99TravelSafe.com
67 – First Aid for an Insect Bite or Sting!
The Website For The Smart and Savvy Traveler
AVOID scratching the area!
Take a cool bath or shower to soothe itching!
Wear loose cotton clothing.
Apply an ice pack to relieve itching!
Loosen tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket.
If one is stung, examine the sting site closely, looking for the stinger that may still be in the skin.
If a stinger is visible and accessible, attempt to remove it by carefully scraping it and the attached poison sac from the skin. Don’t use tweezers, fingers or anything that might squeeze more poison into the body (a credit card or other straight edge can be used for this).
To reduce the irritation at the site of the sting, apply rubbing alcohol or a paste of baking soda and water. Ice can also be used. Never use alcohol near the eyes!
If the sting is in the mouth, give the person a mouthwash of one teaspoonful of baking soda in a glass of water, or a piece of ice to suck on. Closely monitor the casualty for swelling or difficulty in breathing. If symptoms occur, get medical help immediately!
Signs of an allergic reaction to insect bite or sting;
-- General itching - a rash may develop around the bite, spreading over the body.
-- A bump on the skin - may be white, pink, reddish or blotchy.
-- Generalized swelling - especially of the airways.
-- Weakness and headache.
-- Fever.
-- Breathing difficulties, if they become severe get medical help immediately!
-- Anxiety!
-- Abdominal cramps and vomiting!
How you react in an emergency could be the difference between life and death, get immediate medical help for severe allergic reactions!
Remember, BITES are usually caused by non-venomous insects like mosquitoes, fleas, and bedbugs, bites are typically itchy and cause minor swelling (although bites from venomous spiders may be quite serious) while STINGS on the other hand are usually caused by venomous insects like bees, wasps, and hornets, stings are typically more painful than bites!