Posted: 8/3/2016
Warmer weather, outdoor activities mean more encounters with critters
Summer means spending more time outdoors and more chances you’ll come across creepy crawlers, bugs and even snakes that can leave you with a nasty bite or sting.
While such encounters may be inevitable, experts at the North Texas Poison Center at Parkland emphasize learning how to protect yourself from bites and stings can help keep you safe. Coming in contact with one of these culprits usually results in an initial sharp pain, often followed by your skin’s angry reaction to the bite or sting. While causing some discomfort, most bites and stings are not dangerous. But if you happen to have a severe allergic reaction, the result could be deadly, experts warn.
“People need to be ready for summer because bugs love heat and moisture and when both are in abundant supply, that leads to high populations of insects – from mosquitoes to bees, flies and fleas,” said Mike Yudizky, Public Health Education Manager at the North Texas Poison Center located at Parkland Health & Hospital System. “Prevention is always the best medicine. It’s important to recognize the kinds of insects and other critters that bite and sting in order to avoid them. And, if you do happen to get bitten or stung, you should know what to do.”
Most bites are a defense against a perceived threat, so it’s best to stay away from nests and hives. If you do get bitten, the severity of the bite and symptoms determine how you treat it. First, don’t scratch. Scratching can cause the site to become infected. When venom is injected into the body through a bite or sting, the body’s immune system responds and usually results in redness and swelling. Other responses can include itching or soreness.
Among the insects that can produce painful stings are bees and wasps, yellow jackets, fire ants and scorpions. While many people fear spiders, the good news is that most spiders are not dangerous. But there are a couple of notable exceptions in Texas – the black widow and the brown recluse, usually found in dark areas.
“While both of these spiders are likely to run away when disturbed, they will definitely bite if they feel threatened,” Yudizky said. “If you believe you have been bitten by a black widow or brown recluse, you should call the specialists at the North Texas Poison Center right away.”
While seldom fatal, bites from these two spiders can result in fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, abdominal pain, joint pain or stiffness, and muscle cramps.
Other insects to look out for during the summer are mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and chiggers.
“Regardless of the insect, seek immediate emergency medical attention if the bitten person develops a severe reaction, such as trouble breathing or loss of consciousness,” Yudizky said. “If someone has previously suffered a severe reaction from such a bite and has been prescribed an auto-injector of epinephrine, they should always carry that injector, especially when they are likely to come in contact with insects.”
Using an insect repellent that contains DEET is an excellent way to keep many insects away. Wear hats and clothing that provide protection and choose clothes with neutral colors rather than brightly colored items that can attract some bugs. Keep food and drinks covered and avoid wearing perfume or cologne.
Snakes pose another potential threat outdoors in Texas. It’s difficult to tell which snakes are venomous and which are not, so the best policy is to leave them alone, Yudizky said.
For any bite or sting, it’s best not to try any home remedies or treatment you may have read about online. Instead, contact the experts at the North Texas Poison Center by dialing 1.800.222.1222 for treatment instructions. The North Texas Poison Center recently received reaccreditation by the American Association of Poison Centers. This reaccreditation is valid for seven years.