DRK emergency measures for insect bites in the mouth

Insect bites in the mouth can have life-threatening consequences

07/24/2012

Insect bites, especially for allergy sufferers, represent a significant health risk. However, if the sting in the mouth or pharyngeal area threatens life-threatening consequences for non-allergic people. The German Red Cross (DRK) in Karlsruhe has therefore informed in a recent press release about what immediate measures should be taken in such cases.

In the summer, bees, wasps and hornets are increasingly looking for food and can also settle on people's food and drinks. For example, if the insects eat their food in the mouth while eating ice cream, they sting. While the insect bites are usually rather harmless for non-allergy sufferers, threatening a jab in the mouth life-threatening consequences, because under certain circumstances, the respiratory tract can zoom in. Therefore, in any case, an emergency doctor should be alerted and in the meantime, with immediate measures such as the cooling of the neck from the inside and outside to keep the swelling as low as possible.

Insect bites normally harmless
In principle, insects such as bees or wasps only sting when they feel threatened. Therefore, the insects should not be attacked or harassed. Often, however, the stitches are made by unnoticed animals, which are accidentally pinched, trampled or even swallowed. Although the stitches are painful, they generally have no more serious consequences for non-allergic people. The German Red Cross doctor Professor Peter Sefrin stressed in the current press release of the German Red Cross that "for normal sensitive people a sting is not dangerous". The pain and the local swelling are normal reactions and resolve themselves after some time. Cooling can help and in a bee sting, those affected should remove the sting as quickly as possible by scratching it away with fingernails or using tweezers, explained Prof. Sefrin. Because if the sting is pulled out with the fingers, "the remaining poison from the venom gland could be pushed into the puncture site," warned the German Red Cross doctor.

Cool insect bites in the mouth from inside and outside
While insect bites usually pose no particular health risk, it can be quite critical, according to DRK in a sting in the mouth and throat. In addition, people with allergies are generally at great risk because they are at worst threatened by anaphylactic shock, according to the DRC. If the sting in the mouth and throat, the experts of the DRC advise "immediately inside and outside to cool." Because the insect bite, the mucous membranes and the tongue can swell. In the worst case, the respiratory tract constricts or closes completely within a very short time. According to the German Red Cross, affected persons should immediately call the emergency services (emergency call: 112). Until this happens, the stitch is cool from inside and outside. The DRC advises patients to suck ice cubes or ice cream (as long as they can swallow) and, in addition, to cool the throat from the outside with cold compresses or cooling elements. In order to avoid frostbite on the skin, the cooling elements should be wrapped in a cloth. Saliva and lemon juice, according to the DRK, "have a cooling and antiseptic effect." The measures to prevent swelling in the mouth and throat should be carried out according to the experts, until the emergency service arrives.

Allergic shock from insect bites
If the sufferers are allergic and threatened with an allergic shock, this should also be communicated to the emergency call and the patients should be positioned until the arrival of the emergency physician in "shock storage", explains the German Red Cross. In this case, shock storage means that the affected person's legs are stored high and warm, and the patients are brought "into a breath-facilitating upper body posture" in the event of breathing difficulties. The insect venom allergy can be triggered by "toxins from all insects", with a single pass suffice to cause the most violent allergic reactions. If there is a rapid onset of major skin swelling and other reactions such as tongue burning, itching, shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, palpitations, anxiety, nausea and vomiting or even loss of consciousness, the person has an allergic shock, according to the DRC.

Risk of life-threatening cardiovascular arrest
In the case of an allergic shock, the DRK claims that there is "the risk of a deadly cardiac arrest", which is why not only should the emergency physician be alerted immediately, but immediate emergency measures must be taken. If the sting of the insect is still in the wound, it must first be removed so that the trigger of the allergy comes out of the body. Depending on the condition, the patients should be placed in shock storage or in a breath-facilitating upper body posture, reports the German Red Cross. Those present were called upon to calm those affected and to observe their breathing and awareness. If the patients become unconscious, they should be placed in the stable side position. If "normal" breathing also slows down, the DRC advises "to begin with CPR (30 compressions and 2 alternating breaths)" and continue them until the rescue service arrives.

Avoid insect bites by taking precautionary measures
According to the DRK, the best protection against insect bites is the careful handling of the animals. "Do not oppress insects by hectic movements," the experts said. According to the DRC, the "insects are resilient when attacking their nest or when they are trapped in the crook of the arm, trouser leg or popliteal fossa or get into their clothes." Here, therefore, special care is required. The DRC also advises motorcyclists to wear gloves and helmets with their visors closed. On grass or meadow should not be walked barefoot, according to the experts. Furthermore, drinks and food outdoors are always covered and from dark containers, such as beverage cans, should only be drunk with a straw if possible. "Take a good look at every bite and drink before taking it," said the DRC warning. In addition, individuals who suffer from an insect venom allergy should, according to the experts, "have an emergency kit with them at all times and be aware of its use." (Fp)

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