They may not seem like one of the biggest hazards to your health during the summer, but insect bites and stings can be incredibly annoying and quite painful. In some extreme cases, they can be very dangerous.
The best way to learn how to treat stings and bites, as well as to deal with any incidents of anaphylactic shock in people who have allergies, is to undergo first aid training. However, you can also learn a few of the basics before you start your training course.
Follow these tips for treating insect bites and stings:
• If you or someone you know is stung by a bee, you should carefully scrape out the stinger and the venomous sac the bee leaves just under the skin using an implement with a hard edge. Try not to puncture the sac by squeezing it with tweezers, as this will only spread the venom around.
• Most insect bites can be treated by washing the affected area and placing a cold compress on it
• Mild painkillers can be taken to soothe the pain of an insect bite
• To prevent itching and swelling, taking an antihistamine tablet or using an antihistamine cream can be really helpful.
