Medical expert of the article
New publications
Bites of spiders and insects
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
In the place of the bite of the scorpion there is a sharp, unbearable pain, lasting several hours, and the bubbles filled with liquid, followed by the formation of a dark pink point. Fast signs of intoxication: fever, weakness, dizziness; then convulsions, difficulty breathing and swallowing, increased blood pressure, in severe cases - shock and stopping breathing.
The bite of the karakurt (black widow) is often painless, but after 10-15 minutes the symptoms quickly progress, reaching a maximum 2 hours after the bite. A phenomenon of "stratification of pain" of various types is typical, a sharp weakness in the lower limbs, excitement, a sense of fear, tension of abdominal muscles, meningeal symptoms, urinary retention. Gradually develops toxigenic arterial hypertension, pulmonary edema, coma. If the outcome is unfavorable, death occurs at a maximum of the second day, lethality reaches 4%.
Read also an article about the bites of other spiders.
[1]
Who to contact?
Emergency help with a bite of spiders
When a bite of arachnid poison is squeezed out of the wound and wiped with a napkin. The wound is treated with a 1% solution of potassium permanganate. For anesthesia with a scorpion bite, novocaine blockade is carried out with a 0.5% solution of procaine (novocaine) for 5-10 ml, metamizole sodium (analgin), drugs are also used. To stop toxicogenic hypertension, beta-blockers are used - 0.1% solution of propranolol (obzidan) from 0.01-0.02 mg to 0.1 mg / kg intravenously or orally. At a bite of a karakurt enter 25% a solution of magnesium sulfate on 0,2 ml on 1 kg of body weight, and also 10% a solution of calcium gluconata on 1,0 ml for year of a life intravenously.
The introduction of antitoxic serum (serum against the poison of the karakurt spider horse purified concentrated liquid) by the method of Besideka in a volume of 10-20 ml with a scorpion sting or 20-60 ml with a bite of Karakurt is shown only in severe cases after intravenous use of antihistamines and glucocorticosteroids (prednisolone 2- 5 mg / kg or dexamethasone 0.5 mg / kg). It is very important to introduce serum in the first hour after the bite.
[2]
Emergency aid for biting insects
It is necessary to remove the sting and treat the wound with 10% ammonia solution (ammonia) or water with soap. It is especially important to remove the sting with multiple bites as soon as possible, since the bag with the poison in the wound continues to pulsate, which leads to its larger intake. Locally - cold compresses, ice. When the bite is localized in the limb and the development of a significant edema it is elevated to an immobilized position. With symptoms of systemic anaphylaxis, 0.1% solution of epinephrine (adrenaline) 0.1 ml per year of life (10 μg / kg) is administered intravenously. The use of antihistamines: 1% solution of diphenhydramine (dimedrol), 2% solution of chloropyramine (suprastin) 0,03-0,05 ml / kg or clemastine (tavegil) 0.1 ml per year of life; glucocorticosteroids (prednisolone 5 mg / kg or dexamethasone 0.5 mg / kg), bronchodilators: 100-200 mg of salbutamol, 20-80 μg of ipratropium bromide for inhalation, 10-40 drops of ipratropium bromide + fenoterol (berodula) in the nebulizer.
When a bee, other hymenoptera (bumblebee, wasp, hornet) and ants bite, a reaction may develop in the form of local redness of the skin, moderate pain, swelling and subsequent itching. A bite in the mouth of the child can lead to obstruction of the upper respiratory tract. Signs of systemic anaphylaxis in the victims include the appearance of generalized urticaria rash, edema in the face, itching, dry cough, dyspepsia. Laryngo- and bronchospasm develops, shock, pulmonary edema, coma. Lethal outcome in case of development of systemic anaphylaxis is possible during the first 30 minutes from the moment of bite. In the case of multiple bites (from 10 or more), the symptoms of toxic damage are similar to the systemic anaphylactic reaction.