animal
bites & stings
Often, parents and caregivers are unaware of a child's allergy to certain animal stings until they have a reaction. The best course is always prevention, but if exposure does occur, use this guide to handle the emergency.
Prevent
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Rid your home and yard of any bee or hornet nest. ALWAYS use a professional for this task.
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Avoid heavy perfumes or scented body washes and lotions. Bees and wasps are attracted to these, much like a flower.
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Don't walk barefoot outdoors.
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Tightly secure the lid on all garbage cans. Move them into the garage, if possible, to avoid unwanted pests.
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Eating or drinking sugary foods outdoors will also attract insects. Make sure you properly dispose of all food afterward as well.
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Never encourage your child to approach a child animal, even if it is only a baby. Wild animals are unpredictable and can be dangerous.
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Teach your child to never pet a domestic animal without permission.
Treat
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If the stinger is still present, remove it with your fingernail.
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Wash all bite wounds with soap and water. Treat with an antibiotic ointment and wrap the wound securely.
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Keep an eye on wounds, even minor ones, for reddness and swelling for up to a week after the event. If present, it may indicate an infection which will need treatment with an antibiotic.
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Contact your pediatrician immediately if you suspect the animal is rabid. Contact animal control in your town to catch and destroy the animal.
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If the child is having difficulty breathing or swallowing, or has swelling around the face, call 911 immediately.
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Call the Poison Control Center for further advice.
Call Poison Control
1-800-222-1222
The Poison Control Center is a poisoning emergency information service staffed by nurses, pharmacists and doctors. They will answer your questions about what to do in the event of a poisoning, and can offer suggestions for the proper use and storage of pharmaceuticals and chemicals in the home.
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All calls are free and completely confidential.