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ANIMAL AND INSECT BITES/STINGS
Signs and Symptoms
• Rash, skin break, wound, retained stinger
• Pain, swelling, erythema
• Bleeding or discharge
• Shortness of breath/wheezing/throat tightness
• Hypotension or shock
Treatment
• UNIVERSAL PATIENT CARE PROTOCOL
• Supplemental O (if hypoxemic)
2
• IV/IO in the non-affected limb
• Cardiac monitor
• Position the patient supine
• Elevate the bitten extremity
• Wash the wound with soap and water
• Mark the suspected bite area (circle the area affected to monitor for spreading)
• Ice/cold packs for swelling and pain
• Follow local policy/surgeon policy/CPG
• Allergic reaction
˚ ALLERGIC REACTION PROTOCOL
• If needed, PAIN MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL
• Spider bite, scorpion sting, or snake bite
˚ GLOBAL SPIDER ENVENOMATION PROTOCOL
˚ GLOBAL SNAKE ENVENOMATION PROTOCOL
˚ GLOBAL SCORPION ENVENOMATION PROTOCOL
˚ Confirm the receiving facility has an adequate supply of the appropriate regionally specific
antivenoms
Notes, Cautions, Warnings
• Never attempt to capture/transport a live animal/insect
• Treat Anaphylactic reactions as soon as recognized (ALLERGIC REACTION PROTOCOL)
• Review the country’s environmental concerns before deployment or visitation
• All animals should be considered rabid outside the U.S. until proven otherwise. This excludes
rodents, which do not carry rabies.
• DO NOT apply constricting bandages or tourniquets, as these may worsen local tissue injury
and increase the risk of permanent disability.
• DO NOT cut, suck, electrocute, burn, or use chemicals on the envenomation site.

28 • MEDICAL