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First Aid: Bites and Stings

4 August 2024

Encounters with various animals in nature, around the house or even inside the house sometimes end in a situation that requires first aid. To avoid these situations, the most important rule when going out into nature is to make sure to walk in well-lit places, to wear high and closed shoes and it is also advisable to wear long pants. In addition, below are some other recommendations that you should know:

  • Snakes and scorpions: the most dangerous animals we may encounter in Israel’s nature are snakes and scorpions. Although many are not dangerous to humans, some may be poisonous, so in any snake bite or scorpion sting it is important to call 911.
  • Bees and wasps: if you are stung and know that you are allergic to the venom or if a severe allergic reaction develops, you should call the MDA.
  • Bites and scratches from mammals, especially cats and dogs: if it is a pet, make sure that it is up to date with all the required vaccinations.
  • Mosquitos: beyond the use of personal protective equipment, there are not many preventive measures. It is important to remember that in the case of an acute allergic reaction to a bite, one should call MDA and if within 5–21 days after the sting a flu-like fever develops, seek medical attention.
  • Ticks: when staying in places like niches, ruins and caves, it is important to be wary of ticks, which can transmit a variety of infections and diseases to humans. Before entering these sites, it is important to wear long clothing, apply tick repellent, and avoid sitting or crawling.
  • Jellyfish: in the case of a sting or burn on the skin, initially flush with sea water, and then wash under a direct stream of fresh water for several minutes, without rubbing the area. If symptoms beyond redness or local burning occur, call the MDA.
  • Spiders: spider bites largely cause pain, swelling and redness. If a venomous spider bite is involved, more serious symptoms will appear that require immediate medical attention.

While camping, did a mysterious bite appear on one of the children? Was your relaxing time at the beach spoiled by a stinging encounter with a jellyfish? Did your walk in the garden turn into a stressful event after a snake came out of the bushes?

Here are some recommendations on what to do when faced with stings, bites or stings, and also - to avoid in order prevent the injury from deteriorating. A comprehensive guide to proper treatment and first aid in all situations.

Israel is home to several dozens species of snakes, some of which are poisonous, for example Eurasian viper, saw-scaled vipers, horned vipers and elapid snakes. Most snakes are active primarily at night, while during the day they are usually found in hiding places, for example under stones or piles of leaves. When going out into nature, make sure to walk in well-lit places, to wear high and closed shoes and it is also advisable to wear long pants. It is also important to remember that snakes only attack if they feel threatened, so if you encounter a snake, you should keep your distance.

Instructions for snake bites

  • Immediately call MDA, call for an ambulance and receive instructions from them until it arrives.
  • Until emergency medical team arrives, it is important to calm the person who was bitten down, lay him down so that the bitten organ is below the level of the heart and make sure that it does not move - immobility and a low pulse are essential to slow down the spread of the poison in the body and thereby minimize any injury.
  • The affected area can swell, so you should remove all jewelry or tight clothing.
  • Never: try to suck the venom out, fixate the injured limb, cool the injured area and apply a tourniquet.
  • Snakes are protected species whose killing is prohibited. If the snake dies, bring it to the hospital without touching its fangs.

Most scorpions found in Israel are not dangerous to humans but there are several species of scorpions whose sting is not only very painful but potentially life-threatening - such as the yellow scorpion, commonly found in rocky areas or under stones, especially in mountainous areas. When going out into nature, clean the camp area of stones, wear high shoes, make sure to walk in well-lit places and check shoes and clothes that have been placed on the ground before wearing them.

Instructions for a scorpion sting

  • A scorpion can sting more than once, so it is important to stay away from it and not try to capture it.
  • You must immediately take the injured person to a hospital. Immediately call MDA, order an ambulance and receive instructions from them until it arrives.
  • Until the arrival of the emergency treatment team, it is important to calm down the person who was stung and minimize their movement to prevent the venom from spreading in the bloodstream.
  • Never: try to suck the venom out, fixate the injured limb, cool the injured area and apply a tourniquet. Do not allow the injured person to drink (out of fear that the venom will spread and reach the esophageal area).

Another common event, especially among children, are bites and scratches from mammals, especially cats and dogs. If it is a pet, make sure that it is up to date with all the required vaccinations.

Instructions for bite or scratch from a mammal or rodent

  • Wash the bitten or scratched area thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Seek medical treatment within 24 hours at the health bureau closest to your place of residence (Hebrew), to determine if a rabies vaccine is necessary. If it is a weekend, or the injury is to the face or head - go to the emergency room. Bring the vaccination booklet of the affected person to determine whether a tetanus shot is also necessary.

Although bee or wasp stings are unpleasant, they usually do not cause severe reactions - unless there is an allergy to their venom. The greatest risk occurs in multiple stings.

The Oriental hornet (bee) and the German wasp are much larger than the bee and are considered more aggressive. In the summer, when nesting begins, the danger of these bites increases. In this season, wasps are attracted to juicy food (fruits and vegetables), puddles and scraps of fresh meat. Other wasps, usually elongated and yellowish, that nest in bushes or on the ground, or honeybees from nearby hives, also occasionally appear. During the summer, pay attention to the presence of bees and wasps, especially when eating outdoors.

Instructions for bee or wasp sting

  • If there is a known allergy to venom, or if a severe allergic reaction develops (for example, shortness of breath, swelling of the face), call 101 for MDA.
  • If the person is not allergic to the venom, pain at the site of the bite, local swelling and redness are expected to occur.
  • Do not try to remove the venom in order to avoid the release of more venom.
  • Cool the area with a wet cloth, but do not place ice directly on the area (so that frostbite does not develop).

