Presentation
Latrodectism is related to neurotoxins present in the venom of widow spiders. Most cases present with headache, lethargy, irritability, myalgia, tremor, fasciculation, or ataxia. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Signs and symptoms of a bee sting Can include: barb of the bee sting present pain at the sting site itching and swelling at the sting site. [sielearning.tafensw.edu.au]
Entire Body System
- Collapse
In the case of a more serious, anaphylactic reaction, a dog might suffer from vomiting, collapse, weakness, respiratory distress, and pale gums. [petmd.com]
Signs and symptoms of a stonefish sting Can include: intense local pain and swelling at the site breathing difficulties collapse and unconsciousness can occur. [sielearning.tafensw.edu.au]
They may vomit and collapse within 10 minutes. Paralysis may cause breathing to stop. First Aid Pressure bandage with immobilisation (PBI) is required to limit the movement of the venom from the area. This is similar to treating a snakebite. [austin.org.au]
Where to get help For a snake bite, or if the victim has collapsed or has stopped breathing, do not delay, phone 000 for an ambulance. Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (24 hours a day). [healthywa.wa.gov.au]
- Severe Pain
Australian scorpions do not cause severe symptoms. Centipedes Apply antiseptic to the bite site. Local redness, itching and pain are common. Severe pain is sometimes experienced. [healthywa.wa.gov.au]
[…] site of the bite Sweating Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea Funnel-web spider: Increased saliva in mouth Confusion Muscular twitching Breathing difficulties Unconsciousness Red-back spider: Severe pain that is spreading Hairs on legs or arms may stand on end [conditions.health.qld.gov.au]
Pain is not an indication to go to a doctor, unless it is very severe and persisting for a number of hours. If the reaction is severe (difficulty breathing, fainting or severe swelling) – call 111 for an ambulance. [stjohn.org.nz]
- Localized Pain
Though a sting can cause severe local pain, the venom is not lethal and no deaths have been recorded. [sielearning.tafensw.edu.au]
A local reaction consists of sharp, localized pain followed by a reddening at the site, which usually resolves itself in 24 hours. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Most cause only transient local pain and/or itching, but about 1 percent of Americans experience severe allergic reactions to insect venom; about fifty die each year. Furthermore, these pests can transmit diseases. [motherearthliving.com]
If bee, European wasp, ant or non-tropical minor jellyfish sting is suspected apply an ice pack for 15 minutes at a time to reduce local pain and swelling. [conditions.health.qld.gov.au]
“Most ant bites cause localized pain and swelling, but typically do not have significant whole-body effects,” says Dr. Patrick Mahaney of Los Angeles, California. [petmd.com]
- Anemia
Rare complications include fever, body aches, nausea, vomiting, hemolytic anemia, rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure. Read full article on brown recluse spider bites. [healthline.com]
- Shivering
[…] pack and a simple analgesic such as paracetamol pain spreading from the bite area swollen or painful glands in the affected limb (armpits for bites on the arm or hand, groin for bites on the foot or leg) sweating all over the body, or only in patches shivering [austin.org.au]
Cardiovascular
- Hypotension
Allergic reactions may manifest with urticaria, angioedema, bronchospasm, refractory hypotension, or a combination; swelling alone is not a manifestation of allergic reaction. [merckmanuals.com]
Severe systemic reaction A severe systemic response to ant venom is marked by clinical manifestations in 2 organ systems distant from the bite/sting, such as angioedema (especially of larynx ), flushing, hoarseness, wheezing/bronchospasm, chest pain, hypotension [dermnetnz.org]
Pain, burning, edema and anaphylaxis can accompany the local skin reaction. 17 Systemic reaction can include generalized urticaria, angioedema, bronchospasm, laryngeal edema and hypotension. 17 Anaphylaxis can occur similar to stings from other insects [podiatrytoday.com]
- Hypertension
The clinical picture of scorpion sting envenoming is dominated by muscle weakness associated with arterial hypertension, cardiac arrythmias, myocarditis, or pulmonary edema. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
- Tachycardia
[…] movements, blurry vision, excessive salivation, tongue fasciculations and slurred speech. 13,14 Excessive motor activity can cause fasciculations, ataxia, restlessness and seizure-like movements. 13,14 Autonomic dysfunction can result in agitation, tachycardia [podiatrytoday.com]
Skin
- Petechiae
Petechiae (say "puh-TEE-kee-eye"): Are tiny, flat red or purple spots in the skin or the lining of the mouth. Do not turn white when you press on them. Range from the size of a pinpoint to the size of a small pea and do not itch or cause pain. [uwhealth.org]
- Purpura
Purpura (say "PURR-pyuh-ruh" or “PURR-puh-ruh”): Is sudden, severe bruising that occurs for no clear reason. May be in one area or all over. Is different than the bruising that happens after you bump into something. [uwhealth.org]
Musculoskeletal
- Muscle Spasm
However, if a person is particularly sensitive to the venom, and if muscle spasms begin right after the sting, then the person may die. Bee and stinger. [humanillnesses.com]
Yes Muscle spasms or stiffness after bite or sting No Muscle spasms or stiffness after bite or sting Do you have pain at the site of the bite or sting? The pain may feel like a burning pain. [uwhealth.org]
