Type of Bite/Sting |
Clinical Presentation |
Management/Guidance |
Insect Bites/Stings (e.g., bees, wasps, mosquitoes) |
- Local itching, redness, swelling
- In severe cases: anaphylaxis (rare)
|
- For mild cases: cold compress, antihistamines, topical corticosteroids
- If signs of infection (e.g., pus, increased redness): antibiotics
- For anaphylaxis: emergency care with adrenaline injection, antihistamines, and steroids
- Preventive advice on insect repellent and avoidance measures
|
Tick Bites |
- Local redness, potential tick embedded in the skin
- Concern about Lyme disease (erythema migrans, flu-like symptoms)
|
- Remove tick with tweezers
- Monitor for signs of Lyme disease (erythema migrans)
- If erythema migrans or Lyme disease suspected: prescribe doxycycline (or amoxicillin in children or pregnant women)
|
Human Bites |
- Puncture wounds, risk of infection
- Swelling, redness, or discharge at the site
|
- Immediate cleaning with soap and water
- Prescribe prophylactic antibiotics (e.g., co-amoxiclav)
- If signs of infection: escalate care for intravenous antibiotics
- Tetanus vaccine if not up to date
|
Animal Bites (e.g., dog, cat) |
- Local tissue damage, swelling, redness
- Risk of infection (especially with cat bites due to deep punctures)
|
- Clean wound thoroughly with soap and water
- Prescribe antibiotics (e.g., co-amoxiclav) for deep or puncture wounds or if infection is present
- Consider tetanus prophylaxis
- Rabies prophylaxis if the bite is from a high-risk area or animal
|
Spider Bites |
- Localized pain, swelling, redness
- Rare systemic symptoms (e.g., abdominal pain, muscle cramps)
|
- For mild cases: cold compress, analgesia
- For severe reactions: antihistamines or corticosteroids
- If systemic symptoms present: hospitalization for antivenom (if available) and supportive care
|
Jellyfish Stings |
- Burning pain, redness, welts
- Rarely, systemic symptoms (e.g., breathing difficulties, heart problems)
|
- Rinse the area with seawater (not fresh water)
- Use heat (immersion in hot water) to reduce pain
- If systemic symptoms: seek emergency medical attention
|