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Australia
is full of killer snakes, prompt action is everything. Photo
by Cpl Belinda Mepham, Army newspaper.
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Australia’s
nasty side
By
Dr Dorothy Coote
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 and 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
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, her 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 which 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:
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