Close interaction with representatives of the animal world sometimes ends unpredictably. It can be bites of insects, snakes, wild and even domestic animals. How to provide first aid for animal bites? What is their danger?
What can bite threaten
The danger to humans is absolutely all animals, without exception, and some insects, as they can bite or sting. The risk is as follows:
- The bite of an animal leaves an open wound into which many infections and pathogenic bacteria can penetrate. The situation is aggravated by the fact that in the animal’s mouth there are already some of them that can be carried into the wound with a bite.
- The wound from the teeth has lacerated edges, which greatly complicates its healing. In addition, it is very deep, which means that healing will take a lot of time.
- If you bite a snake, there is a chance to get a deadly dose of poison, which has a large amount of these reptiles. Those snakes that do not have poisonous glands, such as snakes, can introduce the infection into the wound.
- When bitten by insects, such as bees, wasps, hornets, poison is also released that can harm a person. In some cases, an allergic reaction or even anaphylactic shock develops.
Also, one should not forget about the threat of rabies due to bites of wild and domestic animals. This disease is particularly dangerous, as it is incurable if a person has symptoms.
Varieties of bites
There are two main varieties of bites of mammals:
- Superficial when the teeth penetrate shallow, touching the upper layers of the skin.
- Torn bite - when the edges of the wound cannot be determined. Accompanied by the penetration of teeth into the muscle. In this case, a large amount of blood is released.
The second type of bites is of particular danger, since bleeding is quite strong and difficult to stop with improvised means. The most dangerous are injuries to the head, abdomen, neck. First aid for animal bites is required in any case, regardless of the nature of the wounds received. It is also recommended to see a specialist and take a series of rabies vaccinations if a person has been bitten even by a pet.
Stop bleeding
First aid for bites of animals that belong to the class of mammals should always begin with stopping the bleeding, which will necessarily begin as a result of damage to the skin. Minor bleeding can be stopped by simply applying a cotton pad or several times folded gauze to the wound. With an extensive wound, you should resort to such actions:
- The damaged place should be tried to place above the level of the heart. For example, an arm or leg is just raised.
- With heavy bleeding, it is necessary to squeeze a vein or artery using a tourniquet or improvised means. In this case, the time of application of such a bandage should be fixed.
- With a large diameter of the wound, you can resort to tamponade with gauze or cotton swabs.
Always with heavy bleeding it is necessary to call an ambulance, as a person may lose too much physiological fluid, especially if the wound is extensive. Upon arrival, the medical team should inform them of the assistance provided, as well as the time of applying the tourniquet or bandage, if any.
Wound treatment
First aid for animal bites involves treating the wound with disinfectant solutions. This is necessary in order to destroy the pathogenic bacteria that managed to get inside with the teeth or saliva of the animal.
It is important to remember that it is necessary to wash the wound with disinfectant solutions only after the bleeding has stopped completely, since otherwise the drug will be washed off by the released physiological fluid.
For the treatment of wounds, drugs such as hydrogen peroxide, Chlorhexidine or Miramistin are used. They can be poured on the wound in unlimited quantities.
Help to the injured
In the process of first aid for animal bites, it is recommended that the victim be mentally supported by reassuring him. This is due to the fact that the bitten person is in a state of shock and cannot correctly perceive what happened. Non-acceptance of the situation may also occur if a person is bitten by a pet, from whom no one expected such an act.
In addition, it is important to bring the victim to the hospital on his own or call an ambulance. Qualified doctors will be able to assess the condition of the patient, as well as provide assistance. The ambulance team must be informed of the exact time of the bite, as well as describe the actions that were performed before their arrival.
Special attention should be given to rabies vaccines. They are especially relevant for the bites of wild, street, as well as domestic animals that have not been vaccinated or have been in contact with homeless representatives of the fauna. Vaccinations should be given to a person immediately after a bite, so that the victim can be protected from the development of a fatal disease.
It must be remembered that if a wild animal makes contact with humans, then it can be dangerous. For wild representatives of the animal world, it is uncharacteristically friendly to treat a person.
Snake bites
First aid for bites of animals and snakes in particular should be provided immediately. Fortunately, some reptiles that live in Russia, such as snakes or coppers, are not poisonous. They can bite with fright, since they are as afraid of a man as he is. Such wounds require stopping the blood, as well as treatment with antiseptics.
In the case of a bite of a poisonous snake, proceed as follows:
- Within 10 minutes after the bite, you need to press on the wound in order to squeeze a small amount of blood.
- After that, you need to suck the poison. This should be done as intensively as possible for 10-15 minutes, periodically spitting, as swallowing the liquid is strictly prohibited. The procedure is considered effective only if you start to suck off no later than 10 minutes after the bite.
- Instead of suctioning, you can use a glass from which you need to squeeze out the air with fire and attach it to the bite site.
- The victim should be transported as quickly as possible to the nearest hospital, which has a toxicological department.
Also, with snake bites, you need to wash the wound under running water and treat with a disinfectant.
Common mistakes
First aid for bites of poisonous animals, which include snakes, should not include the following measures, as they are erroneous:
- Categorically it is impossible to incise the wound, as this will only accelerate the absorption of the poison.
- Cauterize the bite site.
- Use painkillers, especially as an injection.
- Apply a tourniquet or dressing (except for cases of a cobra bite).
- Give alcohol to the victim.
Such actions only help the spread of poison in the body, therefore it is strictly prohibited.
Insect bites
When rendering first aid for bites of animals, snakes and insects, it is necessary to be guided by one simple rule - “do no harm”. Therefore, in the absence of minimal knowledge about this, the best solution is to call an ambulance.
With insect bites, you can provide the victim with such help:
- Try to carefully remove the sting from the skin.
- Rinse the bite site with water, and then treat with an antiseptic.
- Apply ice to the wound.
- Give the victim an antihistamine.
When biting spiders, you need to immobilize a person so that the poison is absorbed more slowly, and also monitor his breathing.
It is not recommended that you independently try to remove a tick from a bite, since, most likely, its head will remain under the skin. In addition, the body of the insect must be sent for examination to be examined for the detection of encephalitis infection.
Bite Prevention
In order not to have to provide first aid for the bites of animals, insects and snakes, you should adhere to such rules:
- Do not touch the animal when it is eating.
- Do not tease animals, both wild and domestic.
- Do not pick up the cubs.
- When hiking in the forest, wear clothes and shoes made of thick materials.
- Use insect repellents.
- Use mosquito nets to protect windows.
- Do not pet a pet dog without first asking the owner for permission.
Unfortunately, even when the rules of prevention are followed, first aid may be necessary for animal bites, so in such cases it is important to draw the attention of other people.