Spider and insect bites

At the site of the scorpion bite, there is a sharp, unbearable pain that lasts for several hours, and blisters filled with liquid, followed by the formation of a dark pink dot. Signs of intoxication quickly develop: fever, weakness, dizziness; then convulsions, difficulty breathing and swallowing, increased blood pressure, in severe cases - shock and respiratory arrest.

The bite of the black widow is often painless, but after 10-15 minutes the symptoms progress rapidly, reaching a maximum 2 hours after the bite. Typical is the phenomenon of "pain layering" of various nature, severe weakness in the lower limbs, agitation, a feeling of fear, tension of the abdominal muscles, meningeal symptoms, urinary retention. Gradually, toxic arterial hypertension, pulmonary edema, coma develop. In an unfavorable outcome, death occurs on the second day at the latest, the mortality rate reaches 4%.

Read also the article about bites from other spiders.

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First Aid for Spider Bites

In case of arachnid bites, the venom is squeezed out of the wound and wiped with a napkin. The wound is treated with a 1% solution of potassium permanganate. To relieve pain from a scorpion bite, a novocaine blockade is performed with a 0.5% solution of procaine (novocaine) at 5-10 ml, metamizole sodium (analgin) and narcotics are also used. To relieve toxic hypertension, beta-blockers are used - 0.1% solution of propranolol (obzidan) from 0.01-0.02 mg to 0.1 mg / kg intravenously or orally. In case of a karakurt bite, a 25% solution of magnesium sulfate is administered at 0.2 ml per 1 kg of body weight, as well as a 10% solution of calcium gluconate at 1.0 ml per year of life intravenously.

The introduction of antitoxic serum (purified concentrated liquid serum against the venom of the black widow spider) according to the Bezredka method in a volume of 10-20 ml for a scorpion bite or 20-60 ml for a black widow bite is indicated only in severe cases after intravenous administration of antihistamines and glucocorticosteroids (prednisolone 2-5 mg/kg or dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg). It is very important to introduce the serum in the first hour after the bite.

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First aid for insect bites

It is necessary to remove the sting and treat the wound with a 10% ammonia solution (ammonia) or soap and water. It is especially important to remove the sting as soon as possible in case of multiple bites, since the sac with venom in the wound continues to pulsate, which leads to its greater intake. Locally - cold compresses, ice. If the bite is localized in the limb and significant edema develops, it is given an elevated position and immobilized. In case of symptoms of systemic anaphylaxis, a 0.1% solution of epinephrine (adrenaline) is administered intravenously 0.1 ml per year of life (10 mcg / kg). The use of antihistamines is indicated: 1% solution of diphenhydramine (diphenhydramine), 2% solution of chloropyramine (suprastin) 0.03-0.05 ml / kg or clemastine (tavegil) 0.1 ml per year of life; glucocorticosteroids (prednisolone 5 mg/kg or dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg), bronchodilators: 100-200 mg salbutamol, 20-80 mcg ipratropium bromide per inhalation, 10-40 drops of ipratropium bromide + fenoterol (berodula) in a nebulizer.

When bitten by a bee, other hymenoptera insects (bumblebee, wasp, hornet) and ants, a reaction may develop in the form of local reddening of the skin, moderate pain, swelling and subsequent itching. A bite in the oral cavity of a child can lead to obstruction of the upper respiratory tract. Signs of systemic anaphylaxis in victims include the appearance of a generalized urticarial rash, swelling in the face, skin itching, dry cough, dyspepsia. Laryngo- and bronchospasm, shock, pulmonary edema, coma develop. A fatal outcome in the case of systemic anaphylaxis is possible within the first 30 minutes from the moment of the bite. In the case of multiple bites (10 or more), the symptoms of toxic damage are similar to a systemic anaphylactic reaction.

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