Don’t let biting spiders and insects spoil your summer fun
Here are some tips from California Poison Control System on preventing poisonous bites.
Many spiders and insects, as well as various critters who also call California home, can turn summer fun into a summer bummer if you’re bitten says California Poison Control System.
Spider bites, such as those from a black widow, can cause symptoms ranging from uncomfortable to severe. The uncomfortable symptoms, such as pain and itching, can be treated at home by cleaning the site with soap and water and using an ice pack to reduce pain. The severe symptoms, such as extreme discomfort, spreading local redness accompanied by pain, and drainage from the bite site are a call to go to an emergency room.
Other insect bites that might require being seen by a physician include mosquito bites which can carry West Nile Virus and whose symptoms include fever, headaches, and nausea. Tick bites can carry Lyme disease and symptoms include fever, rash, or vomiting.
“Most of the time, bites cause local skin reactions such as itchiness, slight, pain, swelling, or redness,” said Dr. Rais Vohra, Medical Director for the Fresno/Madera Division of CPCS. “But sometimes, if you are allergic to the venom, the bites can cause a severe reaction called anaphylaxis. This is a life-threatening emergency, and you need to immediately call 911 and get medical help.”
An Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America study found that anaphylaxis is more common than thought in the U.S., occurring in about one in 50 Americans. What’s more, according to Informed Health, anaphylactic shock, a particularly severe form of anaphylaxis, can be fatal — killing approximately 1 to 3 million people worldwide annually.
Since you’re more likely to be bitten when you’re outdoors, you should take a few simple precautions to help you prevent poisonous bites.
Precautions to take when outdoors
• Whenever possible, keep your distance.
• If you’re going outdoors, apply insect repellants containing DEET to all exposed skin.
• Wear protective clothing if around grassy areas or for yard work, including hats, long sleeves and pants, gloves, and closed-toe shoes.
How to prevent spider bites when indoors
• Remove any spider webs and spiders you see.
• Keep cribs and beds as far from walls as possible.
• Dust and vacuum around windows, corners of rooms, under furniture, and in storage areas.
• Clean and get rid of clutter in the basement, attic, garage, storage, and closets in and around your home.
• Shake out clothing, shoes, and hats that you have not worn for a while before putting them on.
If you have any questions about what to do if you’re bitten, call the Poison Hotline at (800) 222-1222.
Click here for more information about poisonous bites, including rattlesnakes.
About CPCS
Call Poison Control at (800) 222-1222 (number is the same in all states) for questions about poison encounters. Trained pharmacists, nurses and other providers are available to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is free, confidential and interpreters are available. Get weekly tips about safety by texting TIPS to 20121 for English or texting PUNTOS to 20121 for Spanish. Follow CPCS on Facebook and on Twitter @poisoninfo. CPCS is part of the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy and is responsible to the California Emergency Medical Services Authority.
