Animal Bites

The home inspector goes where many do not. It is not unusual to find ourselves in dark, cramped spaces. Many times, these spaces have access from the exterior of the home. As such, and especially in colder months or in inclement weather, animals will venture into these spaces. Sometimes they build nests there. Especially in crawlspaces, unused attics, seldom-used garages and storage sheds, the inspector may startle an animal. When an animal is frightened and cornered, anything can happen, including bites. Don’t forget that the same can hold true for domesticated pets, such as the homeowner’s cat or dog that may be sleeping in a room the inspector enters.

Domestic pets cause the majority of animal bites. Dogs are more likely than cats to attack and bite. Cat bites, however, are more likely to cause infection. Bites from non-immunized domestic animals, as well as wild animals, carry the risk of rabies. Rabies is more common in raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes than in cats and dogs. Rabbits, squirrels and other rodents rarely carry rabies.

If an animal bites you, follow these guidelines:

·         If the bite barely breaks the skin and there is no danger of rabies, treat it as a minor wound. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Apply an antibiotic cream to prevent infection, and cover the bite with a clean bandage.

·         If the animal bite creates a deep puncture of the skin or the skin is badly torn and bleeding, apply pressure with a clean, dry cloth to stop the bleeding and seek medical attention immediately.

·         If you notice signs of infection, such as swelling, redness, increased pain or oozing, seek medical attention immediately.

·         If you suspect the bite was caused by an animal that might carry rabies — including from a wild or domestic animal of unknown immunization status — seek medical attention immediately. Rabies can be fatal in humans. Doctors recommend getting a tetanus shot every 10 years. If your last one was more than five years ago and your wound is deep or dirty, your doctor may recommend a booster. You should have the booster within 48 hours of the injury.

Snake Bites

The Danger of Snake Bites

Each year, nearly 8,000 people in the United States are bitten by poisonous snakes. Even a bite from a so-called “harmless” snake can cause infection or an allergic reaction in some people. Those who frequent wilderness areas, camp, hike, picnic, or live in or near a snake’s natural habitat should be aware of the potential dangers posed by venomous snakes.

Some poisonous varieties commonly found in the U.S. include:

·         rattlesnakes;

·         copperheads;

·         cottonmouths or water moccasins; and

·         coral snakes.

What to Do in the Case of a Snake Bite

The American Red Cross recommends the following steps if someone is bitten by a snake:

·         Call for emergency assistance immediately. Medical intervention in this type of an injury is crucial.

·         Wash the bite with soap and water.

·         A suction device can be placed over the bite to help draw the venom out of the wound without making cuts. These devices are often included in commercial snake bite kits.

·         Apply a bandage, wrapped 2 to 4 inches above the bite, to help slow the venom. Do not wrap the bandage so tightly that it cuts off the flow of blood from a vein or artery. The bandage should be loose enough to slip a finger under it.

·         Immobilize the bitten area and keep it lower than the heart.

·         Cover the area with a clean, cool compress, moist dressing, or an ice pack to minimize swelling and discomfort until emergency personnel arrive. Don’t apply ice directly to the skin — wrap the ice in a towel, piece of cloth, or some other material.

·         Monitor the bite victim’s vital signs (ABC).

·         Treat for shock. If the victim seems confused, shivers or complains of being cold, seems unsteady or faint, or is breathing in short, rapid breaths, lay him/her down with the head slightly lower than the trunk and, if possible, elevate the legs, and cover him/her with a coat or blanket.

Most often, physicians use an anti-venom called antivenin — an antidote to snake venom —

to treat serious snake bites. Antivenin is derived from antibodies created in a horse’s blood

serum when the animal is injected with snake venom. Because antivenin is obtained from

horses, snake bite victims sensitive to horse products must be carefully managed.

Preventing Snake Bites

Some bites, such as those inflicted when you accidentally step on a snake in the woods, are

nearly impossible to prevent. However, there are precautions everyone can take to reduce

their chances of being bitten by a snake. These include:

·         Leave snakes alone. Many people are bitten because they try to kill a snake or get too close to it.

·         Stay out of tall grass and vegetation unless you’re wearing ankle-high, thick leather boots and other protection.

·         Keep hands and feet out of areas you cannot see.

·         If you see a snake nearby, do not pick up rocks or firewood unless you are well beyond its striking distance.

·         Be cautious and alert when entering crawlspaces and while inspecting in areas that have tall vegetation, as well as areas around ponds and large rocks.

