Are bites dangerous from insects such as fleas , sand files, mosquitoes, wasps, hornets, bees, or chiggers? If someone is allergic to the sting of these insects, such bites can be quite serious requiring immediate treatment with antivenin.

What is the first-aid treatment for insect bites?
If the sting has been left in place, it should be gently picked out. It is important not to break it in attempts at removal. If a person is known to be allergic to a particular type of bite and is bitten on an extremity, it might be well to place a tourniquet above the bite on the extremity so that the absorption of the poison will take place more slowly. It is important not to allow a tourniquet to remain in place for more than twenty minutes at a time.
Release it for ten minutes and then reapply. Medical advice should be obtained if a great degree of swelling takes place. The physician will give an anti allergic medication or will take other measures to counteract the effect of the bite. Anti veteract extracts are available in many hospitals for those who are extremely allergic to insect bites. It is important not to scratch a bite, as this will cause secondary infection and will lead to greater absorption of the poison.

Is a bite from a black widow spider a serious injury?
Yes, particularly when it affects young children. Occasional fatalities have been reported. Bites from these spiders are characterized by severe abdominal pain and board-like stiffness of the abdominal muscles.

How can one recognize a black widow spider?
It has a rounded, jet-black body with a red marking on its belly in the shape of an hourglass.This is the female of the species and the one to be avoided. The black widow mate does not bite.

What is the first-aid treatment for a black widow spider bite?
It should be treated just like snakebite, by making a crossed incision over the bite and sucking out the poison. A tourniquet should be applied above the bite just tight enough to cut off the return circulation. The pulse should still be obtainable.
Medical consultation should be sought quickly as there are counteracting medications to the bite of a black widow spider. Physical exertion should be avoided as much as possible.

What should be done for the bites of the other spiders, poisonous centipedes, scorpions, or tarantulas?
These should be treated similarly to a black widow spider bite.
Are the stings of centipedes, scorpions, or tarantulas very serious?
Usually not. The only time a sting from these insects endangers life is when it happens to a young infant or when the bite is on the face or neck. However, stings from these insects may produce severe temporary symptoms and great discomfort.

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