Spiders, Ticks, Mosquitoes, and Bees
You may not feel the sting or bite when it happens, but you'll probably soon notice swelling, redness, itching, or
even pain. Some people have to worry about much more than that, though. If you're allergic to bites or stings,
they could cause hives, dizziness, stomach cramps, or nausea. In rare cases, people feel weak or have trouble
breathing or swallowing. In the worst instances, that can lead to unconsciousness, and even shock or death.
Spider bites are generally harmless, with a few exceptions, such as the bite of the black widow spider. This
poisonous spider is glossy black with a red hourglass mark on the stomach. It measures just one-half inch in
diameter, and lives in woodpiles, sheds, and basements. The bite itself may not hurt, but it could cause bad
stomach pain and cramps, breathing difficulty, and possibly nausea, sweating, twitching, shaking, and tingling
in the hand. See a doctor immediately for black widow spider bites.
Also be alert for brown recluse spiders. They're smaller than black widows and have a white pattern that
looks like a violin on their backs. Their bites can be painful and cause some of the same reactions as black
widows, but they're not as dangerous.
Tick bites are a particular concern. Ticks are tiny bugs that live in tall grass or shrubs and often ride on deer,
dogs, mice, or people. Some ticks carry serious illnesses such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme
disease. You need to identify and treat these illnesses early.
Check yourself and your clothing for ticks when you finish an outdoor job. If one of these tiny insects is on your
skin, remove it quickly. Grab the tick with fine-tipped tweezers, getting as close to the skin as possible. Then
pull it straight up with steady even pressure so you get all its body parts. If you can't remove the tick yourself,
get medical help to do so. Once it is out, wash the area gently with water and apply rubbing alcohol.
See a doctor immediately if you develop a large red spot from the bite or if you develop swelling, fever, joint
pain, or flu-like symptoms within a few weeks. Physicians can treat tick-borne diseases with antibiotics.
However, fast treatment is essential for maximum effectiveness.
Mosquitoes can carry a number of dangerous and deadly diseases, including malaria, dengue and yellow
fevers, several variations of encephalitis, and West Nile virus. Protect yourself from insect-borne diseases by
following these tips:
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Wear light-colored snug clothes. Don't use perfumes or colognes.
Use insect repellent on skin and clothes. Follow label warnings.
Get immediate medical attention for black widow spider bite and difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Check for tiny ticks after all outdoor work.
Remove tick immediately with fine-tipped tweezers. Grab close to skin, pull entire body straight up. Get
medical help if you can't remove it. Then wash with water and cleanse with rubbing alcohol.
Get prompt medical attention if tick bite causes red spot or if swelling, fever, joint pain, or flu-like
symptoms develop.
Why It Matters ...
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Ticks are found across the United States, with Lyme disease-causing ticks located mostly in the Eastern
half of the country and ticks carrying Rocky Mountain spotted fever located in the Rocky Mountain
states.
Spiders may seem small, but their bites can cause big problems.
Mosquitoes are everywhere in season, and their ubiquity can lead us to see them as a mere nuisance. But
they can carry deadly diseases.
Stung by a bee
What do I do?
If you are stung by a honey bee, one of the most important things to do is not to panic. Panic by the person stung or
those around him/her can produce a systemic reaction in itself. Many people believe they are allergic to honey bees
when in fact they are experiencing symptoms of a normal reaction. Only a very limited portion of the population (one
or two out of 1000) is allergic or hypersensitive to bee or wasp stings. The average person can safely tolerate 10
stings per pound of body weight. This means that although 500 stings could kill a child, the average adult could
withstand more than 1100 stings. Most deaths caused by multiple stings have occurred in elderly individuals who may
have had poor cardiopulmonary functioning.
If stung by a honey bee, the first thing you should do is remove the stinger. The end of a sting is barbed and will
remain stuck in the skin even if the bee is removed. Muscles in the stinger allow it to continue pumping venom into
the victim, even if it is no longer connected to the bee, for up to a minute or until the stinger is removed. The sooner
the stinger is removed, the less venom will enter the wound. Honey bees are able to sting only once and eventually
die after they have released their stinger.
How to remove the stinger:
Do not pull the stinger out with your fingers or tweezers because this will squeeze out more venom. Instead, scrape
the stinger out with your fingernail, the edge of a credit card, a dull knife blade, or other straight edged object.
Two kinds of reactions are usually associated with bee stings and those of other stinging insects as well: (1) local or
(2) systemic, allergic, or life-threatening.
(1) Local Reactions:
A local reaction is usually characterized by pain, swelling, redness, itching, and a wheal surrounding the wound made
by the stinging apparatus. Swelling can sometimes be sever. For instance, if stung on the finger, the arm may be
swollen even up to the elbow. Swelling such as this is fairly common, even though it may be alarming. However, a
more serious allergic reaction may be indicated if other parts of the body besides the general area in which the sting
occurs begins to swell. For example, if stung on the left hand and the right hand or neck shows swelling you should
seek medical attention immediately. Normal swelling may last up to a few days. During the days following a stinging
incident, the wound may itch.
This is the reaction of a majority of persons and those suffering it are considered to be at little risk of death, unless
the mouth or throat is affected so that the respiratory tract is obstructed. Many in the general population continue to
believe that because they "swell up," they are at risk of losing their life when stung by bees.
How to alleviate the sting: Swelling may be reduced by icing the wound and/or taking an antihistamine such as
Benedril. Topical solutions such as calamine may also help to alleviate pain associated with stinging. It is beneficial to
drink plenty of water.
(2) Systemic, Allergic, or Life-Threatening Reactions:
It is possible to have a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting that is not life-threating. Remember, if an allergic
reaction occurs, do seek medical attention immediately, but try not to panic. Panic will only worsen the reaction.
Allergic reactions to bee stings can develop anywhere on the body and may include:
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Rash or hives
Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Dizziness or severe headache
Swelling that is not in the general area of the sting site, especially in the throat, neck, or tongue.
Shortness of breath or difficulty in swallowing.
Shock
Unconsciousness
Drop in blood pressure
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical assistance immediately. Symptoms can begin
immediately following the sting or up to 30 minutes later and might last for hours. Anaphylaxis, or the inability to
breath, will occur within seconds or minutes of a sting.
Anaphylaxis, if treated in time, usually can be reversed by epinephrine (adrenaline) injected into the body. Individuals
who are aware that they are allergic to stings should carry epinephrine in either a normal syringe (sting kit) or an
auto-injector (Epi-Pen) whenever they think they might encounter stinging insects. Epinephrine is obtainable only by
prescription from a physician.