Health and Hygiene — Question 5

First aid for insect bites-

1. Keep the person calm and remove the sting with the help of tweezers. With the help of an adult, scrap the area on the skin with a blunt knife. Do not cut.
2. Wash the area with soap and cold water. Apply oil or vaseline and cover the area with a sterile gauze.
3. Apply ice on the area swollen due to the sting.

First aid for poisonous snake bites-

1. The patient should be kept calm as panic enhances the heartbeat rate, which circulates the venom faster in the body.
2. All snakebites should be considered as poisonous and treated quickly.
3. The wound should be cleaned with an antiseptic lotion. Potassium permanganate should not be used.
4. To limit the spread of venom, bandage the bitten limb with splint and immobilize it.
5. Do not give any food, water or alcoholic drink to the victim as it will increase his metabolic rate.
6. Try to draw out the venom within 5 minutes of the bite.