HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Bites & stings
Ngau me wero
Important
If someone is wheezing, has difficulty breathing or has a fast heart rate after an insect bite, phone 111 straight away and ask for an ambulance. Then follow the first aid instructions for anaphylaxis.
Human and animal bites
Humans and animals carry a lot of germs (bacteria) in their mouths, so both human and animal bites can be quite dangerous, particularly if the bite breaks the skin.
Helping someone who has been bitten
- If the person is bleeding heavily, stop the bleeding by applying direct pressure with a clean, dry cloth until it stops. If possible, wear disposable gloves. Do not apply a tourniquet.
- If there are bits of teeth in the wound, remove them if you can do so easily. If that is not possible, do not apply pressure directly where the teeth are.
- If the wound is minor, once it's stopped bleeding, wash the area under running water for at least five minutes. You can then clean it with an antiseptic solution.
- Place a non-stick sterile dressing over the wound.
- Use over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if necessary. Follow the instructions on the packet.
Important
If a finger, ear or other body part has been bitten off, wash it in tap water and wrap it in clean tissue. Put it in a plastic bag and seal the bag. Place the bag in a container of cold water with ice and make sure it goes to the hospital with the injured person.
Getting medical help
Human and animal bites have a high chance of getting infected, even if the wounds look quite small. In most cases it's best to see your general practice team to check if the person who has been bitten needs antibiotics and to check if their tetanus immunisation is up to date.
You should also get help if:
- the wound doesn't stop bleeding
- the wound is deep, and you cannot safely clean it or it looks like it might need stitches
- there is stiffness or a lack of movement around the wound.
Insect bites and stings
Insect bites are very common. They often cause mild irritation such as redness, swelling and itching around them. There may also be a blister in the middle of the bite. Very rarely, a person can have a severe allergic reaction to an insect bite and will need urgent medical help.
For a bee sting, remove the sting by scraping it off using your fingers or a credit card.
Helping someone who has been bitten or stung
- Wash the area with soap and cold water.
- Apply a cold compress – this can be ice wrapped in a cloth or a cloth dipped in cold water. This will help to reduce pain and swelling.
- Use over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol. Follow the instructions on the packet.
- Watch the person to see if they're showing any signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing, a spreading rash or collapse. If any of these happen, phone 111 for an ambulance straight away.
- If the person usually has swelling and reactions to insect bites, it's a good idea for them to take antihistamines for a few days as this may relieve the itching and swelling.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- St John – Bites and stings
First aid information about different types of bites and stings.
- Health Information and Services – Bites and stings
Information about the different types of bites and what to do.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed December 2022.
SourcesReview key: HIFAD-141030