During the hot summer days and with the warming waters of the Mediterranean, jellyfish usually migrate to Israel’s coast, especially nomad jellyfish. The entire length of the jellyfish's tentacles is covered with stinging cells, and when it comes into contact with a living creature, venom (neurotoxin) is secreted from them, the purpose of which is to paralyze the victim. Despite the venom's ability to kill a small aquatic animal, humans will usually experience a rash, redness, and burning. Blisters may occasionally form, and in some cases muscle spasms will occur. The severity of the injury largely depends on the type of jellyfish.

When you go to bathe in the Mediterranean during jellyfish season, it is important to know that even if you do not come into direct contact with a jellyfish, may experience burning and irritation of the skin.

Instructions for jellyfish sting and burning

  • Distance the remains of the jellyfish from the skin with an object such as a stick or piece of plastic. It is important to avoid rubbing the area to prevent the venom from penetrating the skin.
  • Initially flush with sea water, and then wash under a direct stream of fresh water for several minutes, without rubbing the area.
  • Do not pour vinegar on the bite or burn site as it can make the burn worse.
  • Important to emphasize: for small children in particular and adults in general, if suspicious symptoms appear beyond redness or local burning (narrowing of the airways, respiratory difficulties, weakness, swelling of the throat, cyanosis of the affected area, swelling beyond normal - edema, severe allergic reaction) call MDA and wait for the ambulance.

Ticks can transmit a variety of infections and diseases to humans by a bite, for example cave fever (relapsing endemic fever) and Lyme disease. When staying in places like niches, ruins and caves, it is important to be wary of ticks, which can transmit a variety of infections and diseases to humans. In addition, in places where there are untreated domestic animals, there is a danger of being stung by the dog tick and the sheep tick.

After visiting a site where there is a risk of ticks being present, look for ticks on the body and hair.

Instructions for a tick bite

  • Before visiting sites that may be infested with ticks, it is important to apply tick repellent.
  • If you find a tick on the body, use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to pull it out. Grab the tick as close as possible to the surface of the skin and pull upwards with steady pressure. It is recommended to keep the tick to show it to the medical staff if necessary.
  • After removing the tick, clean the bite area and hands with soap and water.
  • Note: never crush the tick with your fingers.
  • It is important to seek medical attention if the wound does not heal after several days and if flu-like symptoms or a rash develop.

We all suffer from mosquito bites from time to time, or more precisely - the bite of the female house mosquito. In most cases, the bite causes swelling, local redness and disturbing itching. It is important to know, however, that mosquitoes are potential disease carriers, and sometimes the bite of an infected mosquito can transmit diseases to a human, such as West Nile fever (heat-related illness, generally mild).

Different people react differently to bites, and the same person can react differently to the bites of different species of mosquitoes. Some people are bitten less than others and some are bitten but do not feel the bites - so when there is a risk of disease transmission through mosquitoes, it is important to protect yourself, even when you do not usually suffer from a reaction to the bites.

Instructions for a mosquito bite

  • You can apply a substance to the bite that soothes the itching.
  • In case of secondary infection, it is important that you seek medical attention.
  • In case of a severe allergic reaction, call MDA.
  • If within 5–21 days after the bite, a flu-like fever develops, seek medical attention from a physician for diagnosis and consultation.

Spider bites are quite common. It is important to know that in Israel most species of spiders are not dangerous to humans and their bites only cause pain, swelling and redness. There are very few poisonous spiders in Israel, the main ones being black widow and Mediterranean recluse spider and their bite can cause serious systemic damage and even death. Spider bites frequently occur without feeling it and the effect appears only after a few hours.

Instructions for a venomous spider bite

  • If the spider bite is venomous, i.e. symptoms appear that go beyond swelling and redness of the skin, itching, pain and burning, immediately seek medical attention or call an ambulance.
  • Until the injured person arrives for treatment, it is important to calm him down. Fixate the injured limb and cool the bite area (note, do not place ice directly on the bite area).

There are approximately 40 species of fleas in Israel, out of over 2,000 species of fleas known to science. Fleas are tiny parasites that live by sucking the blood of mammals, such as cats and dogs, or wild animals, such as foxes and rats. Flea bites in humans are often caused by contact with pets.

The fleas are capable of large leaps, so they can jump from animal to person and bite him. Flea bites are mostly a nuisance, but each person has a different sensitivity to flea bites and the reaction can range from a small, red, itchy bite to a rash and a severe allergic reaction.

Instructions for a flea bite

  • Wash the site with water and soap.
  • The site can be cooled down with a cold bandage.
  • In case of a local allergic reaction, apply a product that relieves skin irritation, burns and stings.
  • If a blister formed at the site of the bite or if there is very severe itching, seek medical attention.

The pine processionary is a species of moth that is common throughout Israel and feeds on the needles of pine trees. Before spring (in March-April), when the larvae of the pine processionary are at the peak of their development, they descend from the trees to the ground. In this stage, their body is covered with venomous hairs, the purpose of which is to protect the larvae. When these hairs fall from the larvae, they can cause skin and eye infections in humans.
For this reason, while there is an infestation of these arthropods, stay away from infested areas. At other times, when going on picnics and nature walks, check whether the area is infected before sitting on the ground.

Instructions for contact with the pine processionary

If you come into contact with the arthropod or its larvae, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention.

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