Bites and stings – what to look out for
With Spring around the corner it is important to note how to deal with insect stings and bites.
SPRING is on its way and with it comes South Africa’s rich variety of insects and arachnids – some of which sting and bite.
It is therefore important to know how to handle those bites and stings.
Bees, wasps and hornets
Generally, a sting from a bee or hornet will only result in a localised reaction, although it may result in life threatening symptoms in people who are highly allergic to bee venom. Local reactions include: burning, swelling and redness.
The mild pain and itching can be treated by applying ice or specific ointments as well as by taking pain medication such as ibuprofen, or an antihistamine.
The biggest risk associated with bee stings is anaphylaxis, a severe life threatening allergic reaction.
Anaphylaxis occurs when your body develops a severe allergic reaction to something, such as food, medication or stings. Some of the symptoms include: Swelling of the tongue, throat, body, rash, often itchy hives and/or redness, abnormally fast heartbeat and vomiting or stomach pain.
If someone in your family experiences any of the above symptoms after a sting administer auto-injectable epinephrine (adrenaline) if it has previously been prescribed and is on hand and lie the person down with their feet elevated, and call an ambulance urgently.
Spiders and scorpions
If you are bitten by a spider or scorpion it helps to carefully catch the spider or scorpion and bring it along to the hospital so that doctors know exactly how to treat the bite or sting.
It is always good to check the status of your tetanus immunisation after any spider bite.
Deaths from spider bites in South Africa are rare.
The most dangerous spiders include black and brown button or widow spiders (Latrodectus species), sac spiders and the violin spiders.
The button spiders are neurotoxic spiders as their venom causes widespread effects on the nerves and muscles.
The latter two are known as cytotoxic spiders because their venom can destroy cells.
Most scorpions are harmless but a few species can cause life-threatening systemic envenoming (poisoning in the body).
Scorpions with thick tails and slender pincers are more venomous than those with slender tails and large pincers. Scorpions that use big, strong pincers to catch their prey, seldom have a very venomous sting at the end of their tail.
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