Knowing what to do when someone cuts themselves or fractures a bone and not relying on witchcraft but solid first aid actions. Venomous snake bites can produce an array of symptoms, including localized pain and swelling, convulsions, nausea, and even paralysis. First aid steps you can take after a snake bite occurs include , remaining calm, and immobilizing the affected area. Seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage and keep the person calm and as still as possible until medical help arrives. Avoid washing the bite area because any venom left on the skin can help identify the snake. DO NOT apply a tourniquet, cut the wound or attempt to suck the venom out.

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To identify a snake bite, consider the following general symptoms:

• two puncture wounds.

• swelling and redness around the wounds.

• pain at the bite site.

• difficulty breathing.

• vomiting and nausea.

• blurred vision.

• sweating and salivating.

• numbness in the face and limbs.

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There are also several outdated first aid techniques that are now believed to be unhelpful or even harmful:

• Do not use a tourniquet.

• Do not cut into the snake bite.

• Do not use a cold compress on the bite.

• Do not give the person any medications unless directed by a doctor.

• Do not raise the area of the bite above the victim’s heart.

• Do not attempt to suck the venom out by mouth.

• Do not use a pump suction device. These devices were formerly recommended for pumping out snake venom, but it's now believed that they are more likely to do harm than good.

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The most important thing to do for a snake bite is to get emergency medical help as soon as possible. A doctor will evaluate the victim to decide on a specific course of treatment. In some cases, a bite from a venomous snake is not life-threatening. The severity depends on the location of the bite and the age and health of the victim. If the bite is not serious, the doctor may simply clean the wound and give the victim a tetanus vaccine.

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If the situation is life threatening, the doctor may administer antivenom. This is a substance created with snake venom to counter the snake bite symptoms. It’s injected into the victim. The sooner the antivenom is used, the more effective it will be.

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Insect Bites

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• Stings and bites from insects are common. They often result in redness and swelling in the injured area. Sometimes a sting or bite can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction or transmit pathogens (viruses, bacteria or parasites, for example) to humans.

• Most insects do not usually attack humans unless they are provoked. Many bites and stings are defensive. Insects sting to protect their hives or nests or when incidentally touched or disturbed (so hives and nests should not be disturbed or approached).

• A sting or bite injects venom composed of proteins and other substances that may trigger an allergic reaction in the victim. The sting also causes redness and swelling at the site of the sting.

• Bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, and fire ants are members of the Hymenoptera family. Bites or stings from these species may cause serious reactions in people who are allergic to them. Death from bee stings is 3 to 4 times more common than death from snake bites. Bees, wasps, and fire ants differ in how they inflict injury.

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Typically, most mosquitoes do not cause significant illnesses or allergic reactions unless they convey "vectors," or pathogenic microorganisms that actually live within the mosquitoes. For instance: 

• malaria is caused by an organism that spends part of its life cycle in a particular species of mosquitoes.

• West Nile virus is another disease spread by a mosquito. Various mosquitoes spread other viral diseases such as

• equine encephalitis;

• Zika virus (suspected of causing microcephaly);

• dengue; and

• yellow fever to humans and other animals.

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Other types of insects or bugs that bite for a blood meal and diseases that are possibly transmitted are as follows:

• Lice bites can transmit epidemic relapsing fever, caused by spirochetes (bacteria).

• Leishmaniasis, caused by the protozoan Leishmania, is carried by a sand fly bite.

• Sleeping sickness in humans and a group of cattle diseases that are widespread in Africa, and known as, are caused by protozoan trypanosomes transmitted by the bites of tsetse flies.

• Bacteria-caused diseases tularemia can be spread by deer fly bites, the bubonic plague by fleas, and the epidemic typhus rickettsia by lice.

• Ticks (arachnids) can transmit Lyme disease and several other illnesses through their bites; ticks bite so they can obtain a blood meal.

• Other arachnids (bugs) such as chiggers, bedbugs, and mites typically cause self-limited localized itchiness and occasional swelling.

• Serious bites from spiders (arachnids), which are not insects, can be from the black widow or brown recluse spiders; the spiders bite usually as a defense mechanism.

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Other insects and bugs can transmit diseases by simply transferring pathogens like Salmonella spp by contact. For example, in unsanitary conditions, the common housefly can play an incidental role in the spread of human intestinal infections (such as typhoid, bacillary and amebic dysentery) by contamination of human food as it lands and "walks" over foods after previously "walking" on contaminated items like feces.

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Insect Bites Home Remedies

 

Treatment depends on the type of reaction to the bite or sting. If there is only redness and pain at the site of the bite, application of ice is adequate treatment. Clean the area with soap and water to remove contaminated particles left behind by some insects (such as mosquitoes). These particles may further contaminate the wound if not removed. Refrain from scratching the bite or sting area because this may cause the skin to break down and an infection to form. Intermittent cold packs or ice may reduce swelling.

You may treat itching at the site of the bite with an over-the-counter antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) in cream or pill form. Calamine lotion also helps relieve the itching.

Emergency treatment at home for more serious allergic reactions is available. People who have a history of severe reactions to bites or stings may have been prescribed an anaphylaxis kit (n kit). The kit contains an epinephrine injector (you give yourself an injection), tourniquet, and an antihistamine. The kit should be used according to the doctor's instructions. The treatment should be followed by an evaluation in an emergency department to be sure the person recovers completely.

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Treatment for serious reactions to stings or bites should be done in the emergency department. Treatment may begin with epinephrine (subcutaneous); diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and steroids (drugs in the cortisone family) are also usually given IV. Oral antibiotics may be given for infected bite wounds. For seriously ill people, an IV will be started, oxygen given, and a heart monitor used until the symptoms have improved with medications.

For those bites and stings that lead to transmission of pathogenic organisms, the next step is to see health care professionals to obtain a definitive diagnosis so appropriate treatment(s) may be done. 

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Cuts, abrasions and bruises

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Healing cuts, scrapes (abrasions) and bruises - the best treatment for the injury, tetanus shots, signs of infection in the wound and when to see a doctor.

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Wounds comprise injuries that break or remove the skin (such as cuts and abrasions). Most small wounds can be treated successfully at home. The aim of first aid is to promote healing and to minimise the risk of infection.

Large wounds or severe bleeding need immediate medical attention as blood loss can lead to falling blood pressure and shock.

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Get help immediately if

• The wound is large or deep and bleeding cannot be controlled after 10 minutes of applying pressure

• The person has lost of lot blood, is drowsy or pale

• There is numbness or weakness in the limb beyond the wound

• There is something stuck in the wound (do not try to remove the object).

• The person cannot move his fingers or toes

• Stitches are required

• The wound is on the face or neck

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Arterial Bleeding

Arterial bleeding, depending on where it is situated is hard or fairly easy to deal with but is a serious condition that needs immediate attention. The aim is to get the bleeding under control and get the person to the nearest medical facility that can provide the necessary treatment. With this type of bleeding, the blood is typically bright red to yellowish in colour, due to the high degree of oxygenation. Blood typically exits the wound in spurts, rather than in a steady flow. Use direct pressure on an artery along with elevation and direct pressure on the wound. There are specific major arteries in the body where pressure should be placed . When you apply pressure to an artery, you stop bleeding by pushing the artery against bone. Place a sterile bandage or clean cloth on the wound. Press the bandage firmly with your palm to control bleeding. Apply constant pressure until the bleeding stops. Maintain pressure by binding the wound with a thick bandage or a piece of clean cloth.

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