Insect bites and stings are common and are seldom cause for worry. There are several insects in the Southeastern United States that can produce serious bites and stings. Being able to recognize and treat a person who has been bitten or stung can make a big difference, especially if bitten or stung by a poisonous insect. The results of some more poisonous bites and stings left untreated can result in permanent disfigurement and even death.
Southeastern Insects Covered by This Article
There are of course too many biting and stinging insects to cover exhaustively. The following are several of the more common insects encountered that command attention in the Southeastern United States:
• Honey bees
• Wasps, Hornets, Yellowjackets
• Scorpion
• Brown Recluse Spider
• Black Widow Spider
Honey bees
Honeybees are not usually an aggressive insect. They do sting if they are attacked or stepped on and will more likely sting if they detect a threat to their hive. Honey bees have a stinger that have barbs which will pull out a portion of its abdomen called the ovipositor, killing the bee quickly after the sting. This stinger will continue to inject painful poison into the victim until it is removed.
Treatment for a Honey Bee Sting
• First, remove the stinger by either pinching or scraping it off the skin. Studies show that the method of stinger removal isn't important. Quickly removing the stinger is important!
• Apply a cold pack to the sting.
• After pain subsides, the sting will itch. Scratching makes it worse!
• If shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling in the face, or hives appear, or any other non localized reaction, suspect a potential allergic reaction. Call 911 immediately.
Wasps, Hornets and Yellow Jackets
Hornets and Yellow Jackets are both part of the Wasp family. As far as their potential to sting, they can be either gentle or aggressive depending on the species. Regardless, if a wasp is handled, stepped on or perceives its hive as being in danger, it will sting. Like honey bees, wasps use a stinger in their abdomen to inject poison into their victim. Unlike the honey bee, they keep their stingers and can repeatedly sting. When stung by a wasp, removal of the stinger isn't of concern.
Treatments for a Wasp Sting
• Apply a cold pack to the sting.
• After pain subsides, the sting can itch. Scratching makes it worse!
• If shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling in the face, or hives appear, or any other non localized reaction, suspect a potential allergic reaction. Call 911 immediately.
Scorpions
Scorpions in the southeast are common, and will sting painfully if disturbed. Most southeastern scorpion stings aren't life threatening but should be watched in case symptoms become more serious. As the Scorpion uses a stinger to inject its venom, the sting initially feels like being stuck with a pin. The sting can be quite painful and can cause a number of different symptoms. If stung by a scorpion, a good rule of thumb is anything more than moderate pain is an indication that emergency treatment should be sought. A few of these symptoms are sweating, trouble breathing, rapid eye movements or blurred vision, slurred speech, nausea and vomiting.
Treatments for Scorpion Stings
• Wash the area with soapy water.
• Apply a cold pack to the sting.
• Watch for any non localized symptoms including sweating, trouble breathing, rapid eye movements or blurred vision, slurred speech, nausea and vomiting.
Brown Recluse Spider
The Brown Recluse spider is a small brown spider that hides in undisturbed clothing, shoes, gloves, closeted equipment and in other places infrequently visited. They are sometimes characterized by the presence of the shape of a violin or fiddle on their back giving them their colloquial name "fiddle back" spider. This isn't necessarily the best way to identify Brown Recluse spiders. The best way to clearly identify these spiders is to notice they have three sets of two eyes sometimes arranged like a human's two eyes and nose. The brown recluse bite is sometimes not painful or noticed until it becomes a serious skin and tissue lesion. One should seek medical attention if they notice a pimple or blood blister becoming worse in a period of a few hours to a day to become similar to a boil. If untreated, the wound can become gangrenous and potentially life threatening. The best treatment is recognition and immediate professional medical care.
Treatment for Brown Recluse Spider Bites
• Quick Recognition.
• Immediate care by a healthcare professional.
Black Widow Spider
The Black Widow Spider is a relatively small black spider with a characteristic red hourglass shape on its underbelly. The Southern Black Widow spider commonly spins its web in quiet, dry places such as under water meter covers, pieces of firewood or logs, in quite tool sheds and the like. This spider is quite poisonous and can produce a bite that requires medical attention. The bite is usually quite painful followed by several non localized symptoms that always indicate emergency medical attention. Any bite followed by muscle ache, cramps, abdominal pain, nervous jitter, vomiting, dizziness, chest pain and trouble breathing should be an indication of a potential life threatening condition that requires emergency medical attention.
Treatment for Black Widow Spider Bites
• Quick Recognition
• Immediate care by a healthcare professional
Benjamin Karp is the President of GA CPR. GA CPR is a full-service safety company. They offer complete solutions including individual CPR training, product consultation, and advice on developing a custom AED emergency response program for your entire organization. They also supply a full range of Philips AED equipment, CPR manikins, and CPR masks. For more information or to register for an Atlanta CPR class, visit: http://www.gacpr.com
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