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bites & stings
Bites & stings
bites & stings
Four Types of Poisonous Snakes in the US
Copperhead
Cottonmouth
Coral snake
Rattlesnake
bites & stings
Snakebites
Symptoms
puncture wounds
swelling
pain
weakness
metallic taste (some types)
bites & stings
Treatment
ABC’s - oxygen prn
calm patient
immobilize extremity - splint
treat shock prn
draw circle around bite & note time
transport
if possible safely ID snake
bites & stings
Notes
NO ICE
NO INCISIONS (no cut & suck)
No Constricting Band
California regulations include the use of a constricting band proximal to bite.
bites & stings
Spider Bite
black widow
– muscle cramps
– abdominal rigidity
– chest tightness & dyspnea
– very common spider
bites & stings
Spider Bite
brown recluse
– minimal pain
– local tissue reaction
– very rare spider
bites & stings
Brown Recluse bite
Day 1 Day 2
bites & stings
Treatment
ABC’s
reassure patient
immobilize affected extremities
treat shock prn
transport
no ice
if possible safely ID spider
bites & stings
Scorpion sting
muscle cramps
excessive salivation
seizures
shock
cardiac arrest
Bark Scorpion
bites & stings
Treatment
ABC’s - high flow oxygen
reassure patient
treat shock prn
transport
no ice!
if possible safely ID scorpion
bites & stings
Tick Bites
Ticks attach themselves to the skin
not painful
commonly carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever or Lyme disease.
bites & stings
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
develops 7 to 10 days after bite.
Symptoms – Nausea, vomiting – Headache – Weakness – Paralysis – Possible cardiorespiratory collapse
bites & stings
Lyme Disease
The second fastest growing infectious disease next to AIDS in US
symptoms may begin 3 days after the bite.
Symptoms include:
– Rash
– Painful swelling of the joints
bites & stings
Treatment
No hurry in removing tick
Use tweezers and pull tick straight out
Take tick with you for ID
Treat S/S prn
Position of comfort
Transport
bites & stings
Marine animals
Coelenterates- Jellyfish, sea anemone, some corals
Nematocysts – stinging cells
local reaction at site – painful, red lesions
Rarely - shock (from anaphylaxis)
bites & stings
Treatment
ABC’s - oxygen prn
treat for shock prn
limit movement
scrape off any remaining tentacles
inactivate with alcohol, meat tenderizer, or talcum powder
no ice
bites & stings
notes
Sting Ray sting
treat by soaking in warm water.
Do not attempt to remove barb.
bites & stings
Bee sting
local swelling
pain
edema
bites & stings
Treatment
ABC’s
scrape out stinger
Monitor and treat for shock prn
Ice is ok
transport
bites & stings
Removing Stingers
bites & stings
“Killer Bees”
Africanized Honey Bees (AHB)
looks identical
very aggressive
chase up to 1/4 mile
contact police or fire department
bites & stings
Review of Allergic Reactions
Allergic reaction
– Exaggerated immune response to any substance
Histamines and leukotrienes
– Chemicals released by the immune system
bites & stings
Five General Allergen Categories
Insect bites and stings
Medications
Plants
Food
Chemicals
Animals
bites & stings
Anaphylaxis
Severe allergic reaction
Dyspnea, wheezing, stridor
Urticaria (hives)
flushed skin
shock
respiratory arrest
bites & stings
Urticaria
bites & stings
Anaphylactic Reactions to Stings
5% of all people are allergic to bee, hornet, yellow jacket, and wasp stings.
~ 200 deaths a year.
Most deaths occur within first half hour
bites & stings
Treatment
ABC’s
high flow oxygen
administer epi-pen if indicated
treat for shock prn
reassure
rapid transport
bites & stings
Dog Bites
Potentially infected wounds
May require antibiotics, tetanus, suturing
Apply dry sterile dressing and transport promptly
Rabies = major concern
*Remember scene safety is top priority!
bites & stings
Dog Bites and Rabies (2 of 2)
Rabies- an acute viral infection to the central nervous system
Can only be treated with a series of vaccine injections.
A bitten patient can avoid shots only if the dog can be identified and tested for rabies.
bites & stings
Care for Human Bites
human bites that penetrate the skin can be serious injuries.
immobilize the area
Apply a dry, sterile dressing
Transport
bites & stings
stop
questions?