Sunday, February 6, 2011

Tips for dealing with insect stings

Remove the sting with tweezers or scrape across the skin with a knife or razor blade. Do not try to squeeze or press down against the poison bag, which will expel more venom into the body. Wash the area with soap and cold water, and then cover the wound with sterile gauze and adhesive tape.

If there is swelling, apply ice or a cold compress. Keep the stung area elevated above the heart, using a sling for a hand or forearm or a pillow for a foot or leg. Some redness and swelling around the sling is normal and should begin to diminish within a few days.

Bee or wasp stings become dangerous when the victim has an allergic reaction. The symptoms of such a reaction are headache, weakness, general itching, hives, wheezing, and difficulty in breathing or loss of consciousness. If any of these develop, or if the victim has had a serious reaction in the past, call for an ambulance immediately or get the victim to a hospital. 

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