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?