When to Go to an ER for: Bites and Stings
Generally speaking, bites and stings from insects are usually quite harmless and are common especially when we are out and about outdoors. In most cases if one is bitten or stung by an insect, apart from the initial pain, there is usually not any other severe effects to worry about mostly just some swelling and itching. However, if one is bitten or stung by an insect that they are allergic to, they could suffer a severe allergic reaction and in such cases one should look to visit an ER as soon as possible, with FrontlineER.com being the best option out there. The same is the case if one is bitten or stung by an insect that is known to spread serious diseases such as West Nile virus among others. Bites from other animals on the other hand are usually to be taken seriously as they may lead to subsequent infections that may be life-threatening. This is not to say that all animal bites are emergencies, as there are cases that may be more like a scary experience than an emergency. It is therefore important to know the situations that warrant an ER visit and those that can be safely handled at home so that you take the necessary steps. To help with that, this article will look to highlight instances where bites and stings should lead to a visit to an ER.
Starting with insect bites and stings, if you suffer a severe allergic reaction from them, then you should ensure that you head over to an ER as soon as possible to be assessed and treated. The symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include swollen throat, tongue and lips, difficulty breathing, severe rashes and hives nausea as well as vomiting. Cases of severe allergic reactions should always be taken seriously as anaphylactic shock as it is called in more professional circles is potentially life-threatening, as per the subject matter experts over at FrontlineER.com. Another instance when an insect bite or sting should lead to a visit to an ER is if you develop a rash that is target or donut-shaped after getting bitten by a tick. This is usually a sign of Lyme disease, which should be taken seriously and one should head over to an ER for treatment as soon as possible. If you also develop a fever as well as a red or black rash that is spotty and spreads, one should also head over to an ER as soon as they can. This is because this is a sign of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a bacterial infection carried by ticks that should be taken seriously and treated immediately.
Another instance when one should head over to an ER as soon as possible following a bite or sting is if they have been bitten or stung by a poisonous animal. This could be a bite from a poisonous spider, scorpion, snake among others. When it comes to snakes, the subject matter experts over at FrontlineER.com recommend that one should seek immediate medical attention by visiting an ER unless they are certain that the snake that has bitten them isn’t poisonous. If you are also stung by a poisonous spider or scorpion, you should visit an ER as soon as possible. Some of the red flags to look out for after a bite or sting from a poisonous spider or scorpion include sever vomiting, drainage from the bite, severe pain at the bite or sting location as well as anywhere else in the body, severe cramping as well as reddening and warmth of the area around the sting or bite area. Getting stung or bitten by any poisonous animal should lead to an immediate visit to an ER as this, as you can imagine, is a life-threatening situation.
Moving on to bites by other animals, another instance that should lead to an immediate visit to an ER is if one suffers from a bite on the joints, hand or face. These areas are very sensitive, and as such bites here should be taken seriously to avoid any underlying damage and infection. for instance, a bite on the joint can lead to one loosing functionality of the affected joint if not attended to immediately. As per the subject matter experts over at FrontlineER.com, it is also important to head over to an ER if one is bitten by a wild animal, a domestic animal that has gone wild, or by livestock. This is because bites from such animals comes with an increased risk of rabies or tetanus which is potentially life-threatening. Such instances of bites should therefore be taken seriously. The same applies to bites from domestic cats and dogs that break the skin. This is done as a precaution to avoid infection from ensuing. If the bite is severe and there is lots of bleeding, then a visit to an ER also necessary.
Bites and stings should always be taken seriously as they may have some very severe consequences. You should therefore keep the above signs in mind and visit an ER as soon as possible when you present with any of them, with FrontlineER.com being the best place around to visit.
