First Aid For Bites / Stings

Insect, snake and spider bites and stings are usually minor but can result in illness and disease transmission, for example, Lyme disease and Zika and West Nile Virus. Certain snake, scorpion and spider stings/bites can introduce life-threatening venom into our bodies. Usually what caused a bite or sting is unknown, so let the signs and symptoms direct you to getting proper care. It is not necessary to know what caused the bite or sting. Animal and human bites that break the skin introduce germs so first aid care is important. Rabies from bat and wild animal bites is also a consideration.
Lyme disease is spread by ticks, which are extremely tiny. Most victims aren't aware they have been bitten. Only a blood test can determine if you have Lyme disease. If the results are positive, treatment with antibiotics is required. When Lyme disease is left untreated, the victim runs the risk of being stricken with crippling arthritis, neurological and heart irregularities.

Get Medical Help For:
- Tick bite
- Rash, typically a bulls-eye pattern
- Fever
- Stiff joints
- Chronic fatigue
- Flu-like symptoms

West Nile virus and Zika virus are transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Only a blood test can determine if you are ill from the West Nile or Zika virus. There is no medicine at this time, but a human vaccine may be available in the future.

Get Medical Help For:
- Headache with neck stiffness
- High fever, rash
- Tremors, muscle weakness
- Convulsion/seizure
- Vision loss
- Numbness, paralysis

Prevention is the best medicine! Know what hazards are common in your area and how to avoid them!
- Do not elevate body part that has been bitten or stung.
- Do not stop person from taking own medication.
- Do not rub or squeeze an irritated area.
- Do not apply a tourniquet.
- Do not use suction to remove venom
- Do not try to squeeze out a stinger.
- Do not remove a tick using your hand, rubbing alcohol, a match, gasoline, or nail polish.
- Do not try to catch what bit you; time spent doing so delays treatment.
- Monitor for responsiveness.
- Help the victim administer medication for allergic reaction. Assist with Epinephrine Auto-injector, as needed
- Apply cold compresses to wound to relieve pain and swelling.
- Watch for signs of severe Allergic Reaction.
- Control Bleeding if needed.
- If the sting was inflicted by a honeybee, and the stinger is still in the skin, remove it by scraping with a plastic card, a knife, or a razor blade. Don't squeeze the stinger, or the venom sac will send a new supply of venom into the bloodstream.
- If a tick is embedded in the skin, it must be killed before it is removed in one piece. Get medical help for proper removal.
- If an animal is involved, and it's believed venomous, try to photograph it. Call Poison Help Centerat 1-800-222-1222 accessible 24/7 in the USA.
- Get medical help if needed.

For animal or human bite that breaks the skin:
- Make sure scene is safe. (Avoid animals acting strange, including humans.)
- Wearing gloves, clean wound with soap and running water.
- Then stop Bleeding by applying pressure.
- Report all animal bites to the police/animal control.
- If there's bruising or swelling, place a cold (mixture ice/water) wrapped in cloth on area for up to 20 min. or until medical help is obtained.
- Get medical help for infection prevention.
- A tetanus booster may be required.