[…] spider bites is supportive and includes narcotics for pain and benzodiazepines for muscle spasms. [podiatrytoday.com]
Bites cause muscle pain and spasms in the arms, legs, abdomen, and back. Tremor, sweating, weakness, chills, nausea, vomiting, headache are other symptoms. The bite area is red with a white center. Read full article on black widow spider bites. [healthline.com]
- Muscle Cramp
After an average of 30 minutes the person may develop irukandji syndrome – including severe low back pain, vomiting, muscle cramps, restlessness and anxiety. Dangerously high blood pressure may develop. [mydr.com.au]
Swipe to advance 23 / 28 Puss Caterpillar Stings When a puss caterpillar stings, you may get waves of intense pain, rash, fever, vomiting, and muscle cramps. [webmd.com]
cramping, muscle spasms of the abdomen that can cause acute abdominal pain, nausea, weakness, diaphoresis and facial edema. 3 The majority of widow spider bites are rarely life-threatening and typically resolve in 48 to 72 hours. 3 The treatment of widow [podiatrytoday.com]
Within a short time, however, some victims begin to experience severe muscle cramps and rigidity of the abdominal muscles. [healthofchildren.com]
Neurologic
- Seizure
A toxic reaction can cause symptoms similar to those of an allergic reaction, including nausea, fever, swelling at the site of the sting, fainting, seizures, shock and even death. [aaaai.org]
Mononeuritis and seizures have been reported. Diagnosis is clinical. Apid stings are checked for the stinger. Upper and lower airways are assessed for signs of allergic reaction. [merckmanuals.com]
Chills, fever, rash, pain, nausea, and rarely, more serious symptoms like seizures or coma can follow a bite. The black widow spider, which is found all over North America, has a shiny black body and an orange-red hourglass shape on its underbelly. [m.kidshealth.org]
- Convulsions
A toxic reaction may include gastrointestinal symptoms, fever, headache, dizziness or convulsions, often following an episode of multiple stings. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, drooling, convulsions, and difficulty breathing. Scorpion bites are treated with antivenins and other medications to control muscle spasms and convulsions. [humanillnesses.com]
The venom causes acute pain and can lead to frothing at the mouth, breathing difficulties, and muscle convulsions. Limbs may become immobilized. Though the venom is rarely fatal, its effects can last for as long as seventy-two excruciating hours. [list25.com]
During this time, a feeble pulse, cold clammy skin, unconsciousness, convulsions and even death may result if the victim does not receive medical attention immediately. Additional complications may occur due to the infection of the bite. [tpwd.texas.gov]
Urogenital
- Kidney Failure
Rare complications include fever, body aches, nausea, vomiting, hemolytic anemia, rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure. Read full article on brown recluse spider bites. [healthline.com]
Stings from large hornets or multiple (hundreds or thousands) bee stings have been reported to cause muscle breakdown and kidney failure and death. [emedicinehealth.com]
Treatment
Treatment with extracts of the whole offending insect generally provides good results but the protection afforded by such treatment varies in degree and duration. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Prompt treatment can minimize symptoms and promote recovery. [healthline.com]
Prognosis
Insect Bites Prognosis Most people respond well to home or emergency treatment for bug bites or stings. [emedicinehealth.com]
Prognosis Mammals Prompt treatment and recognizing that even apparently minor bites can have serious consequences are the keys to a good outcome after a mammal bite. Infected bites can be fatal if neglected. [healthofchildren.com]
Etiology
Scabies Definition and Etiology Scabies is an ectoparasite infestation caused by the female mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. [clevelandclinicmeded.com]
Epidemiology
Data including epidemiological aspects, clinical findings and outcomes of treatment were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi(2) test. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Heukelbach J, Feldmeier H: Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans. Lancet Infect Dis 2008;8(5):302-309. Heukelbach J, Feldmeier H: Scabies. Lancet 2006;367(9524):1767-1774. [clevelandclinicmeded.com]
Epidemiology of scorpionism: a global appraisal. Acta Trop. 2010;8(107):71-9. Meredith JT. Bites and Stings. In: Tintinalli JE, Kelen GD, Stapczynski JS, eds. Tintinalli’s Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. Seventh Edition. [podiatrytoday.com]
Pathophysiology
Pathophysiology and Natural History The mode of transmission varies among genera. [clevelandclinicmeded.com]
Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children. Elsevier, St. Louis, 2014, pp. 923-952. Barry M, Kauffman CL, Wilson BB, Rozen E, Rosh AJ. Scabies. Medscape Drugs & Diseases. [podiatrytoday.com]
Prevention
Because of the rapid onset of anaphylaxis, life-saving measures include awareness in persons who are hypersensitive, emergency preparedness and preventing bites and stings from occurring. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
[…] mosquito bites and malaria infection | Cochrane Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website Vector and reservoir control for preventing leishmaniasis | Cochrane This review summarises trials evaluating different measures to prevent leishmaniasis [healthdirect.gov.au]
Free resources are available from the Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention and Education to help. [articles.extension.org]