Self Care

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Insect bites/ stings

 

Most bug bites and stings are harmless, some can be very dangerous. The reaction to minor bites and stings is local, confined to the area around the bite itself.

Dangerous, life-threatening reactions to insect bites and stings occur throughout the body. The reaction appears on a part of the body separate from the sting site. Generalized reactions include hives or swelling all over the body, shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of the throat that causes difficulty swallowing, nausea, stomach cramping, vomiting, loss of bowel and bladder control, weakness, dizziness or fainting, drop in blood pressure, shock, or unconsciousness.

Allergic to Bees Carry a bee sting kit at all times. A medical provider can prescribe one. These kits contain injectable adrenaline that can be lifesaving.

Carry a card or wear a bracelet that alerts others to the condition.

Ask the medical provider desensitization injections will help. This series of injections can reduce the reaction to bee, wasp, hornet or yellow jacket stings for some allergic people.

Self care steps :

Bees, mosquitoes, flies, chiggers, ticks, gnats, and other insects can all produce painful stings or bites.

Here’s what to do to for local insect stings and bites :

Remove the stinger when stung by a bee. Scrape over the stinger (which looks like a splinter) with a fingernail, knife blade, or other rigid object. Do not remove it with your fingers or tweezers, because you may inject more venom into the skin.

Apply cold quickly. Cool compresses or ice packs will help relieve the pain and prevent swelling from most bug bites. The longer you wait to apply a cold treatment, the worse the local reaction will be. Apply cold packs for no more than 20 minutes at a time to avoid frost.

Wash the site of the bite and the surrounding area thoroughly with soap and water.

Don’t scratch the itch. Apply calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream. Take Benadryl (an antihistamine) if itching or more local swelling occurs. Benadryl will help reduce late-appearing symptoms but is not an effective emergency treatment.

Prevention :

Avoid perfumes, aftershave, scented hair sprays and scented deodorants. Wear insect repellent light-colored clothing, long-sleeveed tops, long pants, socks, and shoes. Floral patterns attract bees; so do food, beverages, and garbage cans. If a bee comes near you, avoid sudden movements. Stay still or move away slowly.

Signs and Symptoms that needs immediate care :

Severe trouble breathing.

Pain that gets Worse rather than better after 3 days.

Rash all over the body.

Swelling all over the body.

Signs infection.

Nausea, vomiting, loss of bowel and bladder control.

Dizziness or fainting.

Hives or swelling all over the body.

Muscle Spasms or weakness.

Difficulty walking.

Difficulty keeping eyes open when awake.

High temperature.

Burning, redness.