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Home Remedy for BitesHere are some common home remedies for bites. Do not use them to treat people who are allergic to insect bites. Prevention FirstThere is no substitute for prevention. If you go outdoors, carry insect repellents to avoid bites. Keep away from wild animals and do not pester animals that could potentially bite you. Snakes, bees, spiders or even monkeys and squirrel may attack if threatened.If Allergic, Call the DoctorIf the person who has been bitten begins to experience breathing difficulties, develops hives or becomes unconscious, take him to the hospital immediately. These are all the usual signs of allergies.Treat Mosquito BitesApply an ice compress on itchy mosquito bites for 20 minutes every hour until it is no longer itchy. You could also use calamine lotion (available at the local pharmacy) for fast and easy relief.Bee or Wasp StingsIf you have been bitten by a bee, wasps or some other insect with a sting, begin by first removing the stinger (if present). Next, apply some ice on the area. Follow this up by using Vitamin C that contains bio-flavonoids (4 to 5 gram). Take 1 g per hour until the problem is resolved.If you cannot remove the sting, apply a paste of bicarbonate soda and water to make the sting alkaline. You can also apply other available home remedies like onion, honey poultice or ice water plus baking soda soaks. Tick BitesA tick bite is nothing to worry about. Although lime disease is associated with tick bites, a tick must remain on your skin for a day or two before it can transmit the disease.If a tick has bitten you, the first thing to do is remove the insect. Using tweezers, grasp the insect's mouthparts as close as possible to your skin and rotate the tick anticlockwise as you pull it off. Get rid of the tick and then wash the bite area with clean, soapy water. Finish up by applying tea tree or lavender oil on your skin. You need not see a doctor unless there is swelling or redness around the bite, or you get a fever or a rash. Spider BitesMost spider bites do little harm other than cause localized irritation. The normal course of action is to apply ice on the bite area, and take some Vitamin C, quercetin or Vitamin B5.However, some species can be deadly. If the victim experiences breathing problems, sweating, shivering, watering eyes or intense pain in the bite area, seek immediate help. Snake BitesIf you believe a poisonous snake has bitten you, get to the emergency room immediately. If you are far from medical help, take the following steps on the way to the hospital. First, get someone to kill the snake and take it to the hospital if possible. This would help doctors prescribe the right antivenin to the patient. On the way to the hospital, stay calm. Panic results in the venom being pumped to the whole body faster. Remove any shoes, rings or accessories from the bite area because it will swell. Tie a belt, cloth or handkerchief above the bite mark. Make sure that it is not tied so tight that it cuts off blood circulation.Also Read: |