Symptoms and First Aid for Bites and Stings

Scorpions:

Symptoms:

--Immediate pain or burning sensation

--Often no sting site is seen and very little if any swelling

--Sting site is usually very tender or sensitive to heat/cold/touch

--Numbness/tingling sensation follows and is often described as “a shot of novocaine from the dentist”

--Bark Scorpion stings: Numbness/tingling sensation in face (or other extremitites), blurring vision, muscle twitching, “thick tongue” sensation, children may have roving eye movements and exhibit hyperactivity

--Difficulty in breathing is possible

First Aid:

--Wash area with soap and water

--Apply a cool compress on area

--Elevate area on pillow

--Call your nearest Poison Control Center. They will monitor your condition and advise you to seek medical care if necessary.

--Try to capture the scorpion for identification, if possible. Be very careful.

--If Bark Scorpion symptoms develop, go to a health care facility for treatment

--Make sure tetanus booster is up-to-date

Bees, Wasps, Ants, and Velvet Ants

Symptoms:

--Redness, swelling, itching, and pain at the site

--Allergic reaction: Anaphylactic reaction including facial swelling, rash, hives, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting

First Aid:

--Wash area with soap and water

--Apply a cool compress on area

--Elevate area on pillow

--Make a paste of baking soda and water for itching

--Call your nearest Poison Control Center. They will monitor your condition and advice you to see medical help, if necessary.

--Make sure tetanus booster is up to date

Black Widow Spiders

Symptoms:

--Sharp stabbing pain

--Muscle pain in the abdomen, back, and limbs begins within two hours and may become severe. Pain may spread to other parts of the body and increase in severity for up to 24 hours.

--Hypertension, nausea, sweating

First Aid:

--Wash area with soap and water.

--Apply cool compress to site.

--Elevate area on pillow.

--Call nearest Poison Control Center. They will monitor your condition and advise if medical attention is needed.

--Make sure tetanus booster is up-to-date

Brown (Recluse) Spider (Violin Spider

Symptoms:

--Small red spot at site of bite within 2 to 10 hours

--Flu-like symptoms may develop 12-24 hours after bite

--Site may develop into a bulls eye lesion with a blister in the center

--Rash is possible

First Aid:

--Wash area with soap and water

--Apply a cool compress on site

--Elevate area on a pillow

--Call nearest Poison Control Center. They will monitor and advise if medical care is needed.

--Make sure tetanus booster is up to date