Bites & Stings
Description
Most "bites and stings" come from insects, although isolated instances occur with many other animals: cats, dogs, horses, parrots, sea life etc.
Usually there is a minor, itchy bump, to mark the spot. However, in the process of drawing blood, a mosquito can cause malaria, or the poison (venom) from a bee, or wasp, can lead to anaphylactic shock, or even death.
A "bite" by definition should involve teeth but it is often applied, casually, to cover insects, which actually have a bidirectional tube (proboscis).
Some animals are so venemous that an antivenom is required. Some species of spiders and jellyfish, or snake "bites", or shark "bites", are significant enough to justify their own categories.
A "sting" is a unique device with some insects. Some bees only sting once and the venom sac detaches with the barbed sting to continue delivering the poison into the "enemy". Other insects may sting repeatedly. Most attention has recently been given to a new species of bee, the Africanized bee, which tends to be easily alarmed and attacks in large numbers, often killing the target animal (which can be a human being).
Causes
The most serious bites and stings have been geographically isolated within the Tropics. Once Europeans visited these zones they became known as the "White Man's Grave". Once the species of insect, such as the Anopheles mosquito, was identified, eradication and avoidance procedures were implemented. Medicines and antivenoms have also been developed.
Basically, a bite occurs when a warm-blooded animal meets an insect which feeds upon blood.
A sting is usually a defensive mechanism when man intrudes upon the residence of an insect or other animal. Classically, it is a price many men have been willing to pay in exchange for honey, for example.
Signs & Symptoms
Many insects are armed with an anesthetic, so that the exchange of blood can be made without interruption. Often the first sign is itchiness, once the anesthetic effect has worn off. Then there may be a red bump, or scab if it is scratched.
Other effects may be delayed, especially if a parasite is involved e.g. malaria, various tropical fevers etc.
A sting (or spider "bite" which is also actually a venemous sting) will usually be more significant, resulting in swelling at best and the worst-case scenarios can involve tissue losses, possibly convulsions and collapse.
Nutritional Supplements
Structure & Function:
Immune System Support &
Hair, Skin and Nail Support
Bites & Stings (Bee)
---------------------------------
General Supplements
---------------------------------
| Bioflavonoids* | ||
| Calcium | 1,500 mg | |
| Vitamin B5 | 500 mg | |
| Vitamin C | 10,000 mg | |
| Vitamin E (Topical) | 1 capsule |
Bites & Stings (Insect)
---------------------------------
General Supplements
---------------------------------
| Quercetin* | ||
| Thiamin (Repellent) | ||
| Vitamin C | 5,000 - 20,000 mg |
*Please refer to the respective topic for specific nutrient amounts.
Note: All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.
Dietary Considerations
Simple household products can help to limit swelling e.g. baking soda.
Avoid animal fats and proteins, as well as sugars for faster healing.
Avoid alcohol.
Homeopathic Remedy
| Description | Remedy |
| Animal | Aconitum Napellus tinct. |
| Horse fly | Hypericum tinct. |
| Stings | Apis Mellifica |
Treatment Schedule
Over-the-counter homeopathic remedies may be single strength (of fairly weak potency e.g. 6X ) or a blend of several weaker strengths (6X, 8X, 10X).
This may comprise a single remedy, or several remedies.
Doses are administered on a 3 times daily (tid), between meals,schedule and continued for 3 days.
Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose.
Solid preparations are usually 2 or 3 pellets per dose.
Children use 1/2 dose i.e. 1 pellet.
If there is aggravation of the symptoms, stop taking the remedy and consult a homeopath.
References
Murphy, R. : Homeopathic Medical Repertory. Hahneman Academy, Pagosa Springs, Colorado. 1993.
Murphy, R. : Lotus Materia Medica. Hahneman Academy, Pagosa Springs, Colorado. 1995.
Pert, J.C.: Homeopathy for the Family. The Homoeopathic Development Foundation, London. 1985 edition.
Tissue Salts
| Nat. Mur. (salve) | insect stings; |
Herbal Approaches
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Herbs
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Bites & Stings (Bee)
Echinacea
Goldenseal
Lobelia (Poultice)
Yellow Dock (tea)
Bites & Stings (Insect)
Calendula (ointment)
Pennyroyal (Repellent)
Tea Tree Oil (insecticide)
Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.
Aromatherapy - Essential Oils
| Chamomile Essence, | Fennel Essence |
| Lavender Essence, | Lemon Essence, |
| Penny Royal Essence, | Tea Tree Essence. |
Animal bites:
| Bergamot Essence, | Lavender Essence, |
| Lemon Essence, | Oregano Essence. |
Human bites:
| Bergamot Essence, | Lavender Essence, |
| Oregano Essence, | Tea Tree Essence. |
Insect bites:
| Eucalyptus Essence, | Lemon Essence, |
| Patchouli Essence, | Tea Tree Essence. |
Reptile bites:
| Clove Essence, | Lavender Essence, |
| Oregano Essence, | Tea Tree Essence. |
Related Health Conditions
AbstractsReferences
Ackermann-RW & Laursen-LC[Self-administration of adrenaline aerosol in anaphylactic reactions after insect stings]. Ugeskr-Laeger. 1996 Aug 5; 158(32): 4497-9.
