Victorian Government Better Health Newsletter
Enjoy the summer - with care:
Land creatures:
Bees - remove the sting by sliding or scraping your fingernail across it,
rather than pulling at it.
Wash the area and apply ice to reduce the swelling.
If the person has an allergy to beestings,
they [sic] can fall into a life threatening state of anaphylactic shock.
The only treatment is an injection of adrenaline.
Immobilise the person, apply pressure to the bite
and seek immediate medical help.
Funnel web spider - seek immediate medical help.
Bandage the wound firmly.
Use a second bandage to wrap the arm or leg and splint the affected limb.
Antivenom is required.
Red back spider - wash the affected area well
and soothe the pain with ice packs or iced water.
Don’t bandage the area.
Snakes - seek immediate medical help.
Not all Australian snakes are venomous;
however, you should follow the basic first aid techniques,
just in case.
Don’t wash the skin, as traces of venom left behind
might be needed by medical personnel to identify the snake.
Bandage and splint the limb.
If the person was bitten on the torso,
make sure your bandaging doesn’t restrict their breathing.
Tick - if a tick has burrowed into the skin,
douse it with alcohol or methylated spirits
then carefully pull it out with tweezers,
making sure you remove the entire body of the tick.
In the case of the Australian paralysis tick,
antivenom is available.
A tetanus injection might also be needed.
Sea creatures
Blue-ringed octopus - a bite can cause paralysis;
seek immediate medical help.
You may need to resuscitate the person.
Even if your efforts seem futile,
continue resuscitation until medical help arrives.
Box jellyfish - seek immediate medical help.
Stop the tentacles from stinging by pouring vinegar over them.
Immobilise the limb and bandage firmly.
You may need to resuscitate the person.
Antivenom is available.
Jellyfish - wash the tentacles off with water.
Use ice packs or anaesthetic cream to reduce the pain.
Stonefish - seek immediate medical help.
Bathe the area in warm water.
Antivenom is available.
A tetanus injection might be needed.
Where to get help:
Ambulance officers
Casualty department of the nearest hospital
Your doctor.
Things to remember:
In most cases, firmly bandage the site of the wound
and keep the person still.
Don’t use tourniquets, cut the puncture site
or try to suck out the venom.
Always seek medical advice as quickly as you can.
You might also be interested in:
Bedbugs.
Child safety - children and animals.
European wasp.
First aid - Q & A.
First aid kits.
Fleas.
White tailed spider.
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