Army - The Soldiers' Newspaper

Australia’s nasty side

By Dr Dorothy Coote

Australia is full of killer snakes, prompt action is everything. Photo by Cpl Belinda Mepham, Army newspaper

Animal and insect bites involving broken skin are common. Following these simple guidelines will assist in their management.
First aid for animal bites

Apply pressure to the wound to stop bleeding (NOT a tourniquet).

For serious bites, call 000.

Wash the area with clean running water for five minutes.

Place a sterile bandage over the wound.

If the animal is a pet get the name and address of the owner.

Only capture the animal if it is safe to do so.

Seek professional medical care.

Contact police or animal control office to report the bite.

Treatment for animal and human bites may include antibiotics or tetanus booster.

Tick bites

Grass ticks are about the size of a pinhead and cause little reaction other than an itchy bump at the bite site.

Other ticks, such as dog and cattle ticks are larger and can cause significant local swelling, itch and a general feeling of malaise.

Rarely, tick typhus occurs and if a rash and flu-like symptoms develop, antibiotics may be needed.

The Australian Paralysis Tick occurs in eastern Australian – its bite can cause severe and sometimes life-threatening illness.
If poisoning occurs there is an antitoxin available. If you experience any swelling of the face or throat after having been in a tick-infested area, seek medical treatment urgently.

Prevention

Wear long pants and covered footwear in bush areas. Also, check your body after being in these areas.

First aid for tick bite

If bitten by a tick, first spray the tick with insect repellent to kill it before removal. Never squeeze its body. Place tweezers between the head of the tick and the victim’s skin and lever out.

Keep the tick in a plastic bag for identification by your doctor.

Watch for development of a rash if you think you’ve been bitten by a tick and see your doctor.

The rash is often accompanied by flu-like symptoms and muscle weakness. Antibiotics are necessary if this occurs.

Bee stings
Some people are very sensitive to bee stings and may even develop a life-threatening allergic reaction.

If you can still see the stinger, scrape it off using a credit card or your fingernail. Don’t squeeze it as this could inject more venom.

Wash and dry the stung area.

Apply a cold pack or iced water (which may be in a plastic bag), but do not apply ice directly to the skin.

Have a phone available for the next two hours in case of negative reactions.

Even if a person has been stung before with no reaction, he or she can still have an allergic reaction to a bee sting.

If swelling begins around the lips and eyes and a rash develops or the person has trouble breathing, or develops shock (pale skin, rapid pulse, feeling faint) call 000 immediately.

Where the victim has noisy, laboured breathing, general distress and collapse, or is known to have bee-sting allergy, remove the sting then apply pressure-immobilisation as for a snake bite.

Snake bites

At least 1000 Australians suffer snake bite every year.

We have about 100 species of venomous snake, of which about 20 can be harmful to humans.

Victims should always go to hospital urgently for assessment as antivenom may need to be given.

Hospitals have a snake venom detection test that can identify the venom in low amounts either from the bite site or from urine.

There are five types of antivenom for specifically identified bites and a polyvalent antivenom for use if the snake hasn’t been identified.

First aid for snake bite

Do not wash the bite site, as samples may be required for venom ID.

Apply a firm broad bandage over the bite site as tightly as one would for a sprain.

Extend the bandages area over as much of a limb as possible.

Apply a splint to limit movement.

Transport to hospital ASAP.

Place victim on their side if unconscious, nauseated, drooling or having trouble breathing. Give expired air respiration if required.