When we are doing what we have to do to survive when things go haywire, additional issues arise that need attention like the treatment of insect bites and stings. This is an unfortunate scenario when you have so much else on your plate, but having the skills and supplies to remedy such a situation can get you back to where you need to be quickly, which is in a state of focus and survival.
There are a wide variety of insects and bugs that can bite or sting you. Treating an insect bite properly will remedy the situation and get you on a quick path to healing. Having the right products in your prepper first aid kit is recommended.
Different Types Of Bites And Stings You Could Experience
Mosquitoes are rampant in most locations during the summer time, and while their bites are mostly an annoyance, sometimes they can cause serious illness. Spider bites are a little more serious, and can produce symptoms like chest tightness, difficulty breathing and swelling of the throat. It will depend on which breed of spider has bitten you. If it was a brown recluse spider, it is advisable that you leave your surroundings and go to a hospital, despite how crazy a hospital would be in a grid down scenario.
You might also potentially be bitten by a tick. Some ticks carry lime disease. Their bite will turn into a rash that resembles a bulls eye. Ants can be a problem as well. Some ants like fire ants have venomous bites that can cause sharp pain and a burning sensation at the site of the bite.
Bee stings and their venom can be very harmful to those who are allergic, but only pose the threat of pain and discomfort to those who aren’t. Hornet stings are also susceptible to causing serious allergic reactions in some people. Either way, a sting from hornet can be incredibly painful.
Mite and chigger bites, while not fatal, are very unpleasant. They cause intense itching and this discomfort will continue until properly treated. Mites almost never transmit disease though. They can cause scabies though, and that can be transferred from person to person, so treating a bite is better done sooner than later.
Important Factors In Treating Insect Bites Or Stings
An important thing to remember is that if you’ve been bitten or stung by an insect, you should never itch or scratch the bite or the rash that results from a bite. Scratching it can lead to an infection, and that is what you want to avoid at all cost. If you have redness or swelling, or blisters from insect bites or stings, be sure to bandage the area and avoid touching it. Over the counter first aid products like antibiotic ointments can be very helpful to treat the area before applying any bandaging. If the area of your bites or stings becomes infected because your itching and scratching breaks the skin, and it’s not properly covered with a bandage, you are really putting yourself in a precarious position.
Luckily, this type of first aid issue shouldn’t weigh you down in any way, unlike others we’ve discussed can. In most cases this is a mere inconvenience, but you want to be able to remedy it as quickly as possible nonetheless. You have important things to focus on like keeping yourself and your loved ones fed and hydrated, protecting your home from threats, and focusing on updates to see if any progress has been made in resuming things to what resembles a normal state.
