Bites from bees can be very painful and can cause a massive allergic reaction known as Anaplytia shock.What can be done as a first aid for insect stings?
Signs & symptoms
- This shock may occur within a few seconds to minutes.
- His chest feel tight and will have difficulty in breathing.
- His face may swell up.
- He may become unconscious.
Treatment
- Remove the sting
- If he develops shock, lay him on his back. Raise the feet, keep, the head low and turn him one side if he vomits.
- Keep him warm using blanket or rug
- Loosen tight clothing around the neck and waist.
- Do not give anything to drink/eat
- Shift him to the hospital
Foreign body in eye
Wings of insects, coal dust from steam engines, metal pieces from lathes, loose eye lashes get lodged under the eyelids. They may get lodged in the eye ball also.
Management
- A void rubbing the eye.
- Seat the casualty so that light falls on the eye. Pull the lower lid down if the F.B (Foreign Body) is floating, remove it with a narrow moist swab or corner of hand kerchief twisted to a fine point.
- If the foreign body is under the upper eye lid, ask the casualty to keep clean water in the hand and blink briskly in the water.
If unsuccessful
- Pull the upper lid forward and upward (fold) then using moist swab remove the foreign body.
Embedded foreign body
- If the foreign body is embedded in the eye particularly at the cornea (the black of the eye) do not touch it, apply a soft pad bandage to the eye and take the casualty to the hospital.
Penetrating foreign body
- Apply the pad; take the casualty to the hospital.
- When corrosive acid, alkali or juices from plants are suspected, blink the eyelids under water a number of times or flushing the eye using water is the best first aid.
- Then apply the pad and take the casualty to the hospital.
To know more about first aid click here
Read more on World health organisation’s tips on Medical kit and toilet items
K K Pradeep
Tejus crisis and Trauma Foundation
