Bites/Stings

Anaphylaxis

What is it?

A life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can cause shock, a sudden drop in blood pressure and trouble breathing. In people who have an allergy, anaphylaxis can occur minutes after exposure to a specific allergy-causing substance (allergen). In some cases, there may be a delayed reaction, or anaphylaxis may occur without an obvious trigger.

Symptoms:

Possible Triggers:

Plan of Action:

If you're with someone having symptoms of anaphylaxis, don't wait to see whether symptoms get better. Seek emergency treatment right away. In severe cases, untreated anaphylaxis can lead to death within half an hour.
An antihistamine pill, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), isn't enough to treat anaphylaxis. These medications can help relieve allergy symptoms, but they work too slowly in a severe reaction.

Animal Bites

What is it?

A bite or claw wound from an animal.

Plan of Action:

To care for a minor animal bite or claw wound, such as one that only breaks the skin, take these steps:
Seek prompt medical care if:

Human Bites

What is it?

A bite wound from a human.
Human bites can be as dangerous as or even more dangerous than animal bites because of the types of bacteria and viruses contained in the human mouth. Human bites that break the skin can become infected.
If someone cuts his or her knuckles on another person's teeth, as might happen in a fight, this is also considered a human bite. And a cut on the knuckles from your own teeth, such as from a fall, is considered a human bite.

Plan of Action:

To take care of a human bite that breaks the skin:
If you haven't had a tetanus shot within five years, your doctor may recommend a booster. In this case, get the booster shot within 48 hours of the injury.

Insect Bites and Stings

What is it?

A bite or sting from any insect.
Most insect bites and stings are mild and can be treated at home. They might cause itching, swelling and stinging that go away in a day or two. Some bites or stings can transmit disease-causing bacteria, viruses or parasites. Stings from bees, yellow jackets, wasps, hornets and fire ants might cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

Plan of Action:

Mild reactions:
Seek medical care if the swelling gets worse, the site shows signs of infection, or you don't feel well.

When to seek emergency care:

Call 911 or your local medical emergency number if anyone is having a serious reaction that suggests anaphylaxis, even if it's just one or two signs or symptoms:
Take these actions immediately while waiting for medical help:

Snakebites

What is it?

A bite from any snake.
Most venomous snakes in North America have eyes like slits and are known as pit vipers. Their heads are triangular and they have fangs. One exception is the coral snake, which has a rounded head and round pupils. Nonvenomous snakes typically have rounded heads, round pupils and no fangs.

Symptoms:

Sometimes, a venomous snake can bite without injecting venom. The result of these "dry bites" is irritation at the site.
If a venomous snake bites you, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately, especially if the bitten area changes color, begins to swell or is painful. Many emergency rooms stock antivenom drugs, which may help you.
If possible, take these steps while waiting for medical help:
Caution

 

Spider Bites

What is it?

A bite from any spider.
Most spider bites cause only minor injury but there are a few spider species that can be dangerous.

Plan of Action:

Seek medical care immediately if:
To take care of a spider bite:
For pain and muscle spasms, your doctor might prescribe pain medicine, muscle relaxants or both. You might also need a tetanus shot.

Dangerous Spiders:

Black Widow spiders
You can usually identify a black widow spider by the red hourglass marking on its belly. In the United States, this spider is more common in the South. It's also found in Europe.
Signs and symptoms of a black widow spider bite can include:
Brown recluse spider
The brown recluse spider has a violin-shaped marking on its back, but this mark can be hard to see. This spider is commonly found in the southern half of the United States and in South America, where it is known as the brown spider.
Signs and symptoms of a brown recluse spider bite can include:

Tick Bites

What is it?

A bite from a tick.
Most tick bites are painless and cause only minor signs and symptoms, such as a change in skin color, swelling or a sore on the skin.
But some ticks transmit bacteria that cause illnesses, including Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
In general, to transmit Lyme disease a tick needs to be attached to a person's skin for at least 36 hours. Other infections can be transferred in a few hours or even a few minutes.

Plan of Action:

When to Seek Emergency Care:

When to Contact Your Doctor:

If possible, bring the tick, or a photo of the tick, with you to your doctor's appointment.