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Sting and Bites

The document discusses different types of bites and stings including insect stings, jellyfish stings, and snake bites. It provides information on signs and symptoms of these incidents as well as first aid treatment recommendations such as wound cleaning, immobilization, and seeking immediate medical help for possible infections or allergic reactions.

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doctorshimaa147
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8 views

Sting and Bites

The document discusses different types of bites and stings including insect stings, jellyfish stings, and snake bites. It provides information on signs and symptoms of these incidents as well as first aid treatment recommendations such as wound cleaning, immobilization, and seeking immediate medical help for possible infections or allergic reactions.

Uploaded by

doctorshimaa147
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Pharmacology and Toxicology

Department

First Aid
(MC 526)
By

Albatoul Allam Abdel-Daiem


Lecturer of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Stings and Bites
LO`S
➢ Use the right medical terms and abbreviations in the first aid practice.
➢ Use scientific literature effectively and analyse collected data to suggest proper choice
for medical emergencies.
➢ Apply knowledge of how the body normally functions to treat a variety of emergency
cases.
➢ Recognize the symptoms of different poisoning,
➢ Explain the methods of treatment and summarize the methods of victims transportation
and rescue tasks.
➢ Interact effectively with patients, the public and health care professionals; including
communication, both written and oral.
BITES AND STINGS

•People are bitten and stung every day by insects, spiders, snakes,
animals and marine life.

• Most of the time, these bites and stings do not cause serious
problems.

•However, in rare circumstances, certain bites and stings can cause


serious illness or even death in people who are sensitive to the
venom.
Insect Stings
•Most of the time, insect stings are harmless.
Signs & Symptoms
➢ Localized pain
➢ Swelling
➢ Redness
➢ Itching
➢ Numbness
➢ Burning-
➢ Tingling sensation.
Treatment
(1) Remove any visible stinger.
Scrape it away from the skin with either:
* Clean fingernail
* Plastic card, such as a credit card
* Use tweezers.
• In the case of a bee sting:
If you use tweezers grasp the stinger, not the venom sac.
Why:
To avoid the release of more venom into the skin
(2) Wash the site with soap and water.
(3) Cover the site and keep it clean.
(4) Apply a cold pack to the area to: reduce pain and swelling.

(5) Call 123 if:


the person has any trouble breathing or for any other signals of anaphylaxis.

(6) You may apply a gentle cream to: prevent itching.


(7) Take anti-histamines if necessary (there are many bites).
Anaphylaxis:

• If the person is allergic, an insect sting can lead to: anaphylaxis


Anaphylaxis:
➢Severe allergic reactions can affect the whole body and may occur very
quickly, often within minutes
➢Life-threatening situation, requires urgent medical help.
Signs & Symptoms of Anaphylaxis
•Swelling on the face, lips and throat.
•Difficulty in breathing, swallowing.
•Hives.
•Faintness, dizziness.
•Confusion.
•Rapid heartbeat.
•Nausea, cramps and vomiting.
•Shock.
First Aid for Anaphylaxis

(1) Call 123 or arrange for transport to hospital immediately!

(2) Administer the epinephrine pen

(3) Loosen tight clothing and cover the patient with a blanket.

(4) Turn the patient on his side to prevent choking if there is vomiting.

(5) Be prepared to perform CPR or use an automated external defibrillator


(AED).
How to use an epinephrine pen:
(1) Take off the safety cap.

(2) Follow the instructions on the pen.

(3) Hold the epinephrine pen in your fist without touching either end because
the needle comes out of one end.

(4) Push the end with the needle hard against the side of the person’s thigh,
about halfway between the hip and knee.

(5) Give the injection through clothes or on bare skin.

(6) Hold the pen in place for about 10 seconds. Remove the needle by pulling
the pen straight out.

(7) Massage the injection site to enhance absorption.


Jellyfish Sting
➢Jellyfish stings are relatively common problems for people swimming,
walking or diving in seas &/or oceans.
➢The long tentacles trailing from the jellyfish body
can discharge thousands of microscopic stingers
that release venom into the skin.
➢Most jellyfish stings get better with home treatment,
but severe reactions require emergency medical care.

Bluebottle jellyfish
(Portuguese man-of-war)
Signs and symptoms

• Jellyfish stings can vary greatly in severity.

• Most often they result in immediate pain, swelling, redness and irritated
marks on the skin.

• Some jellyfish stings may cause more whole-body (systemic) illness, and in
rare cases, jellyfish stings are life-threatening. (possible allergic reaction)
Allergic reactions that can cause breathing and heart problems, as well as paralysis and death.

