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S H E L L E Y W E S T W O O D , R N , B S N
BITES AND STINGS
ANIMAL AND HUMAN BITES
• Many are minor but if a bite breaks the skin, the
wound can bleed and may become infected from
germs in the biter’s mouth.
• If the bite doesn’t break the skin it’s usually not
serious.
• If an animal is acting strangely, stay away.
FIRST AID FOR HUMAN AND ANIMAL BITES
• Check for scene safety, get first aid kit and wear
appropriate PPE.
• For animal bites, call or send someone to call 9-1-1.
FIRST AID FOR HUMAN AND ANIMAL BITES
* Clean the wound with a lot of running water (and soap, if available)
* Stop any bleeding with
pressure and dressings.
* For all bites that break the
skin, call healthcare provider
* If bruised or swollen,
place ice and water bag
wrapped in towel on bite
for up to 20 minutes.
SNAKEBITES
• If a snake bites someone, it is helpful to be able to
identify the kid of snake.
• You can sometimes do that from its bite mark.
• If you aren’t sure if a snake is poisonous, assume
that it is.
•
FIRST AID FOR SNAKEBITES
• Make sure scene is safe.
• Ask another adult to
move any other people
inside or away from the
area and call 9-1-1.
• Ask the bitten person to
be still and calm. Tell him
to avoid moving the body
part that was bitten.
• Remove any tight
clothing and jewelry.
• Gently wash bite area
with running water (and
soap if available).
SIGNS OF A POISONOUS SNAKEBITE
• Pain in the bite area
that keeps getting worse
• Swelling of the bite area
• Nausea, vomiting, sweating
and weakness
SCENE SAFETY AND SNAKES
• When checking scene safety, be very careful around a
wounded snake
• Back away and go around the snake
• If a snake has been killed or hurt by accident, leave it
alone. A snake might bite even when severely hurt or
close to death.
• If the snake needs to be moved, use a long-handled
shovel. If you don’t need to move it, leave it alone.
INSECT AND SPIDER BITES AND STINGS
• Usually only cause mild pain, itching and swelling at
the bite.
• But some insect bites can be serious or even fatal if
• The person has a severe allergic reaction to the bite or
sting.
• Poison (venom) is injected into the person (for ex. a
black widow or brown recluse spider)
GENERAL FIRST AID FOR A PERSON WITH A BITE OR STING
• Make sure scene is safe, get first aid kit and wear
appropriate PPE.
• Call or send someone to call 9-1-1 if:
• The person has signs of a severe allergic reaction
• The person tells you that they have a severe
allergy to insect bites or stings. Get the person’s
epinephrine pen if they have one.
GENERAL FIRST AID FOR A PERSON WITH A BITE OR STING
• If a bee stung the person:
• Look for the stinger. Bees are the only insects that may
leave their stingers behind.
• Scrape away the stinger and venom sac by using
something with a dull edge, like a credit card. You want to
avoid squeezing the venom sac which would release more
venom.
GENERAL FIRST AID FOR A PERSON WITH A BITE OR STING
• Wash the bite or sting area with a lot of running water (and
soap, if possible)
• Put a bag of ice and water wrapped in a towel ober the bite
or sting area for up to 20 minutes.
• Watch the person for at least 30 minutes for signs of an allergic
reaction.
POISONOUS SPIDER AND SCORPION BITES AND STINGS
• The following are signs of poisonous spider and scorpion bites and stings. Some signs vary depending on the type of bite or sting:• Severe pain at the site of
the bite or sting
• Muscle cramps
• Headache
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Breathing problems
• Seizures
• Lack of response
Brown recluse
Black widow
Scorpion
FIRST AID FOR POISONOUS SPIDER AND SCORPION BITES AND STINGS
*Make sure scene is safe, get first aid kit and
wear appropriate PPE.
*Call 9-1-1
*Wash bite with a lot of running water (and
soap if available)
*Put a bag of ice and water wrapped in a
towel on the bite.
*See if the person needs CPR. If so, perform it.
TICKS
• Ticks are found on animals in wooded areas.
• They attach themselves to exposed body parts.
• Many ticks are harmless.
• Some carry diseases.
• If you find a tick, remove it as soon as possible.
• The longer the tick stays attached, the greater the chance of disease transmission.
FIRST AID FOR TICKS
• Make sure scene is safe, get first aid kit and wear appropriate PPE.
• Grab the tick by its mouth or head as close to the skin as possible with tweezers or a tick-removing device
• Lift the tick straight out without twisting or squeezing its body.
• If you lift the tick until the person’s skin tents and wait for several seconds, the tick may let go.
• Wash the bite with running water (and soap, if available).
• See a healthcare provider if you are in an area where tick-borne diseases occur. If possible, place the tick in a plastic bag and take it to the MD to be identified and/or tested.