HOME SAFETY By SW Ambulance's William P. Spurbeck, Certified Emergency Paramedic

Sharing the Great Outdoors This Spring

With spring now here, all of us want to enjoy the great outdoors and the swimming pool. Springtime is also a time that bees, wasps, scorpions, spiders and snakes like to enjoy, thus causing a potential unwanted “meeting” between them and us.

Signs and symptoms of an insect bite result from the injection of venom or other substances into your skin. The venom triggers an allergic reaction. The severity of your reaction depends on your sensitivity to the insect venom or substance.

Most reactions to insect bites are mild, causing little more than an annoying itching or stinging sensation and mild swelling that disappear within a day or so. A delayed reaction may cause fever, hives, painful joints and swollen glands. You might experience both the immediate and the delayed reactions from the same insect bite or sting. Only a small percentage of people develop severe reactions (anaphylaxis) to insect venom. Signs and symptoms of a severe reaction include facial swelling, difficulty breathing and shock.

Bites from bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, spiders, and ants are typically the most troublesome. Bites from mosquitoes, and ticks also can cause reactions, but these are generally milder.

For mild reactions:

l Move to a safe area to avoid more stings.
l Scrape or brush off the stinger with a straight-edged object, such as a credit card or the back of a knife. Wash the affected area with soap and water. Don't try to pull out the stinger; doing so may release more venom.
l To reduce pain and swelling, apply a cold pack or cloth filled with ice.
l Apply 0.5 percent or 1 percent hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion or a baking soda paste — with a ratio of 3 teaspoons baking soda to 1 teaspoon water — to the bite or sting several times a day until your symptoms subside.

Severe reactions may progress rapidly. Dial 911 and call for emergency medical assistance if the following signs or symptoms occur:

l Difficulty breathing
l Dizziness
l Confusion
l Rapid heartbeat
l Hives
l Swelling of lips or throat
l Nausea, cramps & vomiting

Enjoy the outdoors, and remember that we have to share the outdoors with our “friends” and that they are not always happy to see us!!

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