Altomare-GF & Capella-GL "Bee sting therapy": the revival of a dangerous practice [letter] Acta-Derm-Venereol. 1994 Sep; 74(5): 409.
Annila IT et al., Bee and wasp sting reactions in current beekeepers. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol, 1996 Nov, 77:5, 423-7.
Cardoso-MA: Dietary iron supplementation does not aggravate experimental malaria in young rats. J-Nutr. 1996 Feb; 126(2): 467-75.
Coleman-M Sting challenges [letter] J-Allergy-Clin-Immunol. 1995 Nov; 96(5 Pt 1): 705.
De-Jong-R & Knols-BG Selection of biting sites on man by two malaria mosquito species. Experientia. 1995 Jan 15; 51(1): 80-4.
deShazo-RD: Imported fire ants--from medical nuisance to medical menace: new concerns for medical facilities in endemic areas [editorial] South-Med-J. 1995 Nov; 88(11): 1181.
Feigenbaum-BA Insect-sting challenges--all risk and no benefit? [letter] J-Allergy-Clin-Immunol. 1995 Nov; 96(5 Pt 1): 704-5.
Gelder-C et al: Allergy to bee and wasp venom. Br-J-Hosp-Med. 1996 Mar 20-Apr 2;
Glynn-JR & Bradley-DJ Inoculum size, incubation period and severity of malaria. Analysis of data from malaria therapy records. Parasitology. 1995 Jan; 110 ( Pt 1): 7-19.
Hoffman-DR Fire ant venom allergy. Allergy. 1995 Jul; 50(7): 535-44.
Janniger-CK et al: Childhood insect bite reactions to ants, wasps, and bees Cutis. 1994 Jul; 54(1): 14-6. [published erratum appears in Cutis 1994 Oct;54(4):245]
Kant-R & Bhatt-RM Field evaluation of mosquito repellent action of neem oil. Indian-J-Malariol. 1994 Sep; 31(3): 122-5.
Keystone-JS Of bites and body odour. Lancet. 1996 May 25; 347(9013): 1423.
Knols-BG Differential attractiveness of isolated humans to mosquitoes in Tanzania. Trans-R-Soc-Trop-Med-Hyg. 1995 Nov-Dec; 89(6): 604-6.
Masterov-GD: [Apitherapy in the combined treatment of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis taking into account the hypophyseal-adrenal system indices] Vrach-Delo. 1995 Jan-Feb(1-2): 120-2.
Novey-HS: Sting challenges as criteria for venom immunotherapy [letter] J-Allergy-Clin-Immunol. 1995 Nov; 96(5 Pt 1): 703-4.
Okmian-L[Tweezers are excellent tick removers (letter; comment)] Lakartidningen. 1994 Feb 23; 91(8): 704.
Rattanarithikul-R et al: Observations on nocturnal biting activity and host preference of anophelines collected in southern Thailand. J-Am-Mosq-Control-Assoc. 1996 Mar; 12(1): 52-7.
Reisman-RE Insect stings [see comments] N-Engl-J-Med. 1994 Aug 25; 331(8): 523-7.
Reisman-RE Insect sting challenges: do no harm [letter] J-Allergy-Clin-Immunol. 1995 Nov; 96(5 Pt 1): 702-3.
Sherman-RA: What physicians should know about Africanized honeybees. West-J-Med. 1995 Dec; 163(6): 541-6.
Shi-ZJ[Study on the transmission threshold of filariasis. Collaborating Research Group on the Transmission Threshold of Filariasis] Chung-Kuo-Chi-Sheng-Chung-Hsueh-Yu-Chi-Sheng-Chung-Ping-Tsa-Chih. 1994; 12(1): 1-6.
Veraldi-S et al: Persistent nodular lesions caused by "bee-sting therapy" [letter] Acta-Derm-Venereol. 1995 Mar; 75(2): 161-2.
Wekesa-JW Spatial distribution of adult mosquitoes (Diptera:Culicidae) in habitats associated with the rice agroecosystem of northern California. J-Med-Entomol. 1996 May; 33(3): 344-50.
Wells-CL; Spring-WJ Delayed but effective treatment of red-back spider envenomation. Med-J-Aust. 1996 Apr 1; 164(7): 447. [letter]
Xue-RD; Barnard-DR Human host avidity in Aedes albopictus: influence of mosquito body size, age, parity, and time of day. J-Am-Mosq-Control-Assoc. 1996 Mar; 12(1): 58-63.
Zheng-Y et al: An animal study on transmission of hepatitis B virus through mosquitoes. Chin-Med-J-Engl. 1995 Dec; 108(12): 895-7.
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