June 30, 2022 | The weather is heating up and you know what that means? It’s only a matter of time before you will be dealing with those pesky insects that can be such an annoyance at outdoor events. Most insect bites and stings are harmless and cause only minor discomfort. Some, however, can be painful and even life threatening. Anaphylactic shock is the body’s severe allergic reaction to a bite or sting and requires immediate emergency care. Thousands of people are stung by insects each year, and as many as 90 to 100 people in the United States die as a result of allergic reactions. This number may be underreported as deaths may be mistakenly diagnosed as heart attacks or sunstrokes or may be attributed to other causes. It is very important for people who spend any time outdoors to learn about their risk of exposure to insects, how they can prevent and protect themselves from stings and bites and what they should do if they are stung or bitten.

June 30, 2022 | Bee stings are a common nuisance to anyone who enjoys the outdoors. For most people, they are simply annoying but if you’re allergic to bee stings or you get stung numerous times, you may have a more serious reaction that requires emergency treatment. Most of the time, a bee sting will produce an instant, sharp burning pain as well as swelling and a red welt. The swelling and pain usually goes away within a few hours. People who are allergic to bee stings or are stung more than a dozen times may become quite sick, including having difficulty breathing and suffering from swelling of the throat or tongue and even losing consciousness. If you’ve been stung by a bee, wash the site with soap and water and remove the stinger with gauze wiped over the area or by scraping a fingernail over the area. If you have a serious reaction and have been prescribed an emergency epinephrine autoinjector, use it right away as your doctor directed.

June 30, 2022 | Imported fire ants first came to the United States around 1930. Now there are five times more ants per acre in the United States than in their native South America. The fire ants that came to the United States escaped their natural enemies and thrived in the southern landscape. Fire ants bite and sting. They are aggressive when stinging and inject venom, which causes a burning sensation. Red bumps form at the sting, and within a day or two they become white fluid-filled pustules. Take care not to disturb or stand near ant mounds and be careful when lifting items off the ground as they may have fire ants on them. If you stumble into a nest of fire ants, brush them off quickly as they can attach to your skin with their jaws. Wash the site of the sting with soap and cold water and apply a topic steroid ointment such as hydrocortisone to relieve the itching. And go to your local emergency room if you develop symptoms like chest pain or severe sweating.

June 30, 2022 | The bump that accompanies a mosquito bite usually clears up on its own after a few days. But take care because bites from mosquitoes carrying certain viruses or parasites can cause severe illness. Infected mosquitoes in many parts of the world transmit West Nile virus to humans. Other mosquito-borne infections include yellow fever, malaria and some types of brain infection. Mosquito bites are caused by female mosquitoes feeding on your blood. Female mosquitoes have a mouth part made to pierce skin and siphon off blood. Males lack this blood-sucking ability because they don’t produce eggs and so have no need for the protein in human blood. As a biting mosquito fills itself with blood, it injects saliva into your skin. Proteins in the saliva trigger a mild immune system reaction that results in the characteristic itching and bump. If you develop a fever, headache or body aches after being bitten by a mosquito, it’s a good idea to be seen by a doctor.

June 30, 2022 | There are more than 1,000 species of scorpions all over the world, and at least 70 species are found in the United States, mostly in the southwestern states and Florida. Scorpions usually hide during the day and are active at night. They may be hiding under rocks, wood, or anything else lying on the ground. Most scorpions live in dry, desert areas. However, some species can be found in grasslands, forests and inside caves. A scorpion sting may cause a stinging or burning sensation at the site of the sting. It can also cause convulsions, abdominal pain and respiratory problems. If you’ve been stung by a scorpion, contact a health care provider or poison control center for medical instructions. It’s a good idea to capture the scorpion if possible for identification purposes. Ice may be applied to the sting site but don’t submerge the affected limb in ice water. Try to remain calm and relaxed as the symptoms usually subside within 48 hours.