PROTECTION FROM PEST STINGS AND BITES

HOW CAN WE PROTECT OURSELVES FROM PEST STINGS AND BITES?

If you are stung:

1.  The stinger should be removed as soon as possibleby scraping the back of a credit card or other straight edged object across the stinger. DO NOT use tweezers to pull out the stingerbecause that may release more venom. Don’t try to suck the poison out.  

2.  Wash thoroughly with soap and water to avoid infection. Watch for signs of infection, such as increased redness or red streaking along your skin, over the next several days.

3.  Place an ice pack, wet compress, or ice wrapped in a cloth on the site of the sting for 10 minutes, then off for 10 minutes.

4.   Take an antihistamine or apply a cream that reduces itching (Calamine, Benadryl, Calendula ointment) if the bite itches. You can also use a paste made of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water.

Pyrethum spray can help soothe the area after a bite or sting.  

WHO IS LIKELY TO BITE OR STING US?                                          

A number of insects, including bees, spiders, fleas, hornets, wasps, and mosquitoes can bite or sting. 

WHY DO SOME BITES STING WHILE OTHERS ITCH?

Some bites and stings cause itching; others cause pain. The itching and pain occur because the insect has injected venom or another irritating substance into your skin, which causes an allergic reaction. In most cases, this reaction is bothersome but not dangerous. 

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE ITCH OR PAIN TO GO AWAY?

Redness, minor swelling, pain, or itching at the site of the bite generally go away within 3 to 7 days with no treatment, even if the affected area is large.

WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE A SEVERE REACTION TO AN INSECT BITE?

A severe reaction can cause anaphylaxis, resulting in shortness of breath and tightening of your throat. Anaphylaxis can be fatal, even on the first reaction. Severe reactions can affect the whole body and may occur in minutes. This is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY AND YOU SHOULD CALL 9-1-1. Another type of allergic reaction is called angioedema, which involves swelling throughout your body, especially the face, lips, and around the eyes. More people have allergic reactions to stinging insects than to biting insects.

If you know that you have a serious allergy to an insect, carry an emergency epinephrine kit, or EpI-pen. Your doctor can prescribe one. If you have had a reaction in the past, make sure that friends and family members know how to use an Epi-pen. Wear a medical ID bracelet. For those with allergies, venom immunotherapy is up to 98% effective in preventing sting anaphylaxis. 

HOW CAN I TELL IF I AM HAVING A SEVERE REACTION TO A BITE OR STING?

In serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), the most common symptoms are

Difficulty breathing                          Dizziness                              Nausea

Fever                                                  Muscle spasms                    Loss of consciousness

 SHOULD I GO TO A DOCTOR OR TREAT MYSELF?

Seek Medical Help Immediatelyif there is:

·      A severe allergic reaction

·      Great Swelling which spreads rapidly

·      The lips tongue or joints become swollen

·      A sting in the mouth or throat

·      Difficulty breathing

·      Wheezing

·      Palpitation of the heart

·      Unbearable pain or itch

·      Noticeable confusion or faintness

HOW WOULD I KNOW IF I HAVE BEEN BITTEN BY A TICK? 

You should always check yourself for ticks after being outdoors in a wooded area, or walking through tall grass. Ticks like warm, dark paces, so check all over your body. They can be as small as the period on the end of this sentence, so you may want to use a magnifying glass.

If you have been bitten by a tick and it is attached to you, remove it as quickly as possible. Use a pair of tweezers to grab the tick near its head and pull — do not twist, as this can cause the head to pop off and remain attached to your skin. Don't leave any part of its head or body on you. If you cannot get the head out, it is probably buried under your skin. If so, contact a doctor immediately, and they should be able to remove it.

Keep an eye on the bite area. If you see a rash in a bull's-eye pattern (erythema migrans), it is a sign of Lyme disease. Go to a doctor immediately. 

WHICH HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES RELIEVE INSECT BITES AND STINGS?

Most of these Homeopathic medicines provide almost instant relief from insect bites and stings:

Aconitum napellus

Use if the person feels fearful or panicked after being stung.  Shock and nervousness. Cutting, stabbing or burning pain. Swelling, tingling, or numbness. Use immediately, while symptoms are intense, and followed by another remedy as indicated.

Apis mellifica

Rapid swelling, looks red and angry, with stinging and burning pain. Bite or bee stings causes puffy, tender swelling that is pink or red and hot to the touch. Relieved by cold or cool applications. insect bites with burning or stinging pain. Pain that is worse by heat or warm applications.

Androctonus
This is the first choice for scorpion bites; otherwise, use Ledum.

Cantharis
Violent burning and smarting pains overshadow all other symptoms. For a bite or sting results in intensely burning, scalding pain. The area affected is inflamed, red and blisters may develop.

Carbolicum acidum(Phenol)
For prevention of anaphylactic shock. This is for anaphylactic reactions or collapse after bee or wasp stings, with hives all over the body and dangerous swelling of the face, tongue, and throat. Indicated in first-aid situations, while medical help is being sought. Person feels sick and weak and may have trouble breathing. Dark or reddish face that looks pale around the mouth.

Formica RufaStings from fire ants can be an awful experience. There is blistering and the affected area appears reddish. The sting results in an excruciating stinging pain. There is uncontrollable itching at the affected site. However, the sting does not result in much swelling. Formica Rufa is an effective homeopathic medicine to treat such stings. 

