First Aid for Insect Bites and Stings PDF

* Seek Warmth. If going indoors ts not possible, shield the person from the wind, cover their head, and insulate their body from the cold ground. « Remove wet clothing. Replace wet items with a warm, dry covering, if possible and appropriate. « Do not apply...

* Seek Warmth. If going indoors ts not possible, shield the person from the wind, cover their head, and insulate their body from the cold ground. « Remove wet clothing. Replace wet items with a warm, dry covering, if possible and appropriate. « Do not apply direct heat. Do not use hot water, a heating pad or a heating lamp to warm the victim. Instead, apply warm com- presses to the neck, chest wall and groin. Do not attempt to warm the arms and legs. Heat applied to the arms and legs forces cold blood back toward the heart, lungs and brain, causing the core body temperature to drop. ‘This can be fatal. « Do not give the person alcohol. Offer a warm non-alcoholic drink, unless the person is vomiting. +» Do not massage or rub the person. Handle those with hypother- mia gently, as they are at risk for cardiac arrest. Insect Bites and Stings: First Aid According to the Mayo Clinic, signs and symptoms of an insect bite result from venom or other substances being injected into the skin. The venom triggers an allergic reaction. The severity of the reaction depends on a person's sensitivity to the insect venom or substance. Most reactions to insect bites are minor and include swelling, redness, pain and itching. Delayed reactions for those more susceptible to allergies may include fever, hives, painful joints, and swollen glands. Those bitten or stung by an insect might suffer both immediate and delayed reactions from the same bite or sting. Only a small percent- age develop severe reactions (anaphylaxis) to insect venom. Stings from bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and fire ants are typically the most taxing. Bites from mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies and some spiders also can cause reactions, some mild, some severe, depending on the type and what diseases they are carrying. For mild reactions: « Move to a safe area to avoid more stings. « 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 134