Summer First Aid—Bites, Stings & Other Nasty Things

The Creepers, Crawlers and Flyers Bite/Sting Symptoms: Sharp, pinprick

sensation; moderate burning pain; one or more bumps.

Sometimes the creatures leave stingers and sometimes not.

The FlyersMosquitoes, Honeybees, Hornets, Yellow

Jackets, Bumblebees, Black Flies, Wasps, Gnats, Midgets or No-see-ums.

For mosquito bites—apply paste: 1 tsp baking soda + 1 tsp water—reduces swelling and soothe itching.

The Flyers Honeybee

NEVER use a tweezers

Scrape

Cold compresses

The FlyersIf you receive multiple stings, this could lead to

anaphylactic shock or a toxic reaction including:

Vomiting, diarrhea, fever muscle spasm and loss of consciousness.

Prepare to treat anaphylactic shock with an Epi-pen if available or call 911.

The CreepersTicks: American Dog Tick, Lone Star Tick, Rocky

Mountain Wood Tick. Symptoms: Flat red spots that blanch if pressed. They turn to

blood spots within 2 to 4 days. Some can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever—

spots appear on wrists and ankles, then palms of hands and soles of feet before spreading farther.

Or Lyme Disease—Fever, severe headaches and general body pain appears within 3 days to 3 weeks

after bite

The CreepersFleas: 20 species—feed on blood of humans—carried

indoors by pets. Symptoms: Cause excruciatingly itchy, tiny, pink bumps

clustered in groups. Treatment—ice or cool, damp compresses to soothe

the itching; cover bites with paste made with meat tenderizer and a little water.

May use OTC oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl,apply an OTC hydrocortisone cream.

The CreepersChiggers: Inject an enzyme that dissolves skin

cells which they then suck up. Symptoms: Uncontrollable itching where clothing

frequently meets the skin; swelling, redness, blisters and scabs.

Treatment: Wash with soap and water, dab on antiseptic to prevent infection, apply cold compress to soothe itching and take an OTC

oral antihistamine.

The CrawlersBrown Recluse Spider Leaves symptoms of intensely painful,

pimple-like bump surrounded by bumpy rash. Skin may turn bluish gray as rash fades. Feels like a bruise with one or two small

puncture marks in the center. Skin becomes red and swollen.

The CrawlersBlack Widow Spider Leaves a sharp stabbing pain followed by a

dull ache. Pain becomes extremely intense. Whole body discomfort may begin within 30

minutes. Look for a faint red halo surrounding

a tiny puncture wound.

The CrawlersWith both spider bites their venom is activated by heat.

Treatment: Reduce swelling and apply cold compresses for 20-

30 minutes. Elevate the affected area. Take aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve pain or swelling. See physician—the venom can cause extensive

tissue damage, kidney failure and coma in children. With the black widow spider, you may be given an

antivenin to counteract the poison as well as a tetanus shot.

The CrawlersFire Ants Small, yellow, red or black ants living in anthills. Extremely aggressive and often attack in numbers.Symptoms: sharp, stinging pain; swelling and redness

often arranged in a circle. Blisters form within 10-20 hours and clear up in

about 10 days—may leave scars. With multiple stings, some people develop fever and

malaise and may need immediate medical care.

Treatment: cool compresses, paste of baking soda mixed with water applied to area, aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve pain and swelling.

Signs of Infection Area around wound swollen and red. Area feels warm or throb with pain. Discharge/pus Fever Red streak that progresses from wound in the

direction of the heart.

Shock/Internal Bleeding Signals Swollen, tender, bruised or hard areas of body

such as abdomen. Rapid weak pulse. Skin feels cool or moist and looks pale or

bluish. Excessive thirst. Victim becomes confused, faint, drowsy or

unconscious.

Care for Shock Have victim lie down. Control any external bleeding. Help maintain normal body temperature. Elevate legs about 12 inches unless you

suspect head, neck, or back injuries, possible broken bones to hips or legs.

Do not give them water Call 911

Knocked Out Teeth Most can be replanted if you act quickly and

tooth is cared for properly. Pick up tooth by chewing edge; not the root—

do not rub or handle the root. If you can put tooth back into its socket, do

so. If not, preserve the tooth by placing it in a closed container of cool, fresh milk if available or water and take to dentist.

Burns Stop the burning by cooling it in running water for

several minutes Apply a loose, dry, clean dressing to prevent infection. Do NOT put ointments on serious burns! They seal in

heat and do little to relieve pain. Do NOT break blisters! They help prevent infection. Take to physician if serious. If minor burn that doesn’t need medical care—wash

with soap and water, keep it clean, may apply antibiotic ointment, watch for signs of infection.

Radiation Burn Sunburn can cause painful burns that may blister. Reduce your exposure. Avoid sun exposure between 10am—2pm. Wear protective clothing. Protect your skin with sunscreens with a SPF

minimum of 15—apply 15-30 minutes before exposure and reapply every 60-90 minutes.

Apply sunscreen that protects both UVB & UVA rays. Sunglasses should have UV absorption of at

least 90%

Heat Illness Heat cramps—may have painful muscular spasms in

legs or abdomen. Heat exhaustion—may feel cool, moist, pale or flush,

nausea/vomiting. Heat stroke—may have red, hot dry skin.Treatment: Get victim to cool place.Loosen tight clothing and remove perspiration—soaked

clothing.Apply cool, wet cloths to skin, fan patient, if conscious give cool water or sports drink—

massage and lightly stretch muscle that has spasm.

Diabetic Emergency Give victim some form of sugar if they are

conscious. Call 911 if they don’t respond quickly or if

they become unconscious.

Poison Ivy, Sumac, and Oak

Poison Ivy, Oak and SumacUsually exposure to these poisonous plants can be treated at home

with self-care. Tips Wash suspected areas Cool compresses. OTC lotion A soak in lukewarm water mixed with an oatmeal bath product

Animal BitesMinor wound Wash wound Control bleeding Apply antibiotic ointment; cover Get medical attention if wound bleeds

severely or if you suspect animal has rabies; call 911 and animal control personnel.

Snake Bite Wash wound Immobilize injured area, keep area lower than the

heart Call 911 Carry victim if possible or if they must walk, have

them walk slowly. Do NOT apply tourniquet