▷ FIRST AID: for a STING, WHAT is? HOW do you NEUTRALIZE? TREATMENT

Almost all spiders have venom, but relatively few are capable of causing serious accidents in humans. In America, toxic accidents are caused mainly by the Latrodectus mactans species, or by species of the Ctenus or Lycosa type, and also by the so-called chicken spiders in the Rioplatense countries, which belong to the group of mygalomorphs.

The latter are given different names in other countries, such as crab-eating spider, rhea-cabilu, tarantulas, etc.

The symptoms of spider stings vary according to the type of spider that caused the bite. However, the most common symptoms are often significant skin lesions, with nervous symptoms predominating and sometimes with repercussions on the kidneys.

Quite soon after the bite, muscle contractions appear in the back, abdomen and sometimes in the limbs, causing very intense pain. There is paleness, profuse sweating, rapid pulse, chills, and a feeling of anxiety, all of which give the case an appearance of seriousness.

In the most serious cases, paralysis occurs, breathing becomes rapid and renal and hepatic symptoms appear (scant and bloody urine and jaundice, i.e. yellowish skin coloration).

First aid for spider stings is described below:

• A hot bath can be effective. The patient can be placed in a bathtub with water at 36.6º or 37ºC (98º or 99ºF), placing a cloth soaked in cold water on the forehead and changing it frequently.

• Gradually increase the temperature of the water until it reaches, depending on tolerance, a temperature of 39º to 40.8ºC (102º to 105ºF).

• Leave the patient in the bathtub, if he tolerates it well, for 15 to 20 minutes.

• This treatment effectively combats pain and the tendency to become cold. If there is no bath thermometer, a hot bath can be taken as well. It will be essential to call the doctor, who will administer medication to combat pain and contractures when he deems it necessary.

• While the injured person is being taken to the hospital, apply ice to the area of ​​the bite to slow the absorption of the venom.

• Diet based on fruit and cooked cereals, as long as there is albumin in the urine.

Bee and wasp stings cause severe pain, and soon afterward a small, raised, whitish area appears, which then swells.

The swelling is very marked in certain areas (eyelids, neck, lips). Sometimes general symptoms appear, such as nausea and vomiting, dizziness, a tendency to faint, headache, rapid pulse, etc.

When bee and wasp stings are very numerous, in addition to the general symptoms mentioned above, other more serious symptoms may occur: muscle contractions and fibrillations, agitation, increased sensitivity, accelerated breathing and pulse, etc.

First aid for bee and wasp stings is as follows:

• Remove the stinger if it remains in the skin. In the case of a bee sting, the gland containing the venom remains attached to the stinger, so care must be taken not to compress it when removing the stinger.

• If there are general symptoms and the corresponding antitoxic serum cannot be obtained, it is beneficial to inject blood (intramuscularly) from a healthy beekeeper, who, having suffered a very large number of bee stings, has antitoxic substances in his blood.

• In case of general symptoms, intravenous injections of calcium gluconate may also be beneficial. The doctor often prescribes, with benefit, antihistamines, corticosteroids or adrenaline.

• Locally, the following treatments can be chosen:

• a) Apply a thick paste made from baking soda and water. Better still, if you can get one, use a corticoid ointment or, failing that, an antihistamine.

• b) Apply an ointment containing 1% menthol or a local anesthetic (orthoform, pantocaine, percaine).

• c) Apply water containing 1% phenol to the affected area, or about 3 tablespoons of vinegar per liter.

• d) Rub the affected area with cologne to which a few drops of liquid ammonia have been added (5 drops in 2 large tablespoons of cologne).

• e) If the local reaction is very violent, apply compresses soaked in ice water or an ice pack.

First aid for a scorpion sting is:

• The treatment will be similar to the first aid for a spider stings.

• The antitoxic serum to be injected will be antiscorpion.

• Corticosteroids are useful.

• Apply ice to the bite, which soothes the pain and slows the absorption of the venom.

• Apply iodine tincture or tephorin ointment to the bite site, or rub gently with alcohol containing 5% menthol.

• It is advisable, especially in children, to disinfect the bite with merthiolate, metaphen or parophenol.

• Apply a lotion or cream containing an antipruritic and an antihistamine (for example Caladryl or Calaminol) or even better a cream containing corticosteroids.

First aid for gnat stings

• Avoid scratching.

• Treat as if it were a mosquito bite to avoid infection and soothe the itching.

• Apply the corticosteroid cream several times a day.

First aid for beetle stings

• Apply ointments or creams containing corticosteroids, 1% pantocaine or percaine or another local anesthetic.

• Beetle stings can be treated like burns or with the various local applications mentioned above for bee stings.