Bites

Bites can range from itchy to painful to life

threatening. And you needn't live out in the

wilderness to run the risk of getting one. In fact,

one of the most dangerous kinds of bites can be

inflicted in your very own home--a bite from a

fellow human being! (Doctors agree that humans

have more bacteria in their mouths than most wild

animals, no matter how often we brush our teeth.)

Many bites can be treated at home, although

others, like a human bite, require an immediate visit

to the doctor or emergency room. The trick is

distinguishing the dangerous from the benign.

The following is a guide to treating the most

common types of bites, as well as a few tips on how

to avoid getting bitten in the first place. Of course,

if you have had a run-in with a creature that you

suspect is dangerous, whether or not it is discussed

here, don't attempt self-treatment. See a doctor

without delay. The same advice holds true if you

experience any signs of illness (such as fever, loss

of consciousness, nausea, dizziness, or vomiting)

following a bite.

Ice an itch.

Itchy mosquito bites may benefit from an ice-cold

compress, according to Karl Singer, M.D., F.P., I.M.

, a physician in Exeter, New Hampshire. "Ice

decreases the inflammation and stops the pain and

itching," he says. He recommends icing the bite for

20 minutes at a time every few hours. The same

goes for nonpoisonous spider bites, which can also

leave an itchy welt.

Try an old fail-safe.

When you had a mosquito bite as a child, your

mother probably used calamine lotion--a thin,

chalky, pink liquid--to stop the itch. Sold over the

counter (and quite economical, too, compared with

alternatives such as hydrocortisone), it is just as

effective today, says Michael R. Stefan, M.D., a

physician specializing in internal medicine in Los

Angeles.

Give an antihistamine a try.

Over-the-counter antihistamines can also help an

itchy bite, since the itch is really a mild allergic

reaction, says Singer. Of course, antihistamines

should not be used by sensitive individuals,

pregnant women, people with allergies to

ingredients in the products, or those who are taking

conflicting medications. Check with your doctor or

pharmacist if you are in doubt.

Recognize the signs of a severe reaction.

The bite from a venomous spider can cause a severe

allergic reaction. It is important, therefore, to

recognize the signs of an allergic reaction before it

is too late, according to Lawrence H. Bernstein, M.

D., a family physician in Storrs, Connecticut.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis, or severe allergic

reaction, include difficulty breathing, hives all over

the body, and loss of consciousness. Anyone

experiencing these warning signals should be

rushed to the nearest emergency room, he says.

Hospital physicians usually treat anaphylaxis with

steroids, adrenaline, and antihistamines.

Don't panic if you've been bitten by a tick.

Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that can cause

chills, fever, headache, and other complications,

has received lots of play in the media of late. But

not all ticks carry the disease, and not every Lymecarrying

tick will transmit it to you if you happen to

be bitten. Generally, a tick must remain on the skin

for 24 to 48 hours in order to transmit the organism

that causes Lyme disease, according to Bernstein.

"The best thing to do, if you're in a place where

there might be ticks, is to check yourself on a daily

basis," he says. If you remove a tick from your skin

(using the directions that follow), Bernstein

recommends saving it in a small jar of alcohol, so

that if a suspicious infection develops, the tick can

be analyzed for Lyme disease. There is no need to

see a doctor unless you notice any signs of swelling

or redness around the bite (a sign of infection), a

bull's-eye-shaped rash (often a symptom of Lyme

disease), a fever, or a skin rash, Bernstein says.

Remove ticks with care.

To remove a tick from your skin, grasp the insect's

mouthparts with tweezers as close as possible to

your skin and slowly pull straight upward. Do not

attempt to pull the tick's body or head, as it may

break off, leaving the mouthparts underneath your

skin, Bernstein says. Use the tweezers to remove

any remaining parts of the tick. Next, apply a local

antiseptic, such as alcohol or an antibiotic ointment,

to the bite.

Stop the bleeding.

If an animal bite has caused severe bleeding, apply

pressure to the area with the palm of your hand,

says Michael O. Fleming, M.D., F.A.A.F.P., a

family physician in Shreveport, Louisiana. If the

wound is large, tie a scarf, towel, or T-shirt tightly

around the site to create pressure over a larger area

(not tightly enough to cut off circulation).

Immobilize the area. If the bite is on a limb, elevate

the limb above the level of the heart. See a

physician pronto.

Don't treat a puncture like a scratch.

A bite that leaves a scratch but doesn't really break

the skin may simply be washed with soap and water,

then covered with an antibacterial cream or

ointment. Not so for a bite that breaks or punctures

the skin, according to Bernstein. The latter needs

the expertise of a doctor, he says. "You need to

establish whether the animal is rabid or not," he

advises. "Observe the animal carefully. With wild

animals, if the animal is particularly placid--for

example, if you can walk up to a squirrel and feed it-

-there's something wrong with that animal. It's sick.

" He suggests calling a doctor or veterinarian to

find out if there have been any reported outbreaks

of rabies in wild or domestic animals in your area.

Get a tetanus booster.

If you've been bitten by a wild or domestic animal

and the bite has broken the skin, it's probably wise

to contact your doctor to see if you need a tetanus

booster shot (whether or not you need one depends,

in part, on the type of wound and the timing of your

last tetanus shot). "Animal bites and human bites

are easily infected," Fleming says. "All animals

have a very large number of bacteria that live in

their mouths." He also advises watching for signs

of infection, such as redness and swelling.

Report an animal to the authorities.

If you've been bitten by an animal in your

community, call your local Society for the

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) or animal

catcher (check your local phone directory for the

number) to report the incident. If the animal was

wild or a stray, the proper agency may want to

track it down and capture it for observation,

especially if rabies is suspected. If the animal

belongs to a neighbor, report it to the pet's owner,

and, if you choose, to the authorities (many

communities have laws concerning pet bites).

Don't get bitten in the first place.

Perhaps the most sensible way to treat a bite is in

advance--before you get bitten--Stefan says. Stay

away from wild animals, even if they let you

approach, and don't pester snakes, spiders, bees, or

anything else that looks threatening. "Most animals

and insects will not attack you unless you are

bothering them," he says. Even animals that do not

look threatening, such as ground squirrels, may be

trouble, Stefan adds, since they may carry fleas that

can transmit diseases. Insect and tick repellents

may also help you avoid bites when spending long

periods of time outdoors.

Know your local fauna.

It's best to keep abreast of the insects and animals

in your area, so that you know what to watch out

for. For example, you may live in an area where

there has been an outbreak of rabies among

domestic animals or a large number of Lymecarrying

ticks, according to Richard E. Hannigan,

M.D., an internist in private practice in Helotes,

Texas. Likewise, you should know if rattlesnakes,

poisonous spiders, or scorpions are likely to take up

residence around your neighborhood. If you live in

an area, such as the Southwest, that is home to

poisonous snakes and scorpions, learn how to

recognize them by sight and avoid them like the

plague, Hannigan recommends.

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Bites