Bee Stings

If you encounter bees or a hive, get away from the area quickly. Bees release a pheromone when in danger in order to attract other bees. If you’re still around when the reinforcements arrive, they will

probably sting you.

If you do get stung, remove any stingers immediately. There is no need to scrape off the bee stingers — just remove them. It’s OK to pull stingers out with your fingers. The longer the bee’s stinger is allowed to remain in the body, the more severe the reaction will be.

If the victim is allergic to bees, check to see if the victim is carrying an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen®). If so, help the victim use the device as directed. If the victim is supposed to carry one of these devices and does not have it, call 911 immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear.

Watch any victim closely for signs of anaphylaxis, including:

·         itching;

·         redness;

·         hives (raised welts); or

·         shortness of breath.

If there is any concern that the victim may be developing anaphylaxis, call 911 immediately. Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benedryl®), can slow an anaphylactic reaction, but will not stop it.

Non-allergic victims will almost always develop local reactions to bee stings. Redness, swelling and pain are all common at the site of the bee sting. The pain will usually go away fairly quickly, but swelling may last for more than a day. Use an ice pack to reduce swelling at the site.

It’s common to develop some itching at the bee sting site. Antihistamines or calamine lotion should help.

Seek medical intervention immediately if the victim was stung more than 10 times, or if there are bee stings inside the nose, mouth or throat. Swelling from these stings can cause shortness of breath, even in non-allergic victims.

Use ibuprofen or acetaminophen for minor pain relief. For tenderness at the site, try a bee-sting swab or alcohol swab to dull the pain.

Tips

Conventional wisdom says to scrape bee stingers away from the skin because pinching the venom sack could push extra venom into the victim. In fact, how fast you get the stinger out is much more important than how it’s removed.

Honey bees leave a stinger behind when they sting a victim. Wasps and hornets do not leave a stinger, and are capable of stinging a victim multiple times. These relatives of the honey bee can also cause an anaphylactic reaction.

Minor Cuts and Scrapes

Minor cuts and scrapes usually don’t require a trip to the emergency room. Yet proper care is essential to avoid infection and other complications. These guidelines can help you care for simple wounds.

Stop the bleeding.

Minor cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding on their own. If they don’t, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. Hold the pressure continuously for 20 to 30 minutes. Don’t keep checking to see if the bleeding has stopped because this may damage or dislodge the fresh clot that’s forming and cause the bleeding to resume.

If the blood spurts or continues to flow after continuous pressure, seek medical assistance.

Clean the wound.

Rinse out the wound with clear water. Soap can irritate the wound, so try to keep it out of the actual wound. If dirt or debris remain in the wound after washing, use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to remove the particles. If debris remain embedded in the wound after cleaning, seek medical help.

Thoroughly clean the wound to reduce the risk of tetanus.

To clean the area around the wound, use soap and a washcloth. There’s no need to use hydrogen peroxide, iodine or an iodine-containing cleanser. These substances irritate living cells. If you choose to use them, don’t apply them directly on the wound.

Apply an antibiotic.

After you clean the wound, apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment, such as Neosporin®, bacitracin or other antibiotic product, to help keep the surface moist and to prevent infection. They can help prevent infection and allow your body’s healing process to close the wound more efficiently.

Cover the wound.

Bandages can help keep the wound clean and keep harmful bacteria out. After the wound has healed enough to make infection unlikely, exposure to the air will speed the healing process.

Change the dressing often.

Change the dressing at least daily or whenever it becomes wet or dirty. If you’re allergic to the adhesive used in most bandages, switch to adhesive-free dressings or sterile gauze held in place with paper tape, gauze roll, or a loosely applied elastic bandage. These supplies are available at pharmacies.

Get stitches for deep wounds.

A wound that cuts deeply through the skin or is gaping or jagged-edged and has fat or muscle protruding usually requires stitches. A strip or two of surgical tape may hold a minor cut together, but if you can’t easily close the wound, seek medical assistance as soon as possible. Proper closure within a few hours minimizes the risk of infection.

Watch for signs of infection. Seek medical help if the wound isn’t healing or if you notice any redness, drainage, warmth or swelling.

When to Get a Tetanus Shot

Doctors recommend that you get a tetanus shot every 10 years. If your wound is deep or dirty and your last shot was more than five years ago, your doctor may recommend a tetanus shot booster. Get the booster within 48 hour