BITES AND STINGS

Some people have very sensitive skin. They may have an allergic reaction to the bite or sting. In general, Bees can only sting once because they leave their stinger in your skin. However, a certain specie like the European wasps can sting many times because they don’t leave their stinger in you.

TYPES & SYMPTOMS

When a person got stung or bitten by an insect, some of these things might happen:

• The skin can be red or swollen around the bite or sting.
• It is sometimes painful.
• It could be itchy.
• An itchy rash (‘hives’).
• The person could feel sick and want to vomit.
• There could be problems breathing.
• The person might faint.
• It could become hard to swallow.

TREATMENT

It is important to see a doctor if these symptoms appear. You may be given medications such as antihistamine tablets or inject adrenaline to help you. Antihistamines and adrenalin stop the lining of your airways from swelling up and making it hard to breathe.

What to do for insect bites and stings

• Wash the area that has been attacked by that annoying creature.
• Scrape the stinger out if it’s a bee sting. (If you pull it straight out you could squeeze more poison in – you have to gently try to slide the stinger back out of your skin.)
• Use your epi-pen if you get severe reactions, or get someone else to do it for you. Make sure that someone goes to get help for you too.
• Use ice to keep the swelling down and to make it less painful.
• Ask for an antihistamine tablet if you are swollen and itchy (you might have to go to your doctor to get this).
• Rest the bitten part of your body. Raising your arm or leg (whichever has been bitten) can be helpful too.
• You can take paracetamol if it is painful.
• Don’t scratch, as you don’t want the bite to get infected.
• If the bite gets all yucky or you are feeling worse, tell mum or dad and they may take you to see a doctor.

PREVENTION

To avoid bites and stings, you can do the following:

• Keep still if a bee flies near you. Even if it lands on you it isn’t likely to sting unless you try to hit it.
• Watch where you walk. Don’t go annoying ants by stomping on their nests.
• Don’t play around bins or rubbish.
• Clean up after yourself. Bits of food and empty drink cans attract insects and other creatures.
• Don’t go near or pick up snakes, even if you think they are not poisonous. Don’t try to kill them either – they get quite annoyed when you try.
• Hairy caterpillars cannot bite, but some can leave their hairs stuck in your skin, which will irritate just as badly as a bite. Centipedes might bite if you touch them, and can give you a severe burning pain.
• Wear long sleeved and full leg clothes, socks and insect repellent when sandflies and mosquitoes may be around.
• Check before you drink in case a wasp or other insect has flown into your drink container.