvae get onto
the skin and move around until they meet some obstacle, for example the
waistband of underwear, the elastic band of socks, etc. They then attach
to the skin and begin feeding. The area around where they are feeding
usually turns red with an itching sensation.
Treatment:
1.
Wash area with soap and water
2.
Apply local topical hydrocortisone cream; antihistamine, or local anesthetic
cream should be applied to reduce the itching. Calamine lotion can also be
used.
3.
The wounds
must not be
scratched
Preventive:
Spray your feet and ankles
with a quality insect repellent containing Deet. Dimenthyl phthalate or flowers of sulphur can also
be used in the socks and around the ankles.
Fire-Ant Sting
Description: After being stung by the fire ant, tiny
painful red bumps appear. After an hour or so, they usually change into
blisters.
Treatment:,
1.
Apply ice pack at ten minute intervals for
a period up to ½ hour
2.
When through with ice pack treatment,
apply bite soothing lotion such as calamine.
3.
Some people have
symptoms of severe allergic reactions are:
·
shortness of breath
·
thickening of the tongue
·
sweating
·
an anaphylactic shock
·
Seek medical help immediately if
you have an allergic reaction.
Flea Bite
Description: Usually flea bites are suspected when
tiny itchy red bumps appear below the knee.
Treatment:
1.
Reduce itching by applying an ice pack
2.
After removing ice pack and drying skin,
applying soothing lotion such as calamine
Mosquito Bites
Description: Have a long proboscis (snout) for sucking
blood. They are most active in shady, low light, damp or marshy
areas.
Treatment: Use sting aid for topical relief of mosquito
bites.
Scorpion Sting
Description: Usually found in the south western portions of the
US. Less dangerous than the black widow, with the exception of
babies.
Treatment:
1.
Cold
packs
2.
Get
victim to advanced medical support as soon as possible.
Spider Bites
Description and Identification of
Spiders:
|
|
Description |
Habitat |
Problem |
|
Brown Recluse |
Oval-body with eight legs. Light yellow
to
medium dark brown. Has distinctive mark shaped like a fiddle on its
back. Body from 3/8 to 1/2 inch long, 1/4 inch wide, 3/4 inch from
toe-to-toe
|
Prefers dark places where it's seldom disturbed.
Outdoors, old trash piles, debris and rough ground. In-doors attics,
storerooms closets. Found in Southern Midwestern
US |
Bites producing an almost painless sting that may
not be notices at first. Shy, it bites only when annoyed or surprised.
Left along, it won't bite. Victim rarely sees the
spider. |
|
Treatment:
1.
Keep victim lying down, quite and
warm. If the victim must be moved, use a stretcher
2.
Get advanced medical aid
immediately
|
|
Description |
Habitat |
Problem |
Description |
|
Black
Widow Spider |
Color varies from dark brown to glossy black.
Densely covered with short microscope hairs. Red
or yellow hourglass marking on-the underside
of the female's abdomen.
Male does not have this and is not poisonous. Overall length with legs
extended is 1 1/2 inch. Body is 1/4 inch wide. |
Found with eggs and web. Outside: in vacant rodent
holes, under stones, logs, in long grass, hollow stumps & bush
piles.
Inside in dark corners of barns, garages, piles of stone
wood. Most bites occur in outhouses. Found in Southern Canada through US,
except Alaska. |
Bites causing local redness. Two tiny spots
may appear. Pain follows almost immediately. Larger muscles become rigid.
Body temperature rises
slightly. Profuse perspiration and tendency
toward nausea follow. It's usually difficult to breathe or talk. May
cause constipation, urine retention. |
|
Treatment:
1.
Keep victim lying down, quite and
warm. If the victim must be moved, use a stretcher
2.
Get advanced medical aid
immediately
|
|
|
Description |
Habitat |
Problem |
|
Tarantula |
Large dark, "spider" with a furry
covering. From 6 to 7 inches in toe-to-toe
diameter. |
Found in South western US and the tropics. Only
the varieties found in the tropics are
poisonous. |
Bites produce a pinprick sensation with negligible
effect. It will not bite unless teased. |
|
Treatment:
- Wash the wound with soap and water
- Apply a cold pack
- Apply antibiotic cream to prevent
infection
|
Description: Oval with small head, the body is not
divided into definite-segments. Gray or brown. Measures from 1/4:inch-to 3/4
inch when mature. They can burrow into the skin.
Prevention:
1.
Examine body and clothes after any exposure to tick infested areas, and
always remove ticks immediately
2.
Have a partner inspect your backside
3.
Before entering tick infested area, cover neck, legs, back of neck and
arms with an insecticide containing Deet
Treatment:
- Grasp the tick with forceps as
close to the skin surface as possible and pull slowly and firmly. Do not twist
or crush the
tick.
- After tick removal, swab the area
with iodine
solution,
- If you cannot remove the tick, or
if its mouthparts remain embedded, get medical care.
- If rash or flu-like symptoms
appear (see list below), get medical help immediately.
§
Chills and fever
§
sweating
§
Pains in bones, muscles and
joints
§
back and head aches
§
Coughing, vomiting and
weakness
§
Rash appears in 2 to 4
days
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(c) 2009-20010 Boy Scout Troop 10, Texas
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