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Miscellany

Safety tips on insect stings

Via Orange County EMS:

Medical Safety Tips on Allergic Reactions to Insects

Orange County Emergency Services would like to remind everyone to be cautious around stinging insects over the summer months. Whether you are cleaning up an old brush pile, mowing grass or enjoying an afternoon picnic, stay alert for nests, swarms and hives.

Captain Dinah Jeffries, Communications Operations Manager for Orange County Emergency Services stated that in Orange County in a three month period of April through June of this year there were over 15 calls to 9-1-1 for allergic reactions due to insect bites or stings. “Allergic reaction calls to the 9-1-1 Center increase over the summer,” Jeffries said. “Both insects and people are more active outdoors and sometimes they are active too close to each other.”

Most reactions to bites or stings from insects are mild. However, some individuals are far more sensitive to insects and suffer severe allergic reactions to the toxins injected with the sting of bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets. These individuals may require emergency medical help.

First aid for severe reactions

1. Check the person’s airways and breathing. If they have trouble breathing, their throat feels tight or severe swelling around the face, call 9-1-1.
2. Reassure the person. Try to keep him or her calm.
3. Remove rings and constricting items near the affected area as swelling may continue.
4. Use the person’s Epi-pen or other emergency kit, if they have one. (Some people who have serious insect reactions carry it with them.)
5. If appropriate, treat the person for signs of shock. Remain with the person until medical help arrives.
6. If they are turning blue begin rescue breathing and CPR.

Do NOT give the person stimulants, aspirin, or other pain medication unless prescribed by the doctor.

The bites of most insects and small bugs such as ants, mosquitoes, flies, spiders, ticks, and mites – do not cause a severe reaction. Sometimes, it may be hard to tell which type of insect has caused the skin inflammation after a bite, as many insect reactions are similar. Flying insects tend to strike exposed skin areas, while bugs such as fleas tend to bite the lower legs and around the waist, and often have several bites grouped together.

General steps for most bites and stings:
Remove the stinger if still present by scraping the back of a credit card or other straight-edged object across the stinger. Do not use tweezers — these may squeeze the venom sac and increase the amount of venom released.
Wash the site thoroughly with soap and water.
Place ice (wrapped in a washcloth) on the site of the sting for 10 minutes and then off for 10 minutes. Repeat this process.
If necessary, take an antihistamine, or apply creams that reduce itching.
Over the next several days, watch for signs of infection (such as increasing redness, swelling, or pain).
The following methods of prevention are offered by The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Department of Health and Human Services.
Avoid provoking insects whenever possible.
Avoid rapid, jerky movements around insect hives or nests.
Avoid perfumes and floral-patterned or dark clothing.
Use appropriate insect repellants and protective clothing.
Use caution when eating outdoors, especially with sweetened beverages or in areas around garbage cans, which often attract bees.
For those who have a serious allergy to insect bites or stings, carry an emergency epinephrine kit (which requires a prescription). Friends and family should be taught how to use it if you have a reaction. Wear a medical ID bracelet.
For more information on first aid for stings and bites from insects, feel free to contact the Orange County Emergency Services at 919-245-6100.

Categories
Miscellany

UNC plans “mini” medical school

UNC’s popular Mini-Medical School features all the benefit of lectures and discussions hosted by researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill without those pesky dissections and labs. The three-part program, designed for non-medical people, includes:

March 3 — Small Wonders: Nanotechnology Medicine
March 10 — Bug Wars: Bacterial Infection Control
March 17 — Personalized Medicine: Treatment Tailored to Your Genome

Classes are from 7-9p.m. at the Friday Center in Chapel Hill. Details and registration information is available at www.med.unc.edu/cme.