In
the Spotlight
 How
To Play It Safe This Summer!
The Buzz on Bees, What about Animal Bites?
& Safe Swimming
By
Lee Philips, M.D.
PersonalMD.Com
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Bee
Sting Tips
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For
stings causing itch, irritation, redness and swelling at the
sting site, the following may be useful:
- Apply
ice to sting area
- Remove
the stinger a quickly as possible.
- The
longer the stinger is in the skin, the more venom is injected.
- The
method of removal is not important, scraping the stinger
with a credit card or either pulling the stinger, both will
work.
- Wash
stings with soap and water.
- Oral
Antihistamines-like Benadryl for itching Topical Steroids-hydrocortisone
cream for itching and swelling
- Carry
the emergency treatment kit Epi-pen, if you have had a previous
reaction.
For
Serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing or chest pain,
swelling of throat, tongue, face.
- Call
911
- Always
carry PersonalMD card
so that people can be alerted to your allergies to bees.
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The
Buzz on Bees
It
is estimated that 3% of people in the United States are severely
allergic to stinging insect venom. Each year 90 to 100 deaths from
sting reactions occur. It is thought many more deaths may be occurring,
mistakenly diagnosed as heart attacks, or other causes of sudden
death. Bees and other stinging insects are most active in warm weather,
late summer and early autumn.
Bees
are most active near their nests. When the weather warms up, have
your yard checked for beehives. If hives are found they should be
removed by professionals. Threatening a hive by approaching too
closely, making loud noises results in multiple stings. The bee
forces the tip of the stinger through the skin of the victim and
leaves the stinger behind. More than 50 stings increase the risk
of a serious allergic reaction in a healthy adult. However, one
sting can cause a fatal reaction in a hypersensitive person.
Africanized
honeybees can not be distinguished from European honeybees simply
by their visual appearance. Africanized honeybees are more aggressive
and are more likely to swarm if their hive is threatened. Africanized
honeybees are dangerous for another reason, because they start their
hives in atypical locations like water meters and overturned flowerpots.
The sting of the africanized honey bee sting is treated the same
as other bee stings.
Flowery
bright colors, shiny buckles and jewelry should be avoided they
attract bees. The beekeeper wears white clothing. Make sure your
arms and legs are covered. Tight-fitting clothes are best; insects
might become trapped in loose fitting clothes. Avoid perfumes, colognes,
fragrances when outside. When eating outdoors, keep food and drinks
covered. Bees are attracted to sugary foods and drinks. If possible,
drink from glasses and not cans. Many times a person will inadvertently
drink from a can that that has a bee inside and get stung in the
mouth. If stung in the mouth seek medical attention immediately.
If
an insect gets in your car, stay calm, pull over the side of the
road, stop the car, roll down the windows and let the insect fly
out of the car. If attacked, cover your face with your arms, without
swatting, and move away from the bees. If you are attacked by africanized
bees you should run for cover, usually you can outrun the bees.
If you have multiple stings you should seek medical attention.
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Animal
Bites
Children
are naturally more curious and friendly then adults and are more
likely to try to pet strange animals. Every year thousands of children
are bitten by animals.
Even
animals that we might think of as fuzzy and cute like rabbits can
bite. Any animal can become dangerous if they are eating, scared
by a noise or trying to protect their young. If you or are bitten
by a wild animal, seek immediate medical attention.
Any
animal in an underdeveloped country should be considered to have
rabies. Try to remember geographical location, and the type of animal.
Wash the bite with warm water and soap.
[Top]
Safe
Swimming
Every
year when the weather warms up, we begin to hear of children who
accidentally drown in the family pool, and many if not all are preventable.
Swimming pools are responsible for 500 drowning deaths and 3000
near drownings each year. Toddlers are especially at risk for two
reasons, because they are changing every day and often do something
unexpected.
Young
children tend not to splash or make noise when they are drowning.
There are many misconceptions about drowning. Water rings are popular,
but can slip away or loss air while they are in use. Giving your
child swimming lessons does not protect against drowning. Even a
child that knows how to swim can become confused, scared, tired
and drown. There are some simple things parent can do to protect
children. If possible, wait until your children are 5 years old
before installing a pool.
When
children are swimming an adult should always be present, and they
should receive your undivided attention. Drowning can happen quickly,
75% of children were missing less then 5 minutes. The time it takes
to answer the phone or the door. All adults who supervise the pool
should know how to swim and know CPR. A cordless phone should be
kept by the pool for emergencies. Also a "shepherds hook" and life
preserver should be kept near-by and in good condition.
A
successful pool barrier prevents a child from getting OVER, UNDER,
or THROUGH when they should not have access to the pool. The entrance
to the pool should be enclosed on all sides by a fence at least
4 feet high. There should be a self-closing, self-locking gate.
A power safety cover over the pool adds addition safety. It should
be kept closed when the pool is not in use.
[Top]
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