INSECT BITES AND STINGS

INSECTS. YOU KNOW THEY HAVE FUNDAMENTAL, environmentally beneficial
purposes, but sometimes you just can't imagine what those purposes might be - particularly when a swarm of them buzzes around your head and feasts on your blood. Some insects bite, some sting. Biting insects include mosquitoes, lice, bedbugs, fleas and flies. None of the insects in this group is poisonous.

Stinging insects include bees, and wasps. These insects inject venom when they strike. If they sting you inside the mouth or throat, if you receive multiple stings or if you develop a serious allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention. A serious allergic reaction is one that results in severe local swelling, hives, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, wheezing or other breathing problems, difficulty swallowing, or swelling of the lips, face, eyes or tongue.

Spiders, scorpions and ticks belong to a separate class altogether: arachnids. Even though all spiders inject venom when they bite, the bites of most spider native to the Unied Kingdom aren't serious. However, some spiders native to other countries, which you might encounter when you travel abroad or as an exotic pet, aren't as innocuous. Two American spiders that can cause serious reactions are brown recluse spiders (tan with a dark violin-shaped mark on the back) and black widow spiders (usually black with a red hourglass shape on its underside). Bites from tarantulas (large and hairy) and scorpions (lobster-like with a stinger on a flexible tail) can also be serious. Reactions to such bites vary according to the species. Ticks burrow their heads into the skin to suck blood. Although most ticks are benign, some transmit illnesses such as Colorado tick fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease.

BASIC BUG-BITE FIRST AID
Washing an insect bite with soap and water usually prevents infection. If a honeybee was the offending creature and it left a stinger, gently flick or scrape the stinger out with a fingernail or credit card. Do not squeeze it between fingernails or tweezers, as this could release more venom. You can neutralise bee stings, which are acidic, with an alkaline substance such as bicarbonate of soda.

For wasp stings, which are alkaline, apply vinegar or lemon juice. If a bite or sting burns, itches or swells, apply a cold compress. Sometimes just rubbing an ice cube on the spot helps. You can also use certain herbs in compress form.

For a bite from a spider or tarantula, wash the bite with soap and lots of water. To reduce circulation of the venom, lie down. If possible, position the bitten body part below the level of your heart and apply a cold compress to the bite. Do not use a tourniquet. Seek medical attention if you have a serious reaction: severe pain or numbness around the bite, skin discolouration or rash, muscle rigidity, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, an all-over sick feeling or difficulty breathing.

If you discover a tick embedded in your skin, grasp it with fingers or tweezers as close to your skin as possible and pull steadily until the tick releases its grip. Avoid using undue force or you might separate the tick's body from its head. If parts of the head or mouth remain in the skin, they can cause infection later. After you dispose of the tick, wash the bite thoroughly with soap and water and apply an antiseptic ointment. Call your doctor if you can't remove the tick or remove only part of it, or if days later you develop an infection or ulcer around the bite, fever, flu-like symptoms, skin rash or swollen glands.

DRUG TREATMENTS
Analgesics
Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, paracetamol. Function: reduce pain; all but paracetamol may also help reduce inflammation. Aspirin side effects: heartburn, indigestion, stomach irritation, mild nausea or vomiting. ibuprofen and naproxen side effects: dizziness, nausea, stomach ache, headache. Paracetamol side effects: doses higher than recommended can damage the liver and kidneys.

Antihistamines
Diphenhydramine. Function: relieves itching and hives. Side effects: drowsiness, dryness of mouth, nose and throat.

Corticosteroids
Hydrocortisone cream (Dermacort, Eurax, many others). Function: prevents further inflammation from stings. Side effects: rare.

Tranquillisers
Diazepam (Valium), others. Function: act as a sedative and relax muscle spasms after a spider bite. Side effects: clumsiness, drowsiness, dizziness; when used with alcohol, increases sedation.

Muscle Relaxants
Methocarbamol (Robaxin), others. Function: relax muscle spasms after an insect bite. Side effects: clumsiness, drowsiness, dizziness; when used with alcohol, increases sedation.

Other Drugs
Calamine and calamine with topical anaesthetics. Function: dry oozing sores and relieve itching. Side effects: allergic reactions.

