BITES + STINGS ppt.ppt first Aid and BLS

Good

1. Bites & Stings
Dr Mutisya Kyalo

2. Introduction
Bites from mosquitoes / stings from bees &
wasps can be extremely painful
Cause: hardening /reddening / swellings
which itch intensely
ACTION:
If left on skin , remove the poison sac with
clean tweezers: caution:-- don’t squeeze
sac :forces remaining poison into the skin

3. Apply cold compression / cold water for quick
pain relief
NB:
Can cause anaphylactic allergic reaction
Follow – ABC

4. Snake Bites
Some are poisonous e.g. puff udder/spitting
cobra /green mamba /Copperhead,
Cottonmouth or Water Moccasin, Coral Snake
etc
Bites from "harmless" snakes can cause
infection or allergic reaction in some people.
Produce : neurotoxic / cardio toxic /
vasculotoxic / blood toxicities etc

5. Most common symptoms of
venomous snake bites
•Individuals may experience symptoms
differently
•Bloody wound discharge
•Fang marks in the skin
•Swelling at the site
•Severe localized pain
•Burning sensation
•Convulsions, fainting, dizziness, weakness,

6. Common symptoms cont;
•Blurred vision
•Excessive sweating
•Fever
•Increased thirst
•Loss of muscle coordination
•Nausea and vomiting
•Numbness and tingling
•Rapid pulse (Tachycardia)

7. Keep casualty calm & still
Promptly take to hospital

8. ACTION
•Call for emergency assistance immediately
•Note species / kill it
•Lay casualty down with wound lower than
heart
•Immobilize the bitten area and keep it lower
than the heart
•Remove fangs if visible
•Wash the bite with soap and water

9. •Cover the area with a clean, cool compress or a
moist dressing to minimize swelling and
discomfort
•Monitor vital signs- RR, HR, BP, Temp
DO NOT:
Apply tourniquet
Slash wound with knife
Attempt to suck out venom
Catch the snake unless its already dead

10. •If a victim is unable to reach medical care
within 30 minutes
•Apply a bandage, wrapped two to four inches
above the bite
•Helps slow the venom
•The band should be loose enough to slip a
finger under it (Not to obstruct blood flow)
•A suction device can be placed over the bite -
help draw venom out (In commercial snake
bite kits)

11. Dog bite
•Stay Safe:
Secure the dog & the victim
 Move one away from the other- separate
them (safe location)
•Wear personal protective equipment
•Control any bleeding – pressure dressing

12. •Avoid using a tourniquet unless there is severe
bleeding that cannot be controlled any other way.
•Clean the wound with soap and warm water -
upto inside of wound
•Rinse all the soap away - Causes irritation
•Cover the wound with a clean, dry dressing – put
antibiotic ointment
•Take to hospital – may need stitching,
antibiotics/anti-rabies vaccine especially if dog
not identified or not vaccinated.

13. •Wounds on the face or hands should be
evaluated well because of the likelihood of
scarring and loss of function
•Watch for signs of infection:
Redness
 Swelling
Heat
Weeping pus

14. Human Bites
•Usually occurs when one person bites
another
 
Or Comes in contact with another person's
teeth
•Can be more dangerous than animal bite
•Human bites have increased risk of infection -
due to microbes present in the mouth
•Risk of injury to tendons and joints also
present
•Common among children

15. Symptoms
•Puncture wounds on skin
•Skin Breaks
•Cuts
•Bleeding

16. Treatment
•Calm the victim
•If bleeding is severe, apply pressure - stop
bleeding
•Wash the wound - use a mild soap - clean the
wound in running water for 3-5 min
•Apply an antibiotic cream - Dress the wound
using sterile gauze
•Keep the wounded part in a slightly raised
position
•Get medical attention immediately –T.T PRN

17. All human bites must be evaluated in hospital
especially in case of:
•Broken skin
•Redness
•Swelling
•Pain
•Pus formation
•If near eyes/on the face
•If victim has weak immune system (as in AIDS,
Cancer)

18. END