Sunday October 11, 2009

Beware the bugs

Compiled by HARIATI AZIZAN

THEY may be small but some insects can be dangerous, especially if you are unaware of the hazard or do not know how to respond when attacked. Some insect bites may even cause severe allergic reactions which might be deadly.

Earlier this week in Sarawak, three children died when they were attacked by a swarm of hornets while they were out on a stroll with their family on a hill near their home.

It was reported that they were suddenly swarmed and stung by the hornets, which had a nest behind a pile of rocks on the hill. However, it was not confirmed whether the hornets’ nest had been disturbed.

Little dangers

CENTIPEDE - The house centipede, unlike most other centipedes that normally live outdoors, can live indoors especially in damp, moist basements, cellars, bathrooms, crawlspaces or unexcavated areas under the house.

Ants

ANT - Ants sting and inject their formic acid into animals or humans that threaten them or their nests. Unlike honeybees, ant stingers do not have barbs so the ant can sting several times, and the act of stinging does not kill the ant.

BEE - Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination. Bees sting only when they are extremely provoked - to protect their colony or when frightened - because they will die after stinging.

WASP & HORNET - Unlike the bee, the wasp and hornet are more aggressive and can insert and withdraw its sting with comparative ease. Hence, a single wasp is able to deliver multiple stings with ease.

CATERPILLARS - Caterpillars’ bristles may be poisonous, so they should not be touched.

LEECH - They hang off the leaves of bushes and will drop onto you as you brush against them. The leech’s saliva contains an anaesthetic so you do not feel its bite.

SCORPION - The Black Scorpion is common in Asia, especially in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. It can be found in forests or sheltered scrublands. However, its venom is not considered lethal.

SPIDERS - Although scientifically not an insect, it is still a creepy crawly. There are no significantly poisonous spiders in Malaysia. A bite from a tarantula is painful but not life-threatening.

What to do when attacked

MOST insect bites tend to require nothing more than first aid.

Centipede

A bite or sting from a CENTIPEDE, ANT or BEE can easily be treated, even at home. If the reaction is localised, wash with soap and water. You could also get a steroid-based cream from the pharmacy to apply.

A SCORPION’s sting might require medical attention. There might be symptoms and lots of pain. These can be treated with sedation or pills to stop vomiting.

When you are being attacked by HORNETS, don’t run as this will make them think that you are going to attack them. Find a place to squat down and sit still. Hornets can mobilise the entire nest to sting in defense. They will only attack when provoked, but don’t go too near the nests as our sweat will provoke them to attack.

When stung, lie down and apply cold water or ice in a wet cloth on the affected area. If you experience any symptoms of allergy in the first 20 minutes after being stung, get medical aid immediately.

When a BEE stings, it leaves a sac in your skin that continues to pump venom into your flesh, so it’s best to get it out as soon as possible.

Scrape the stinger off with a quick sideways movement with a fingernail.

Never lift it out as this will inject more venom into you.

After washing, apply a cold compress, baking soda and topical steroids, or orally take anti-histamines.

LEECHES will drop off once they have drunk their fill from you. They should not be pulled off - their jaws could be left in your flesh. Remove with a dab of salt, alcohol, an ember or a flame.

Staying safe when on a natural trek

Like us humans, bugs don’t like it when others trespass their home. However, there are a few steps that can be taken to stay safe:

Don’t put on perfumes, lotions, hair products or other perfumed cosmetics as they may attract insects.

Don’t wear bright clothes or flowery prints or black.

Don’t disturb their nests especially a hornets’ nest.

Do carry an emergency kit, which should contain a syringe, adrenaline, steroids and anti-histamine either in liquid or tablet form if you know you are allergic to an insect venom

Check for allergies

Some people are hyper-allergic to insects’ venom. Death is by suffocation - the windpipe swells and chokes the victim. The problem is you won’t know if you are allergic unless a blood test has been done.

If you are allergic, you will get a reaction in other parts of your body (swelling, itching and hives). You may become dizzy and have difficulty breathing. Death is usually within half-an-hour.

Quick medical treatment is crucial.

If you get a reaction, jab the adrenaline syringe quickly into the thigh. As a last resort, an asthma inhaler can be used to aid breathing on the way to the hospital. A shot of adrenaline is usually administered. A steroid injection may be required too. In serious cases, a surgical opening at the windpipe may be necessary.

Some people are sensitised.

This means they’ve been stung before, and the reaction gets progressively more severe. Half the victims of stings have an entirely normal response on one occasion but suffer a serious reaction the next.

Medical allergy treatment is available to pre-empt such reactions, but it’s costly.

Various sources including wwwnc.cdc.gov and www.insectstings.co.uk

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