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Insect Bites and Stings Updated 4/2011

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BASICS

  • Description
  • Epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • General Prevention
  • Pathophysiology

DIAGNOSIS

  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Tests
  • Differential Diagnosis

TREATMENT

  • Medication (Drugs)
  • Additional Treatment
  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine
  • Surgery
  • In-patient Considerations

Ongoing Care

  • Follow-Up Recommendations
  • Patient Education
  • Prognosis
  • Complications
The following is an excerpt....
BASICS
Description

Arthropods affect humans by inoculating poison or irritative substances through a bite or sting, by invading tissue, and rarely, by contact allergy. Responses may include:

  • Local redness with itch, pain, and swelling, usually immediate and transient
  • Large local reactions increasing over 24–48 h with inflammation
  • Systemic reactions with signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis or systemic toxin effects
  • Tissue necrosis
  • Secondary infection
  • Diseases or late effects of inoculated microorganisms carried by the insect

Epidemiology
Incidence

Approximately 50 deaths/year from fatal anaphylactic reaction to Hymenoptera stings (i.e., yellow jackets, bees, wasps most common)

Prevalence

Widespread, with regional and seasonal variations

Risk Factors
  • Previous sensitization is key to most severe allergic reactions, but exposure history may not be ...

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See Also
Images >
Fig. 1. With a bite to the hand, the extensor injury usually is proximal to the skin laceration because the MCP joint is flexed at the time of injury.