Almost everyone has been stung or bitten by an insect at one time or another, causing some discomfort. The itching and pain experienced is the result of the insect injecting an irritating substance into our skin. In most cases, this reaction is bothersome but not dangerous. However, a severe reaction can be fatal and may occur in minutes.
To eliminate the risk of this situation from occurring, here are some tips:
– Wear protective clothing when working in an enclosed area. Protective clothing includes long sleeves tucked into gloves, long pants tucked into boots, and a jacket with a hood.
– Wear gloves when working outdoors. Many bites occur when a person uses bare fingers to turn over wood, stacks of construction materials, roof gutters, etc.
– Exercise caution when moving boxes or other objects that have been stored in warehouses, sheds, or temporary structures.
– Avoid wearing cosmetics, perfumes or hair sprays. These attract bees and insects.
– Do not provoke insects. Avoid rapid, jerky movements around insect hives or nests.
– Keep a quick kill and insect repellent spray in your work vehicle or on the job site.
– If you know that you have a serious allergy to an insect, carry an emergency epinephrine kit, also known as an Epi-pen. Consult with your health care provider to prescribe one.
In the event you are bitten or stung, keep in mind the following:
1. Check the sting site for the venom sac (bee stings only) and stinger
2. If these are embedded in the skin, remove them by swiftly scraping over the areas with a fingernail or sharp object.
3. Do not pick or force the stinger out because you may squeeze the venom sac, causing more venom to be released.
4. If available, apply a paste of baking soda and water, a cold cloth, or ice cubes to reduce the pain and swelling.
5. An increase in swelling and redness is common within the first 24 hours. Apply ice to the area on and off for the first day or so. Also, apply warm compresses to reduce swelling.
6. Continued swellings, redness, tenderness, pus/watery discharge or a red streak progressing away from the bite area are signs of an infection that should be reported immediately to your health care provider.
In the event you get stung or bitten and experience difficulty breathing, hives, numbness, cramping, nausea and/or vomiting, immediately call for emergency assistance.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.