Bites - Remedies for the Treatment of Bites

Bites can range from itchy to painful to life threatening. And youneedn’t live out in the wilderness to run the risk of getting one. In fact, one of the most dangerous kinds of bites can be inflicted in your very own home-a bite from a fellow human being! (Doctors agree that humans have more bacteria in their mouths than most wild animals, no matter how often we brush our teeth.)

Many bites can be treated at home, although others, like a human bite, require an immediate visit to the doctor or emergency room. The trick is distinguishing the dangerous from the benign.

The following is a guide to treating the most common types of bites, as well as a few tips on how to avoid getting bitten in the first place. Of course, if you have had a run-in with a creature that you suspect is dangerous, whether or not it is discussed here, don’t attempt self-treatment. See a doctor without delay. The same advice holds true if you experience any signs of illness (such as fever, loss of consciousness, nausea, dizziness, or vomiting) following a bite.

Ice an itch. Itchy mosquito bites may benefit from an ice-cold compress, according to Karl Singer, M.D., F.P., I.M., a physician in Exeter, New Hampshire. “Ice decreases the inflammation and stops the pain and itching,” he says. He recommends icing the bite for 20 minutes at a time every few hours. The same goes for nonpoisonous spider bites, which can also leave an itchy welt.

Try an old fail-safe. When you had a mosquito bite as a child, your mother probably used calamine lotion-a thin, chalky, pink liquid-to stop the itch. Sold over the counter (and quite economical, too, compared with alternatives such as hydrocortisone), it is just as effective today, says Michael R. Stefan, M.D., a physician specializing in internal medicine in Los Angeles.

Give an antihistamine a try. Over-the-counter antihistamines can also help an itchy bite, since the itch is really a mild allergic reaction, says Singer. Of course, antihistamines should not be used by sensitive individuals, pregnant women, people with allergies to ingredients in the products, or those who are taking conflicting medications. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are in doubt.

Recognize the signs of a severe reaction. The bite from a venomous spider can cause a severe allergic reaction. It is important, therefore, to recognize the signs of an allergic reaction before it is too late, according to Lawrence H. Bernstein, M.D., a family physician in Storrs, Connecticut. Symptoms of anaphylaxis, or severe allergic reaction, include difficulty breathing, hives all over the body, and loss of consciousness. Anyone experiencing these warning signals should be rushed to the nearest emergency room, he says. Hospital physicians usually treat anaphylaxis with steroids, adrenaline, and antihistamines.

Don’t panic if you’ve been bitten by a tick. Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that can cause chills, fever, headache, and other complications, has received lots of play in the media of late. But not all ticks carry the disease, and not every Lyme­carrying tick will transmit it to you if you happen to be bitten. Generally, a tick must remain on the skin for 24 to 48 hours in order to transmit the organism that causes Lyme disease, according to Bernstein. “The best thing to do, if you’re in a place where there might be ticks, is to check yourself on a daily basis,” he says. If you remove a tick from your skin (using the directions that follow), Bernstein recommends saving it in a smalljar of alcohol, so that if a suspicious infection develops, the tick can be analyzed for Lyme disease. There is no need to see a doctor unless you notice any signs of swelling or redness around the bite (a sign of infection), a bull’s-eye-shaped rash (often a symptom of Lyme disease), a fever, or a skin rash, Bernstein says.

Remove ticks with care. To remove a tick from your skin, grasp the insect’s mouthparts with tweezers as close as possible to your skin and slowly pull straight upward. Do not attempt to pull the tick’s body or head, as it may break off, leaving themouthparts underneath your skin, Bernstein says. Use the tweezers to remove any remaining parts of the tick. Next, apply a local antiseptic, such as alcohol or an antibiotic ointment, to the bite.

Stop the bleeding. If an animal bite has caused severe bleeding, apply pressure to the area with th palm of your hand, says Michael O. Fleming, M.D., EA.A.EP., a family physician in Shreveport, Louisiana. If the wound is large, tie a scarf, towel, or T-shirt tightly around the site to create pressure over a larger area (not tightly enough to cut off circulation). Immobilize the area. If the bite is on a limb, elevate the limb above the level of the heart. See a physician pronto.

Don’t treat a puncture like a scratch. A bite that leaves a scratch but doesn’t really break the skin may simply be washed with soap and water, then covered with an antibacterial cream or ointment. Not so for a bite that breaks or punctures the skin, according to Bernstein. The latter needs the expertise of a doctor, he says. “You need to establish whether the animal is rabid or not,” he advises. “Observe the animal carefully. With wild animals, if the animal is particularly placid-for example, if you can walk up to a squirrel and feed it-there’s something wrong with that animal. It’s sick.” He suggests calling a doctor or veterinarian to find out if there have been any reported outbreaks of rabies in wild or domestic animals in your area.

Get a tetanus booster. If you’ve been bitten by a wild or domestic animal and the bite has broken the skin, it’s probably wise to contact your doctor to see if you need a tetanus booster shot (whether or not you need one depends, in part, on the type of wound and the timing of your last tetanus shot). “Animal bites and human bites are easily infected,” Fleming says. “All animals have a very large number of bacteria that live in their mouths.” He also advises watching for signs of infection, such as redness and swelling.

Report an animal to the authorities. If you’ve been bitten by an animal in your community, call your local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) or animal catcher (check your local phone directory for the number) to report the incident. If the animal was wild or a stray, the
proper agency may want to track it down and capture it for observation, especially if rabies is suspected. If the animal belongs to a neighbor, report it to the pet’s owner, and, if you choose, to the authorities (many communities have laws concerning pet bites).

Don’t get bitten in the first place. Perhaps the most sensible way to treat a bite is in advance-before you get bitten-Stefan says. Stay away from wild animals, even if they let you approach, and don’t pester snakes, spiders, bees, or anything else that looks threatening. “Most animals and insects will not attack you unless you are bothering them,” he says. Even animals that do not look threatening, such as ground squirrels, may be trouble, Stefan adds, since they may carry fleas that can transmit diseases. Insect and tick repellents may also help you avoid bites when spending long periods of time outdoors.

Know your local fauna. It’s best to keep abreast of the insects and animals in your area, so that you know what to watch out for. For example, you may live in an area where there has been an outbreak of rabies among domestic animals or a large number of Lyme-carrying ticks, according to Richard E. Hannigan, M.D., an internist in private practice in Helotes, Texas. Likewise, you should know if rattlesnakes, poisonous spiders, or scorpions are likely to take up residence around your neighborhood. If you live in an area, such as the Southwest, that is home to poisonous snakes and scorpions, learn how to recognize them by sight, and avoid them like the plague, Hannigan recommends.

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