Preventing Illness and Injury
Stings and Bites

Background

Bees sting, leaving a stinger in your skin; wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and spiders bite. In most cases stings and bites are painful but not serious; the pain and itching disappears in a few days. Symptoms are swelling and tenderness around the sting/bite, redness, burning pain and itching. Scratching the wound can introduce infection.

Prevention

1) Wear boots or sneakers and socks; not sandals. 2) Stay well away from the nests of bees, wasps, and hornets and the ground boroughs of yellow jackets. And watch out for sheds and woodpiles for spiders. 3) You cannot outrun the flying insects; if you enter their territory they will attack you in large numbers. 4) Avoid sudden movement if an insect comes near you. 5) Wear light colored clothing.

First Aid

Scrape away any bee stings. Apply cold to reduce swelling. Apply Calamine lotion (non-prescription) to relieve itching. For multiple stings or higher sensitivity, apply Benadryl Cream (2%) and Hydrocortisone Ointment (1%).

Special Precautions

Some people are abnormally allergic to insect bites/stings. The degree of sensitivity varies. In the extreme such stings are life threatening and required immediate medical attention. Most Scouts who have this sensitivity know of it from prior experience or because they have other allergies. Scouts with known serious sensitivity should take the added precautions of: 1) Be sure this sensitivity is recorded in the medical history that you have filed with the troop. 2) Wear a Medic-Alert bracelet property inscribed. 3) Advise the adult leader of any outing of your sensitivity. 4) Be sure a single-dose epinephrine injection is available in the Troop first aid kit accompanying the outing.

For some there is no prior warning or experience with extreme sensitivity. Multiple stings, or even one, can trigger a severe reaction that is caused by a sensitivity that has been building up "silently" for perhaps several years. In the extreme a person can go into anaphylactic shock with little or no warning. Symptoms are: 1) difficulty breathing or swallowing, 2) wheezing, 3) dizziness or fainting, 4) severe hives of swelling, 5) fast heartbeat, 6) weakness, 7) nausea or stomach pain and 8) shock. The first aid is an injection of epinephrine followed by immediate emergency evacuation.