Basic First Aid On The Trail: Insect Stings
How To Treat & Deal With Insect Stings On The Trail
From bees to wasps to hornets, stinging insects are not something to ignore. These little creatures can be fatal for some and at the very least uncomfortable for others when they strike. Know what to look out for in your local area, what to do when they sting and how to treat the injury. You should also know if you are allergic to these stings and keep an eye out for adverse bodily reactions. This could be the difference between and life and death for many people.
Preventing Insect Stings Before They Happen
One way to prevent stunning insects from getting you is to avoid them. Not all but a large portion of the insects which sting don’t do so unprovoked. This doesn’t mean you have to provoke them but they may mistake an action for a threat. Some types however, are aggressive by nature and will attack to attack such as africanized Bees. Do some research into the area of interest for you before leaving home. Look for things like seasonal wildlife and threats which may be there.
Types of bees to watch out for are africanized bees, bumble bees, carpenter bees and honey bees. Hornets you need to watch out for are bald faced hornets, yellow jackets and European hornets. For wasps you will need to keep an eye out for mud dauber wasps and paper wasps. There are more stinging insects but these cover a large majority of what you can expect to encounter in North America.
Treating Insect Stings Before They Become Worse
To treat and dress an insect sting you need to first remove the stinger. This can be done by sliding a credit card across the skin at an angle. Do not attempt to pull out the stinger directly. After the stinger is removed, reduce the swelling to the area with ice, cold water or a cold compress. Keep an eye out for signs of an allergic reaction. Let the person rest for a period of time and keep the injured part of the body elevated if possible. Always seek professional medical attention immediately after a sting to an individual suspected of being allergic. Be very careful to note stings in the mouth or throat as swelling may block airways.
Signs of an allergic reaction include: all body rash, swelling around sting site, chest pressure and/or constriction of the throat/airways and light headedness or faint feelings. If you even think that you or someone else is allergic who have been stung, seek professional medical attention as quickly as possible.
In The End
In the end, when it comes to stinging insects, pay attention to symptoms after the sting. Knowing what to look for and what to do is very important. Also, remember that when things become out fo your control always seek medical attention as fast as possible. Remove the stinger, apply a cold compress and monitor post sting symptoms. When you leave for your next trip and are prepared to deal with stings, you already ahead. If you are allergic, take proper precautions in the case that you are stung. Be safe and be prepared.
