Lesson 37: Bites and Stings

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📘 Lesson Summary

Bites and stings are common and can range from minor injuries to more serious conditions such as infection or allergic reactions.

In this lesson, you will learn how to manage animal and human bites, as well as insect bites and stings.

🐾 Animal and Human Bites

Bites can cause puncture wounds and carry a high risk of infection.

🩸 Treatment

  • Reassure the casualty
  • Wash the wound with soap and warm water
  • Gently encourage slight bleeding to help clean the wound
  • Pat dry and cover with a sterile dressing

🚨 Seek medical help if:

  • The wound is deep
  • There are signs of infection
  • The bite is from an animal
  • The casualty has not had a recent tetanus vaccination

🐝 Insect Bites and Stings

Most insect bites and stings are minor, but some can cause allergic reactions.

🩺 Treatment

  • Remove the sting if visible by scraping it away
  • Wash the area with soap and water
  • Apply a cold compress to reduce pain and swelling

⚠️ Watch for:

  • Increasing swelling
  • Pain or redness
  • Signs of allergic reaction

🚨 Seek urgent help if:

  • There are signs of anaphylaxis
  • The casualty has difficulty breathing
  • Swelling affects the face or airway

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Clean bite wounds thoroughly to reduce infection
  • Do not squeeze excessively — gentle bleeding is enough
  • Remove stings by scraping, not squeezing
  • Monitor for allergic reactions
  • Seek medical help when needed