Lifestyle

First Aid 101: How to Treat Bites and Stings

Would you know how to treat a Scorpion sting should you encounter such an event? Today I will be giving you First Aid 101: how to treat bites and stings. It will be just basic information to help perverse the life of a person while waiting for the qualified person attend to the injured person.

On our First Aid 101 I will be addressing the following: scorpion stings, spider bites, snake bites and bee stings. We will cover the basic signs, symptoms and treatment for each.

Bee Stings

This is the most dangerous and result in more deaths, because people who are stung are allergic to bee stings. You are advised to squeeze the poison sac left after you are stung as this will force the poison into your body.

Symptoms and Treatment

If you are stung by a bee you may have difficulty in talking and breathing due to the swelling in the throat. Rash and itchiness may occur.

Take the person to the hospital immediately, while monitoring their vital signs. Only do Rescue breathing if necessary.

Scorpion Stings

These stings they are believed to cause the most intense pain and Scorpions only sting when they are disturbed.

Symptoms and Treatment

Symptoms may include excessive sweating and rapid pulse. The stings pain may last up to 30 minutes. The person can get convulsions and it is rare that the victim may experience breathing problems.

To treat a Scorpion, sting you need to freeze the area of the bite for 1-2 hours but this must be done within 15 minutes of the sting. Keep the patient clam always, monitor their vital signs and remember to transport to the hospital as a matter of urgency.

Snake Bites

 Snake bites are classified into three categories and this is in effect they have on the body after being bitten and they are:

Causing local tissue damage: for example, Adder causes tissue damage at the site of the bite.

Effecting blood clotting: Boomslang (more dangerous because there is still no antidote)

Affecting the nervous system: for examples Mambas, Cobras and Ringhals. Causes muscle weakness and difficulty in swallowing.

Treatment

Try to keep the patient clam because increased heart rate increases the absorption rate of the venom. Wipe the venom from the wound.

Wrap the bitten limb with a broader bandage from the starting point to the position as possible. Transport the patient to the hospital as soon as possible while keeping the patient stable.

Spider Bites

I have a huge spider phobia I cannot stand them. In South Africa, the most common spider bites are Button Spiders. The black widow spider’s venom is far more dangerous.

Symptoms and Treatment

The symptoms include difficulty in breathing, sweating and nausea. Chest pain like that of a heart attack and death in children.

When treating the patient call for help as quickly as possible, monitor vital signs and keep the patient calm and perform CPR if needed.

That is all we have today on our First Aid 101: How to treat bites and stings.

 

 

A South African bloggers that enjoys sharing her experiences whether about a product or good/bad customer service. I started Ferocious Haven at the end of 2014 , now Life and Mo. I write about beauty products, product reviews , parenting journey and challenges and life and achieving personal finance.

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