HERBAL REMEDIES

HERBAL INSECT REPELLENT
Aromatic herbs can deter insects. The secret is to apply them liberally and frequently. If you can't smell this concoction any longer, it's likely that the bugs can't either. That means it's time to reapply.
6 drops eucalyptus essential oil
5 drops cedar essential oil
4 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops tea tree essential oil
3 drops citronella essential oil
3 drops lemongrass, lemon or lemon thyme essential oil
2 drops peppermint essential oil
4 tablespoons almond or other vegetable oil
Combine all ingredients, preferably in a brown glass jar. Label the jar. Apply to the skin as often as necessary. Caution: do not take internally, get in your eyes, or get near the nose of an infant or toddler.

Plantain (Plantago major, P. lanceolata)
Plantain contains a soothing, gooey substance called mucilage. Even better, this weed grows almost everywhere. Mash the fresh leaves and apply to the insect bite or sting as needed.

Aloe (Aloe vera)
Soothing and antibacterial, aloe hastens healing. Simply slice a leaf, scoop out the gel and apply to the bite or sting., or buy a commercial aloe vera gel product and use it in the same way.

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
An extract of the bark of this tree is soothing and helps shrink swollen tissue. Just pick up the fluid concentrate at a chemist and follow label instructions.

Calendula (Calendula ofcinalis)
Also known as pot or golden marigold, calendula is anti-inflammatory, mildly analgesic, antiseptic and helps heal wounds. If you grow this plant, you can rub its fresh flowers directly on a bite or sting. Or steep 1 teaspoon of dried petals in 1/4 litre of hot water for 5 minutes. Strain, cool and apply with a clean cloth. Many commercial herbal salves contain calendula.

Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia)
The essential oil of this flowering herb is anti-inflammatory and can help ease the discomfort of bites and stings. It's also one of the very few essential oils you can apply undiluted to the skin; dab it directly on the injury.

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
Allantoin, a compound in comfrey, is antiseptic and accelerates wound healing. You can crush fresh or dried leaves or root, moisten with water
and apply directly to a bite or sting. Or steep I heaped teaspoon of the dried plant in 1/4 litre of hot water for 10 minutes. Strain, cool and apply to the insect bite with a clean cloth. Many commercial herbal salves contain comfrey. Caution: do not take internally.

Tea (Camellia sinensis)
That's right, plain old antioxidant-rich tea helps shrink swollen tissues, including those caused by a bite. Just grab a tea bag, moisten it and apply to the skin.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
This antiseptic oil is good to have around when a bite or sting threatens to become infected. Simply apply undiluted tea tree oil to the bite or sting as needed. Tea tree oil also acts as a natural insect repellant, so you're less likely to get more bites.

Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia, E. purpurea)
A tincture of this immune-boosting herb can be applied to a bite or sting to numb the pain. It also helps disinfect the site of the attack. Several tribes of Native Americans used echinacea internally against venomous bites. Chemical analyses of the herb now offer a possible reason why: there's an enzyme in venom called hyaluronidase that digests the 'cement' holding our cells together. When this 'cement' is gone, the venom can spread throughout the cells. Echinacea interferes with the action of hyaluronidase. If you get bitten by a snake or poisonous spider, you could take 2 dropperfuls of echinacea tincture every 15 minutes while you're on your way to the doctor or accident and emergency room.

Kava-Kava (Piper methysticum)
This herb helps reduce anxiety and, in larger doses, eases pain and muscle spasms. If you receive a venomous spider bite that results in muscle spasms, you might want to try it. Typical dosage: up to 3 standardised capsules containing 180 to 2 10 milligrams of kavalactones. Caution: don't drive or operate heavy machinery while taking kava.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
While best known for relieving anxiety and insomnia, valerian can also ease muscle spasms. Typical dosage: up to 3 cups of tea per day, if you can tolerate the musty taste (simmer 2 teaspoons of dried root in 450 millilitres of hot water for 10 minutes); or 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons of tincture per day; or two 300- or 400-milligram capsules per day; or 150 to 300 milligrams per day of a standardised extract containing 0.8 per cent valeric acid.