Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Insect Bites and Stings
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
An insect bite refers to a puncture wound in the skin caused by an insect when it stings or bites a human.
What are the causes and risks of the injury?
Insects are found everywhere, even in cities. The areas of highest risk are those with shrubbery or trees. Cluttered or unclean areas also pose a risk. Insects that are responsible for numerous visits to emergency departments in North America include the following:
Symptoms & Signs
What are the signs and symptoms of the injury?
Following are some of the signs and symptoms:
Diagnosis & Tests
How is the injury recognized?
Diagnosis of an insect bite begins with a medical history and physical exam. Most of the time, diagnosis is clear because the person sees the insect when it bites. However, the red, raised area associated with a sting or a bite can appear much later without the person noticing the insect. These bites are much more difficult to diagnose since the type of insect is unknown. However, the size and location of the bite will give an indication of possible sources of the bite.
Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the injury?
Insects are the largest population of animals in the world. It is impossible to avoid them completely, but here are some helpful measures:
Treatment & Monitoring
What are the treatments for the injury?
Treatment for tick bites is as follows:
If the sting appears to have been made by a honeybee, try to remove the sting sac. This can be scraped out of the wound with a fingernail or plastic card. Care should be taken not to pinch the sting sac with fingers or tweezers. This will cause more venom to be released.
Other steps that should be taken after a bite or sting are as follows:
Bites by black widow or brown recluse spiders require immediate
medical attention because the venom kills the skin tissue around the bite.
Also, it is important that the person have an up-to-date
Insect bites or stings can cause anaphylaxis in some people. This is a potentially life-threatening condition that causes breathing difficulties and possible cardiac arrest. If a person appears to be having trouble breathing, call for medical help immediately. In the meantime, keep the person's airway open, and do not let the individual lie down. If he or she carries injectable medicine for treatment of anaphylaxis, it should be given right away. If the person stops breathing, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, at once.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Medicines used to treat insect bites or stings may cause drowsiness and other minor side effects.
What happens after treatment for the injury?
Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
Attribution
Author:James Broomfield, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Ballenberg, Sally, BS
Edit Date:08/23/01
Reviewer:Sandy Keefe, RN, MSN
Date Reviewed:08/22/01