BITES AND STINGS
In the tropics there are an abundance of creepy crawlies that are just waiting to sink their teeth (or stingers) into you! Most insect bites and stings are not poisonous but the bites of some insects such as wasps, bees and some spiders can be harmful.
WHAT ARE BITES AND STINGS?
- Stings are used by some insects such as bees and wasps to protect themselves. They inject a painful poison into a person’s skin through their stinger. When bees sting they leave the stinger with the poison pouch attached in the skin of the person who has been stung, so more poison can keep going into the skin until it is all gone or the stinger is removed.
- Some insects feed on blood from animals or people. Bites from these insects are usually not poisonous, e.g. mosquitoes, fleas, lice, bed bugs.
- Some biting insects can spread some diseases such as dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and malaria.
ALERT!
When the reaction to any bite or sting causes a general reaction to other parts of the body, such as redness, swelling, hives, swallowing problems, breathing problems or fainting, you need urgent medical help. This reaction will usually happen within an hour or two of the bite or sting. Take the patient to the nearest emergency medical centre. This severe allergic reaction to a sting, such as a bee or wasp sting, is called anaphylaxis. It is not common but it can be fatal.
SYMPTOMS OF BITES AND STINGS
- Poisonous stings and bites cause pain where the bite is. There is a red and swollen area around the bite. They can also cause allergic symptoms or symptoms caused by the venom (poison) such as itchy rash, and breathing and blood pressure problems in some sensitive people.
- Non poisonous bites usually cause pain and swelling around the bite at first, followed later by itching. They do not usually cause reactions away from the area of the bite unless the bite becomes infected by scratching.
- Severe allergic reactions can be caused by insects (bee & wasps). Common symptoms include hives, itching, stomach cramps, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing and swallowing, and fainting. The most dangerous symptoms are breathing difficulties or drop in blood pressure (shock). Either of these can be fatal. Anaphylaxis is rare, but is preventable and treatable.
TREATMENT OF BITES AND STINGS
- Wash the bite.
- A cold pack or ice pack can help with pain and swelling from bites.
- Rest and raise an arm or leg that has been stung to help stop swelling.
- Anti-histamines such as phenergan cream for local reactions (redness, itchy, swelling) or diphenhydramine syrup or tablets (Benadryl) may help with general reactions such has hives.
- Paracetamol may be given for pain.
- See a doctor for local reactions if the pain is very strong and/or does not settle down within a few hours, or if there are any reactions away from where the bite is.
- If there is pus or the local reaction gets worse after 24 hours see your doctor.
BEE STING
- Remove the stinger. Do not pull it out as this causes more venom to be injected. Use a blunt knife (or similar object) to scrape the stinger out.
- For most people there will be pain and some swelling where the sting occurred. Ice or a cold pack usually eases the pain and the pain lasts a few hours or less.
SPIDER BITES
White tailed spiders
- White tailed spiders are common. Bites are fairly frequent because spiders are found in homes, especially in clothing or shoes left on the floor.
- There may be stinging, then an itchy lump. Use an ice pack for the pain and see a doctor if symptoms persist.
House spiders
- Brown and black house spiders will bite occasionally. Their bites usually cause local pain and swelling, which is relieved by an ice pack. Occasionally there can be skin problems around the bite which take some time to heal.
- Ice packs, antihistamines and paracetamol for pain may help.
Huntsman spiders
- These spiders come into houses but they are usually timid. Bites cause pain around the bite and occasionally headache and vomiting.
BED BUGS /CANE MITES
- Bedbugs or cane mites do not usually spread illnesses, but are annoying because of the severe itching caused by their bites.
- Bites may need treatment for the itching (e.g. local anesthetic and antihistamine creams).
JELLYFISH
- Jellyfish can give painful stings, usually causing a rash.
- If someone is stung by a jelly fish - remove from the water, douse the sting area in vinegar, and apply a cold pack. Occasionally jelly fish stings can cause general symptoms such as nausea, headache, and dizziness (Irakanje syndrome). Should this occur take the person to medical help as soon as possible.
TICKS
- Most tick bites do not cause any health problems, but some can cause life threatening diseases including paralysis, tick typhus, and severe allergic reactions, due to a toxin (poison) which is released into a person’s body when the tick bites.
- The tick should be removed as close to the skin’s surface as possible with the aid of fine forceps (tweezers). Do not squeeze the body of the tick, as this may cause the tick to inject more toxins. A small amount of petroleum jelly or DEET can be applied to the tick before removal to kill it before trying to remove it. (Kerosene, Turps or Methylated Spirits may also be used).
CATERPILLARS
- Hairy caterpillars, including “spitfires” can cause severe itch if the hairs get into the skin and then break off.
- Wash clean and apply a cold pack to reduce the itch.
SCORPIONS
- Scorpions will sting if disturbed. Stings are hardly ever serious in this part of the world but they can cause severe pain, swelling and redness.
- Use an ice pack or a cold pack for the pain and raise the arm or leg where the bite is to help prevent swelling.
RED ANTS
- Ant bites can hurt for some hours and be red and swollen.
- Sometimes ant bites can cause allergic reactions (any reaction that is away from where the bite is) and need immediate medical attention.
SNAKES
This topic has been dealt with extensively in a previous article which can be found on the Bali Advertiser website.
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Kim Patra is a qualified Registered Nurse and Midwife that has been living and working in Bali for almost twenty years. She now runs her own private practice and medical referral service from her Kuta office. Kim is happy to discuss any health concerns with you and she may be contacted via e-mail at info@chcbali.com”.
