5 First Aid Tips For Bites And Stings

Just in case you find yourself on the receiving end of a bite or sting this summer, you can learn five first aid tips for bites and stings that will keep your discomfort to a minimum. For most people, bug bites or stings are generally an annoyance that passes with time, but for some it can quickly evolve into a life-threatening emergency. Everyone is slightly different and reactions to bites and stings cover the gamut from a nearly imperceptible mark all the way to dramatic swelling with discoloration. Some will react mildly to mosquito bites but have strong reactions to bee or wasp stings. No matter which category you fall into, there are some basic first aid steps which you can take to alleviate your symptoms.

To treat insect bites or stings you will need:

• Credit card or other object with a stiff edge
• Access to soap and water or a mild antiseptic
• Cortisone or other anti-itch cream
• Ice
• Over the counter antihistamines

1. If you have been stung by a bee, wasp, or other insect which leaves a stinger behind, you need to remove the stinger. A stinger will continue to inject venom for up to twenty minutes if left embedded in the skin. Use the edge of a credit card to scrape across the stinger to remove it from the skin. Never use tweezers to remove a stinger, when you squeeze a stinger, it will inject all of the venom into the skin at once. Always scrape the stinger from the skin, never squeeze.
2. Wash the area of the sting or bite thoroughly with soap and water. Clean the area of the bite or sting gently and thoroughly with mild soap and water or a mild antiseptic. Pat the area dry gently with a soft cloth or paper towel.
   
3. Apply ice or a cold pack to the effected area. Applying ice or a cold pack will reduce swelling and tissue damage. Wrap the ice pack in a thin cloth or paper towels. This will help to relieve pain and slows the absorption of the toxin.
4. If you encounter a lot of itching or the area is swelling, take an over-the-counter antihistamine. This will reduce the severity of your body's reaction and aid with itching and swelling.
   
5. After you have washed the area, apply an over-the-counter cortisone or other anti-itch cream. This will help to control itching as well as swelling at the site of the reaction.

Most bites or stings will respond favorably to these give first aid tips for bites or stings. In the event you seem to be having a more serious reaction, it is best to seek evaluation by a medical professional.

Resources:

National Institutes of Health