Safety

Recognizing and Preventing Insect Bites/Stings

Itchy, red swollen bumps on the skin are an all-too-familiar summer sign that bugs — and bug bites — are flourishing. That annoying itch may be a good sign, however.

“Itchy is normal; tender is not,” when it comes to bug bites. The main thing to watch for would be whether the bite is infected. It is normal for a bug bite to be a little red or swollen, and it may even blister. But the bite area should be more itchy than sore. If it becomes tender, that may be a sign of infection.

Other signs of possible infection are redness extending beyond the immediate bug bite, drainage of pus, or wors­ening, rather than improvement, of the site over time.

Antihistamines can be very effective in relieving the itch and decreasing the swelling, and topical steroids, such as hydrocortisone, also work well. Both can be found in touch sticks that can make it easier to target the affected area.

Days spent outdoors either while at work or at home can mean ant, tick, wasp, and bee stings that can be serious. Following are some of the most common bites and stings, what to watch for, and some ways to treat them.

Bee/wasp stings: Taking an antihistamine or ibuprofen immediately after being stung may help reduce the pain or swelling. People with known allergies to bee or wasp stings should seek immediate medical care, carry an epinephrine (epi) pen, and know how to use the pen.

Tick bites: It’s important to remove the embedded head of the tick from the bite. Try using a pair of tweezers and pulling back slowly or warming the tweezers to get the bug to release its head from the skin. Another method is to apply petroleum jelly, which suffocates the tick by blocking its air passages. If you see an expanding circle of redness that radiates out from the bug bite, it could be a sign of Lyme disease, and the bite needs to be evaluated by a doctor.

Spider bites: Most routine spider bites can be handled the same as other insect bites. The bite from a brown recluse spider, however, means a trip to the doctor. You’ll know because the bite will develop a central purple color within 2 to 3 days, often with a central crater or ulcer.

Insect Bite Prevention Away From Work

Prevention includes wearing long sleeves or pants if you're venturing into wooded areas or fields where bugs are likely. An insect repellent with DEET (less than 10 percent is generally considered safe for children) is the most effective and can also be sprayed on clothes. Avoid applying it to areas (hands or face) where children might ingest it. For infants, it is best to protect them with clothing or mosquito netting.

Insect Bite Prevention at Work

Take the time to check for bees, wasps, hornets, or spiders that may be nesting inside or around your customer’s mailbox. If you do encounter nesting insects, report the potential hazard to your supervisor or postmas­ter and ask that he/she contacts the customer to remove the insects.

The purpose and intent of the above information is to assist and promote timely employee safety awareness — both on-the-job and off-the-job. It is not to be construed as new postal policy.