Bug Bites and Stings (cont.)
What's the best way to remove a bee stinger?
It's best to scrape a stinger
away in a side-to-side motion with a straight-edged object like a credit card.
Don't use tweezers because it may push more venom into the skin. After removing
a stinger, wash the area with soap and water. You can apply ice or another cold
compress to help reduce swelling.
What should I do if I find a tick on me or my child?
Wearing light-colored
clothing makes it easier to spot ticks. Check for ticks after outdoor
activities. If you find a tick, remove it with tweezers. Grasp the tick as close
to the skin as possible and pull it straight out. Then drop it in a plastic bag,
seal it up, and throw it away. Early removal of a tick is important because a
tick generally has to be on the skin for 36 hours to transmit Lyme disease.
People who want to get a tick tested for disease or other information could
check with their local health departments to see if they offer tick testing.
After removing a tick, you can cleanse the area of the tick bite with
antiseptic, such as rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
What can be done for itching and pain from bites and stings?
Oral OTC
antihistamines can bring itch relief. Oral OTC drugs, such as ibuprofen and
acetaminophen, can provide relief of pain from bites and stings.
In addition, there are many topical OTC drugs that are applied to the skin
and can provide itch and pain relief. Some of these topical OTC drugs are
labeled as "external analgesics" or "topical analgesics." They contain
ingredients such as hydrocortisone, pramoxine, and lidocaine. There are also
topical OTC drugs labeled as "skin protectants" that provide itch relief for
insect bites and stings. These products contain ingredients such as colloidal
oatmeal and sodium bicarbonate.
Keep kids' nails short. If they scratch the area and break the skin, it can
lead to a bacterial infection that will require treatment with antibiotics.
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