• The lifeguards in your area should know the types of jellyfish that may be
present.
Management
(1) Call 123 if the casualty:
➢Does not know what stung him or her.
➢ Has a history of allergic reactions to marine-life stings.
➢Stung on the face or neck.
➢Starts to have trouble breathing.
(2) Avoid touching the person with your bare hands;
➢ Bare hands could expose you to the stinging tentacles.
➢ Use gloves or a towel when removing any tentacles.
(3) Irrigate the injured part with large amounts of vinegar as soon as possible for
at least 30 seconds.

Role of vinegar: I. Help to remove the tentacles.

II. Stop the discharge of venom from stingers.

NB: Vinegar works best to offset the toxin.

If vinegar is not available : a baking soda slurry also may be used.

If the sting is from a bluebottle jellyfish (Portuguese man-of-war):

use ocean water instead of vinegar.


NB:

➢To help relieve pain, bathe the affected part in warm water,

as warm as the casualty can tolerate for about 20 minutes.

➢Do not apply cold water. ( WHY?)

Cold water helps the stingers to continue releasing venom.


Snake Bites
❑Snake bites can be deadly
Most deaths occur because the bitten person:
➢ Has an allergic reaction.

➢ Is in poor health.
➢ Spend too much time passes before he or she receives medical care.
SO,

➢Snake bite must be treated quickly.


➢Getting to hospital as quickly as possible is very important.
➢The right anti-venom can save a person’s life.
Factors that influence the possible seriousness of a snake bite include:
• The person’s health, size, age, and psychological state.
(Children are at higher risk for death or serious complications due to snake bites because of their
smaller body size)
• The nature of the bite may also vary, like penetration of one or both fangs, the amount of
venom injected, the location of the bite and proximity to major blood vessels.
• The health of the snake and the interval since it last used its venom.

• Knowing the size, color and shape of the snake can help determine the best treatment for
a particular bite.
• Mechanism of the venom is also important.

• These multiple variables make every bite unique. Depending on circumstances, the
bite of a "mildly" venomous snake may be life-threatening and that of a "strongly"
venomous snake may not.
Signs & Symptoms

• Two puncture wounds (Bite mark).

• Swelling and redness around the wounds.

• Pain at the bite site.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Vomiting and nausea.

• Blurred vision.

• Sweating and salivating.

• Numbness in the face and limbs.


Management
1. Do a scene survey and primary survey.
2. Place the casualty at rest in a semi-sitting position
Moving around will make venom spread faster through the body
3. keep the affected limb below heart level.
The venom won’t spread as quickly.
4. Take off all jewelry or watches and tight clothing to avoid problems with swelling.
5. Flush the bite if possible.
6. Wrap a large roller bandage around the entire length of the bitten extremity, just
tight enough that you can get your fingers under the bandage.
This is an effective and safe way to slow circulation of the venom.
6. Immobilize the limb. . (you may use a loose splint to help restrict movement)
7. Give ongoing casualty care.
The following is a list of DO NOTs:

➢Do not pick up the snake or try to wrap it up or kill it, as this will
increase the chance of getting another bite. Even a dead snake is able
to bite.

➢Don’t tightly wrap the bite area or apply a tourniquet.

➢Do not cut across the site of the bite marks.

➢Do not try to suck out the venom.

➢Do not use a suction device to remove venom.


The following is a list of DO NOTs (CONT,):

• Do not apply ice.

• Do not immerse the wounded area in water.

• Don’t let the victim drink alcohol or anything with caffeine. They
make the body take in the venom faster.

• Don’t use any ointments, chemicals, heat, cold, ….etc.

• Don’t give aspirin -- it can make bleeding worse.


Animal Bites
• The bite of a domestic or wild animal can cause infection and soft tissue
injury. The most serious possible result is rabies.
• Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of diseased animals such as bats,
raccoons, cats, dogs, cattle and foxes.
• Animals with rabies may act strangely. For example,
*Those that are usually active at night may be active in the daytime.
*A wild animal that usually tries to avoid people might not run from you.
*Rabid animals may drool.
* appear to be partially paralyzed.
• If not treated, rabies is fatal.

• Anyone bitten by an animal that might have rabies must get medical attention.

• Treatment for rabies includes a series of vaccine injections to build up


immunity that will help fight the disease.

• If an animal bites someone, try to get the person away from the animal
without putting yourself in danger.

• Do not try to stop, hold or catch the animal.

• Do not touch anything that may have come in contact with the animal’s saliva
without using or wearing some form of protection like disposable gloves.
Signs and symptoms
1) A bite mark
2) Bleeding.
Management
1) Perform a scene survey and a primary survey.
2) Examine the wound to see if the skin was broken.
3) If there is bleeding, allow moderate bleeding of the wound;
this helps to cleanse the wound.
1) Wash the wound then apply a dressing and bandage.
2) Get medical help
Thank you

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