BITES AND STINGS
POISON PREVENTION TIPS
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POISON HAZARDS
Bites can be caused by many different sources: insects, spiders, snakes,
animals and marine life, just to name a few.
But how do you know what to do when you get a bite?
Call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Bites differ not only by what caused the bite but also by what happens in the body
after the bite occurs. These differences are due to the specific toxic substance
released into the body during the bite, the amount of toxic substance and the victim’s
individual response to the toxic substance.
SYMPTOMS OF AN ALLERGIC REACTION
Because different bites inject different toxic substances into the body and
can cause different symptoms, not all bites are treated the same way.
Specialists at the Poison Center can offer appropriate treatment
recommendations when bites occur.
Local reactions can include:
• redness
• tingling
• stinging
• pain
• itching
• swelling
Systemic reactions are symptoms that can
spread throughout your body, such as:
• swelling and redness beyond the bite site
• muscle spasms
• actual skin breakdown
• death of skin tissue
• weakness
• changes in level of consciousness
• anaphylactic shock
Everyone needs to be aware of the symptoms associated with
Anaphylactic reactions and call 911 immediately.
Some disease conditions can be spread from different types of bites and some can even
be life threatening. Disease conditions spread through bites include, but are not limited to:
• Lyme Disease from ticks infected with the organism.
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever from ticks infected with the organism.
• West Nile Virus from mosquitoes infected with the organism.
• Yellow Fever from mosquitoes infected with the organism.
• Typhus from fleas or lice infected with the organism.
• Rabies from the saliva of infected animals.
REMEMBER...
Specialists at the Poison Center
can offer appropriate treatment recommendations
when these bites occur or when symptoms develop after the bite occurs.
1-800-222-1222
1. Keep the environment in and around your home free of insects and pests.
2. When hiking or outside in public environments use insect repellents as directed on the
label.
3. NEVER use insect repellents on children containing over 10% DEET.
4. Educate young children about ‘Common Critters’ that can bite or sting and what to do
and not do when these critters are seen.
5. Make sure that you keep your pet vaccinated against Rabies.
1. If you think something bit or stung you, try to see what it was.
2. Then call the Poison Center for treatment recommendations.
Remember...Not all bites and stings are treated the same way!
Bites and stings from different sources contain different toxic substances
and some need very specific treatment.
3. Don’t wait for symptoms to develop before beginning treatment.
4. Often symptoms can be prevented if proper treatment is done immediately.
5. Be aware that there is no known effective treatment for a person who develops
symptoms of Rabies. Therefore, DON’T WAIT FOR SYMPTOMS TO OCCUR!
Preventive treatment for bites from animals that can carry Rabies is available and
should be initiated as soon as possible after the bite occurs.
Animals known to be Rabies carriers include raccoons, foxes, skunks, dogs, cats and
bats.
The Alabama Poison Center I 2503 Phoenix Drive I Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 I FAX 205-345-7189
