Bites
Bites can range from itchy to painful to life
threatening. And you needn't live out in the
wilderness 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--a bite from a
fellow human being! (Doctors agree that humans
have more bacteria in their mouths than most wild
animals, no matter how often we brush our teeth.)
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-in with a creature that you
suspect is dangerous, whether or not it is discussed
here, don't attempt self-treatment. See a doctor
without delay. The same advice holds true if you
experience any signs of illness (such as fever, loss
of consciousness, nausea, dizziness, or vomiting)
following a bite.
Ice an itch.
Itchy mosquito bites may benefit from an ice-cold
compress, according to Karl Singer, M.D., F.P., I.M.
, a physician in Exeter, New Hampshire. "Ice
decreases the inflammation and stops the pain and
itching," he says. He recommends 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), it is just as
effective today, says Michael R. Stefan, M.D., a
physician specializing in internal medicine in Los
Angeles.
Give an antihistamine a try.
Over-the-counter antihistamines can also help an
itchy bite, since the itch is really a mild allergic
reaction, says Singer. Of course, antihistamines
should not be used by sensitive individuals,
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 doubt.
Recognize the signs 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, according to Lawrence H. Bernstein, M.
D., a family physician in Storrs, Connecticut.
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, he says.
Hospital physicians usually treat anaphylaxis with
steroids, adrenaline, and antihistamines.
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 complications,
has received lots of play in the media of late. But
not all ticks carry the disease, and not every Lymecarrying
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 causes Lyme disease, according to Bernstein.
"The best thing to do, if you're in a place where
there might be ticks, is to check yourself on a daily
basis," he says. If you remove a tick from your skin
(using the directions that follow), Bernstein
recommends saving it in a small jar of alcohol, so
that if a suspicious infection develops, the tick can
be analyzed for Lyme disease. There is no need to
see a doctor unless you notice any signs of swelling
or redness around the bite (a sign of infection), a
bull's-eye-shaped rash (often a symptom of Lyme
disease), a fever, or a skin rash, Bernstein says.
Remove ticks with care.
To remove a tick from your skin, grasp the insect's
mouthparts with tweezers as close as possible to
your skin and slowly pull straight upward. Do not
attempt to pull the tick's body or head, as it may
break off, leaving the mouthparts underneath your
skin, Bernstein says. Use the tweezers to remove
any remaining parts of the tick. Next, apply a local
antiseptic, such as alcohol or an antibiotic ointment,
to the bite.
Stop the bleeding.
If an animal bite has caused severe bleeding, apply
pressure to the area with the palm of your hand,
says Michael O. Fleming, M.D., F.A.A.F.P., a
family physician in Shreveport, Louisiana. If the
wound is large, tie a scarf, towel, or T-shirt tightly
around the site to create pressure over a larger area
(not tightly enough to cut off circulation).
Immobilize the area. If the bite is on a limb, elevate
the limb above the level of the heart. See a
physician pronto.
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. Not so for a bite that breaks or punctures
the skin, according to Bernstein. The latter needs
the expertise of a doctor, he says. "You need to
establish whether the animal is rabid or not," he
advises. "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. It's sick.
" He suggests 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, it's probably wise
to contact your doctor to see if you need a tetanus
booster shot (whether or not you need one depends,
in part, on the type of wound and the timing of your
last tetanus shot). "Animal bites and human bites
are easily infected," Fleming says. "All animals
have a very large number of bacteria that live in
their mouths." He also advises watching for signs
of infection, such as redness and swelling.
Report an animal to the authorities.
If you've been bitten by an animal in your
community, call your local Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) or animal
catcher (check your local phone directory for the
number) to report the incident. If the animal was
wild or a stray, the proper agency may want to
track it down and capture it for observation,
especially if rabies is suspected. If the animal
belongs to a neighbor, report it to the pet's owner,
and, if you choose, to the authorities (many
communities have laws concerning pet bites).
Don't get bitten in the first place.
Perhaps the most sensible way to treat a bite is in
advance--before you get bitten--Stefan says. Stay
away from wild animals, even if they let you
approach, and don't pester snakes, spiders, bees, or
anything else that looks threatening. "Most animals
and insects will not attack you unless you are
bothering them," he says. Even animals that do not
look threatening, such as ground squirrels, may be
trouble, Stefan adds, since they may carry fleas that
can transmit diseases. Insect and tick repellents
may also help you avoid bites when spending long
periods of time outdoors.
Know your local fauna.
It's 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 Lymecarrying
ticks, according to Richard E. Hannigan,
M.D., an internist in private practice in Helotes,
Texas. Likewise, 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 scorpions, learn how to
recognize them by sight and avoid them like the
plague, Hannigan recommends.
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