Bites and stings - first aid

Australia has many animal and insect species that bite or sting. In general, first aid includes bandaging the wound and keeping the person immobile until medical help arrives. Try to keep the person calm and reassured. Don’t tourniquet or cut the wound.

Always seek immediate medical help and call triple zero (000) for an ambulance in an emergency. If the person collapses or stops breathing, you may need to apply CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) until medical help arrives.

If you can – and if it’s safe to do so – capture the animal or insect for identification purposes, in case antivenom is required. However, it is important not to waste time doing this unnecessarily.

This fact sheet includes advice on basic first aid procedures only. In all instances, it is important to seek proper medical treatment.

Use the pressure immobilisation method
The pressure immobilisation method is designed to slow the movement of venom through the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of tubes that drains fluid (lymph) from the body’s tissues and empties it back into the bloodstream.

Bandaging the wound firmly tends to squash the nearby lymph vessels, which helps to prevent the venom from leaving the puncture site. If you don’t have any bandages at hand, use whatever is available including clothing, stockings or towels. Firmly bandage the wound but not tight enough to cause numbness, tingling or any colour change to the extremities.

Immobilising the limb is another way to slow the spread of venom, sometimes for hours at a time. This is because the lymphatic system relies on muscle movement in order to squeeze lymph through its vessels. Splint the limb, if necessary.

In general, try to keep the patient calm and reassured. Always seek immediate medical help.

Don’t tourniquet or cut the wound
In the past, a tight tourniquet was recommended as the best method to cut off blood flow and prevent the circulation of venom through the body. This is no longer advised. Do not cut a bite to release the venom or try to suck the venom out of the wound. Don’t give the affected person alcohol to drink.

First aid – land creatures

• Bees – remove the sting by sliding or scraping your fingernail across it, rather than pulling at it. Wash the area and apply ice to reduce the swelling. If the person has an allergy to beestings, they can fall into a life-threatening state of anaphylactic shock. The only treatment is an injection of adrenaline. Immobilise the person, apply pressure to the bite and seek immediate medical help.
• Funnel web spider – seek immediate medical help. Bandage the wound firmly. Use a second bandage to wrap the arm or leg and splint the affected limb. Antivenom is required.
• Red-back spider – wash the affected area well and soothe the pain with icepacks or iced water. Don’t bandage the area.
• Snakes – seek immediate medical help. Not all Australian snakes are venomous; however, you should follow the basic first aid techniques, just in case. Don’t wash the skin, as traces of venom left behind might be needed by medical personnel to identify the snake. Bandage and splint the limb. If the person was bitten on the torso, make sure your bandaging doesn’t restrict their breathing.
• Tick – if a tick has burrowed into the skin, grasp it behind the head with fine tweezers, as close to the skin as possible. Gently pull it straight out with steady pressure, making sure you remove the entire body. After removal of the tick, wash the site with warm soapy water and then a mild antiseptic. Cover the site with a ‘bandaid’ type dressing for 24 hours. Keep the removed tick for identification purposes if the person’s condition gets worse. Do not use methylated spirits, alcohol or anything else to kill the tick before removing as this may cause the tick to inject more poison. In the case of the Australian paralysis tick, antivenom is available. A tetanus injection might also be needed.
• European wasps – clean the affected area with soap and warm water. Use an icepack to reduce swelling and pain. Use pain-relieving medication and creams. Be alert for signs of anaphylaxis, which is a severe and life-threatening type of allergic reaction. Prolonged swelling at the site of the sting may respond to antihistamines – see your pharmacist for further advice.

• Blue-ringed octopus – a bite can cause paralysis. Seek immediate medical help. You may need to commence CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Even if your efforts seem futile, continue CPR until medical help arrives.
• Box jellyfish – seek immediate medical help. Stop the tentacles from stinging by pouring vinegar over them. Immobilise the limb and bandage firmly. You may need to commence CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Antivenom is available.
• Jellyfish – wash the tentacles off with water. Use icepacks or anaesthetic cream to reduce the pain.
• Stonefish – seek immediate medical help. Bathe the area in warm water. Antivenom is available. A tetanus injection might be needed.

• In an emergency, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance
• Victorian Poisons Information Centre Tel. 131 126
• Emergency department of the nearest hospital
• Nurse-on-Call Tel. 1300 606 024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
• Your doctor
• Your local pharmacist
• Anaphylaxis Australia Tel. 1300 728 000

• In most cases, firmly bandage the site of the wound and keep the person still.
• Don’t use tourniquets, cut the puncture site or try to suck out the venom.
• In the case of ticks, don’t try to kill the tick before removal as this may cause it to inject more poison.
• Always seek medical advice as quickly as you can.

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