Bites and Stings Health Article

Definition

People can be injured by the bites or stings of many animals, including mammals such as dogs, cats, and fellow humans; arthropods such as spiders, bees, and wasps; snakes; and marine animals such as jellyfish and stingrays.

Mammals

DOGS. The risk of a dog bite can be reduced by avoiding sick or stray dogs, staying away from dogfights (people often get bitten when they try to separate the animals), and not provoking or upsetting dogs while they are sleeping, eating, or tending their puppies. Infants and young children must never be left alone with a dog. Pit bulls, rottweilers, and German shepherd dogs—breeds that caused nearly half of all fatal dog attacks in the United States between 1997 and 2000—are potentially dangerous pets in households where children live or visit. All dog breeds benefit from obedience training and spaying or neutering to lessen the chances of aggressive behavior.

CATS. Warn children to stay away from strange cats and to avoid rough play and other behavior that can anger cats and cause them to bite.

Arthropods

SPIDERS. Common-sense precautions include exercising caution when clearing webs out of garages, outhouses, and other places favored by venomous spiders; keeping one's hands away from places where spiders may be lurking; and, when camping or vacationing, checking clothing, shoes, and sleeping areas.

BEES AND WASPS. When outdoors, avoid bee and wasp nests, and don't eat sweet food or wear bright clothing, perfumes, or fragranced cosmetics that attract bees and wasps.

Emergency medical kits containing self-injecting epinephrine to counter anaphylactic shock are available for people with a history of allergic response to insect stings; these should be carried with them at all times. People who suspect they are allergic should consult an allergist about immunotherapy shots that can build up resistance to bee and wasp venom.

Snakes

Mowing the lawn, trimming hedges, and removing brush from the yard discourages snakes from living close to homes. Use tongs to move brush, lumber, and firewood in case snakes are lying beneath them. Similarly, golfers should never use their hands to retrieve golf balls from a water hole, since snakes can be hiding in the rocks and weeds. Caution is also necessary when walking through weedy or grassy areas, and children should be prevented from playing in weedy, vacant lots and other places where snakes may live. Leather boots and long pants offer hikers and campers some protection from bites. Approaching a snake, even a dead one, can be dangerous, for recently killed snakes can still inflict a venomous bite if there is contact with the fangs.

Marine animals

JELLYFISH. Obey posted warning signs at the beach. Also, since jellyfish tentacles are transparent and can be up to 120 ft (36.5 m) long, great caution must be exercised whenever a jellyfish is sighted nearby.

STINGRAYS. Shuffling while walking through shallow areas that may be inhabited by stingrays will disturb the water, causing the animal to move before it can be stepped on.

Health care team roles

Persons trained in first aid provide initial support. Emergency medical technicians provide life support and transportation to medical facilities. Physicians trained in emergency or environmental medicine supervise treatment of bite victims. Registered nurses support, treat, and care for patients in emergency rooms and other hospital departments. Surgeons debride and repair serious bite wounds. Laboratory technicians process fluid and tissue specimens. Pathologists interpret test results. Physical therapists provide therapeutic services during the recovery period.

BOOKS

Holve, Steve. "Envenomations." In Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 21st ed., edited by Lee Goldman and Bennett, J. Claude. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 2000, 2174-2178.

Linden, Christopher H., and Frederick H. Lovejoy, "Disorders Caused by Reptile Bites and Marine Animal Evenomations." In Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th ed., edited by Anthony S. Fauci, et al. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1998, 2544-2548.

Norris, Robert L., Scott Oslund, and Paul S. Auerbach. "Ectoparasite Infestations and Arthropod Bites and Stings." In Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th ed., edited by Anthony S. Fauci, et al. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1998, 2548-2554.

Sutherland, Struan, and James Tibballs. Australian Animal Toxins, 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.