36235605 animal bites and insect bites

8/8/2019 36235605 Animal Bites and Insect Bites

1/5

Animal Bites

Any animal bite requires medical attention. Deep bites can cause serious

wounds, severe bleeding and tissue damage, while all animal bites can cause

infection. Puncture wounds from teeth carry infection deep into the tissue, while

scratches are also an infection risk. The human bite is among the most infectious.

Checking for Infection

Warn the injured person to watch for signs of an infected wound over the coming

days. Seek immediate medical attention if any combination of the following signs

and symptoms develops:

Increased pain

Swelling

Redness around the site of the wound

Discharge from the site

Unpleasant smell from the site of the wound to the heart

Swollen glands

Treatment

The priority is to ensure the safety of yourself and bystanders. If the animal is

still a risk, do not approach it but call the local Animal Control Service

through the police department

For Serious Wounds

1. Help the injured person sit down to help reduce shock.

2. Treat any bleeding by:

Looking in the wound

Applying direct pressure

Elevating the site if it is a limb

3. Take or send the person to hospital


2/5

For smaller wounds and scratches

1. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.

2. Dry the wound with clean gauze or other non-fluffy material and cover with a

dressing.

3. Seek medical advice.

Specific infections spread by bites

Rabies

Rabies is an increasingly rare but potentially very serious, even fatal, condition

carried by animal bites. Animal that may have come into the country without going

through normal checks, or if you are bitten overseas, then seek immediate medical

attention. There is no cure for rabies but early vaccination following a bite can help

develop immunity.

Hepatitis B and C

There is a small chance that hepatitis B and C may be transmitted by a human bite.

If concerned, seek medical attention.

Tetanus

Tetanus bacteria carry a particular risk when carried deep into a wound with jagged

edges or a puncture wond. Animal bites carry potential risk of tetanus. Tetanusaffects the central nervous system and can cause muscle spasms, breathing

problems and sometimes death. It is also known as lockjaw because it may tence up

the jaw muscles. There is a vaccination for tetanus but immunity is not lifelong and

anybody suffering a potentially hazardous injury should seek medical advice on

having a booster injection.

Insects Bites and Stings

Insect bites and stings are painful and there are many insects that carry potentially

fatal venom. Dangerous biting insects include spiders like black widow, brown

recluse, and some tarantulas; stinging insects include scorpions, wasp, and bees.

Children and elderly are most at the risk but even so, stings and bites rarely kill

unless there is allergic reaction. Stings in the mouth or throat are also dangerous

because the swelling the cause can block the airway. In all cases avoidance is the

best defence.


3/5

Potentially Life-Threatening Responses to Stings and Bites

Anaphylaxis

This is an allergic reaction to a substance with which the body is in contact. Beestings are among the most common cause. Anaphylaxis can develop within seconds

and can be fatal.

Multiple stings

While one sting is unlikely to cause problems on a major scale for an otherwise

healthy adult, several stings may provoke a dangerous response.

Effects of Venom

Some venom kills the cells around the bite or sting mark, are slow to heal, and

leave deep scars. In rare cases, they can be fatal. Other venoms affect the nervous

system and require an anti venom medicine or they may be fatal.

Stings to mouth and throat

Any sting to the mouth or throat should be treated with care because subsequent

swelling may cause difficulty with breathing.

Signs and Symptoms of a Life-threatening Reaction

Difficulty of breathing

Swollen lips, tongue, and throat

Blotchy skin

Victim has felt a bite or sting(sometimes this may be described as a scratch)

Pain, Swelling, and reddening over the site of the bite or sting

Treatment

1. Monitor and maintain airway and breathing. Be prepared to resuscitate if

necessary.


4/5

2. If the victim is a known sufferer of anaphylaxis, he may have auto-

injection that contains life-saving medicine. Help him to find this as

quickly as possible and if necessary, help to administer it.

3. If the victim is conscious, help into the most comfortable position (this will

usually be sitting up)

4. If the sting was in the mouth, give the victim an ice cube to suck or

frequent sips of cold water.

5. Call physician and explain what has happened, identifying the insect if

possible.

6. Make an attempt to identify what the victim has been bitten or stang by

but do not put yourself at risk.

Ordinary Bites and Stings

Treatment

1. If you can see the sting, remove it by flicking with the edge of a piece of

plastic such as a credit card, or with tweezers. Take care not to squeeze

the poison sac at the end of the sting.

2. Wash the affected area to reduce the risk of infection entering the wound.

3. Apply a cold compress to the site to reduce pain and swelling.

4. Remove rings, watches or anything likely to cause a constriction if the

area swells.

5. Advise the victim to see a doctor if pain persist or there are any signs of

infection.

Signs and Symptoms

Reddening, pain, and swelling over the site of the sting

Person has felt a bite or sting

Sting left in the skin (if from a bee)

Specific types of Bites and Stings


5/5

Ticks

Ticks are tiny bloodsucking creatures found in long grass that attach

themselves to animals and humans firmly by embedding their mouthparts into the

skin. Ticks cause discomfort and can cause disease. Although simple to treat care

should be taken because parts could remain in the skin incorrectly. Use glovedfingers and grasps the head end, as close to the skin. Using even

pressure, pull the tick, avoiding twisting and squeezing the body. Once it

has been removed, cover the bitten area.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are small airbourne insects. They feed on animals, including

humans, by injecting a minute amount of anesthetic and a chemical that stops

blood from their host until they are full. Unfortunately this can leave a small

inflamed area that is uncomfortable but no life-threatening. This can be

easily treated by a cold compress.

Jellyfish

There are few species of jellyfish that are poisonous. Generally those that are

poisonous have long tentacles that sway freely beneath their bodies and contain

stingers that inject chemicals into anyone that should come too close. Although not

normally fatal, they can cause extreme pain that leads to panic, especially in

children, which can lead to further danger in the water. A sting can cause

anaphylactic shock in some people. These stings can be treated by calming

the victim and the applying alcohol or vinegar to the affected area for a

minimum of 3 minutes or until the pain subsides. Should the victim suffer

a severe allergic reaction, emergency medical aid should be sought.

Toadfish

There are many marine creatures that can cause pain and infection if you

step on them. Toadfish are small fish that bury themselves in the sand, usually in

shallows where thy hunt. They have sharp spines on their dorsal fin that can inject

poison into anyone who steps on them. Although the pain is extreme, it can

be quickly relieved by placing th affected area in bowl of water as hot as

the sufferer can stand for 20 minutes or until the pain subsides. Make

sure you test the hot water with your elbow first because otherwise you

may scald the skin. If the victim suffers a severe reaction, emergency

medical aid should be sought.

36235605 animal bites and insect bites

Documents