Hypericum
Sharp or shooting pains from a bite or sting, soothing effect on injuries to nerve-rich body areas. Use after puncture wounds, including bites and stings. Shooting pains or pains have numbness and tingling.

Lachesis
Lachesis is equally helpful against snake bites and other poisonous insect bites. This medicine is recommended in case the injury site appears bluish purple. There may be a haemorrhage, with the blood appearing few shades darker (almost black in some cases). Though Ledum and Lachesis provide great relief,getting medical assistance is still very important with poisonous bites.

Ledum palustre
Watery swellings which may look red and inflamed. For poisonous bites, itching bites or stings from mosquitoes, bees, wasps, spiders and rats. The itching is relieved by cold applications and is very sensitive to touch. Swelling extends beyond from the bite, often with a bluish tinge. The feeling of cold and numbness and aching pain. Swollen part seems cold to touch, but ice or cold water brings relief.

Staphysagria
Large bites which may itch violently with smarting, stinging pains which are worse for cold, better for warmth. When mosquito or other insect bites itch excessively or become large welts, this medicine should be given. Also used for lice and to help prevent lice.

It can be effectivelyused before (Prophylactic) as well as after the bite. 

Urtica urens
Itchy blotchy skin reactions, looks like nettle rash. Reddish blotches that burn and itch intensely, like a nettle sting after insect bites. For hives that sting and itch.

Cell Salts For Insect Bites

Ferrum phos 6X and Kali mur 6X.  Dose 5 pills dry of each, every 1- 2 hours, until there is improvement.

IS THERE A BUG SPRAY THAT CAN REPEL BUGS WITHOUT USING DEET? 

              

Yes. There is a natural herbal bug spray you can make at home. The recipe follows below.

BUG SPRAY

Combine these oils together in water and spray area or arms/legs. Remember to not spray into face. Reapply as needed during exposure.

• 2 drop Ginger
• 8 drops Vetiver
• 6 drops Lavender
• 4 drops Lemon
• 3 drops Wormwood oil (if you can’t find wormwood oil, use a tincture)

IS THERE A WAY TO PREVENT BUGS FROM BITING OR STINGING YOU?

Here are some prevention tips:

• Cover your head. Wear a full brimmed hat to help shield your neck as well.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Tuck pant cuffs into socks. This helps protect your ankles, a common spot for bites or stings.
• Check your clothes and hair periodically for bugs.
• Use protective netting when sleeping or eating outdoors.

• Try not to provoke insects. Avoid rapid, jerky movements around insect hives or nests.
• Avoid perfumes, lotions, and scented soaps.
• Avoid areas where you know insects are.
• Use insect repellants and protective clothing.
• Be careful when eating outdoors, especially with sweet drinks (such as sodas), or in areas near garbage cans.
• Make sure you have screens on all windows.
• Keep mosquito eggs from hatching by removing standing water.
• Avoid being outside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Use citronella, linalool, and geraniol candles. In one study, citronella candles reduced the number of female mosquitoes caught in traps by 35%; linalool candles reduced female mosquitoes by 65%; and geraniol candles reduced female mosquitoes by 82%. https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/14351712_Jerry_Butler

Some essential oils may help repel insects. Dilute the oil before applying it to your skin. Never apply pure essential oils directly. Avoid contact with your eyes. These oils include:

·      Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)

·      Clove (Eugenia caryophyllata)

·      Citronella (Cymbopogon spp.)

·      Neem oil or cream (Azadirachta indica)

·      Camphor and menthol gels

WHICH HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES HELP TO PREVENT BUGS FROM BITING YOU?

Not all of us react in the same way when we are bitten. Homeopathy is precisely the modality that addresses this difference in susceptibility. So seeing your homeopath to get a personalized solution is of course ideal, but in the area of insect bites, homeopathy also has first aid solutions that work for many people and there are remedies that can be used as a preventative.

Here are the most common preventatives:

1   Ledum 200C taken once per week. Start it one week before going out into the forests or  

countryside and continue once per week until you’re back in the city, or there are no more bugs. You may still be bitten, but not notice the bites, or you are no longer bitten at all.

2   Pulex 30C is especially helpful for blackflies, in case the Ledum doesn’t have a sufficient protective effect. You would take it daily upon rising when blackflies are around.

3   Staphysagria 200C weekly can be an alternative for prevention of mosquito or blackfly bites, when Ledum doesn’t seem to protect sufficiently.

4  Apis 30C is among several homeopathic remedies that can be used as a first aid solution after someone has been bitten. It is recommended for really badly red and swollen reaction to bites, and should be taken every 4-6 hours at first and less as the person is feeling better.

5   Urtica Urens 30C can be used when someone gets an itchy nettle-like rash after they have been bitten. This remedy can also be found as a homeopathic salve to put on itchy mosquito bites.

6   Rhus Tox 30C is the remedy when the itchiness is especially bad at night in bed. It is also a remedy when there are flu-like symptoms, with aching all over that improves from moving around, or taking a hot shower. These symptoms may come on after a tick bite and together with Ledum, this remedy can be helpful in the early prevention of Lyme disease.

Homeopathic remedies do not interfere with any medication that you may be taking and are completely safe for people of all ages, including infants and elderly.