Bites

Bites can range from itchy to painful to life threatening. And you needn’t live out in the widerness to run the risk of getting one. In fact, one of the most dangerous kinds of bites can be inflicted in your very own home. Many bites can be treated at home, although others, like a human bite, require an immediate visit to the doctor or emergency room. The trick is distinguishing the dangerous from the benign.
The following is a guide to treating the most common types of bites, as well as a few tips on how to avoid getting bitten in the first place. Of course, if you have had a run with a creature that you suspect is dangerous, whether or not it is discussed here, don’t attempt self-treatment.

ICE AN ITCH.
Itchy mosquito bites may benefit from ice-cold compress. Ice decrease the inflammation and stops the pain and itching. icing the bite for 20 minutes at a time every few hours. The same goes for nonpoisonous spider bites, which can also leave an itchy welt.

TRY AN OLD FAIL-SAFE
When you had a mosquito bite as a child, your mother probably used calamine lotion- a thin, chalky, pink liquid-to stop the itch. Sold over the counter ( and quite economical, too, compared with alternatives such as hydrocortisone).

GIVE AN ANTIHISTAMINE A TRY.
Over the counter antihistamines can also help an itchy bite, since the itch is really a mild allergic reaction. Antihistamines should not be used by sensitive individual, pregnant women, people with allergies to ingredients in the products, or those who are taking conflicting medications. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are in doubts.

RECOGNIZE THE SIGN OF A SEVERE REACTION.
The bite from a venomous spider can cause a severe allergic reaction. It is important, therefore, to recognize the signs of an allergic reaction before it is too late. Symptoms of anaphylaxis, or severe allergic reaction, include difficulty breathing, hives all over the body, and loss of consciousness. Anyone experiencing these warning signals should be rushed to the nearest emergency room.

DON’T PANIC IF YOU’VE BEEN BITTEN BY A TICK.
Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that can cause chills, fever, headache, and other complication, has received lots of play in the media of late. But not all ticks carrying tick will transmit it to you if you happen to be bitten. Generally, a tick must remain on the skin for 24 to 48 hours in order to transmit the organism that cause Lyme disease.

REMOVE TICKS WITH CARE.
To remove a tick from your skin, graps the insects mouthparts with tweezers as close as possible to your skin and slowly pull straight upward. Do not attempt to pull the ticks body or head, as it may break off, leaving the mouthparts underneath your skin.

STOP THE BLEEDING.
If an animal bite has caused severe bleeding, apply pressure ti the area with the palm of your hands. If the wound is large, tie a scarf, towel, or T-shirt tightly around the site to create pressure over a larger area.

DON’T TREAT A PUNCTURE LIKE A SCRATCH.
A bite that leaves a scratch but doesn’t really break the skin may simply be washed with soap and water, then covered with an antibacterial cream or ointment. Observe the animal carefully. With wild animals, if the animal is particularly placid- for example, if you can walk up to a squirrel and feed it-there’s something wrong with that animal its sick. Calling a doctor or veterinarian to find out if there have been any reported outbreaks of rabies in wild or domestic animals in your area.

GET A TETANUS BOOSTER.
If you’ve been bitten by a wild or domestic animal and the bite has broken the skin, its probably wise to contact your doctor to see if you need a tetatus booster shot ( whether or not you need one depends, in part, on the type of wound and the timing of your last tetanus shot.)

DON’T GET BITTEN IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Perharps the most sensible way to treat a bite is in advance – before you get bitten, stay away from wild animals, even if they let you approach, and don’t pester snakes, spiders, bees, or anything else that looks threatening.

KNOW YOUR LOCAL FAUNA.
Its best to keep abreast of the insects and animals in your area, so that you know what to watch out for. For example, you may live in an area where there has been an outbreak of rabies among domestic animals or a large number of lyme-carying ticks. You should know if rattlesnakes, poisonous spiders, or scorpions are likely to take up residence around your neighborhood. If you live in an area, such as the southwest, that is home to poisonous snakes and scorpion, learn how to recognize them by sight and avoid them like the plague.