Bites and Stings, Sports Medicine

Steven A. Greer, MD, CAQ, FAAFP Reviewed 04/2019

BASICS

Arthropods inoculate poison or invading tissue and transmit diseases. Inoculation of poison may occur as either a bite or a sting. This discussion is limited to the irritative, poisonous, aller...

DIAGNOSIS

PHYSICAL EXAM

Signs and symptoms 1,3,4,5:
- Erythema
- Pain
- Heat
- Swelling
- Itching
- Blisters
- Secondary infection: cellulitis, abscess
- Necrosis
- Ulceration
- Drainage
Toxic reactions (nonantigenic):
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- ...

TREATMENT

Long-term treatment 5:
- Recommended for those with hypersensitivity reaction but may be considered for individuals with large local reactions
- Self-administered epinephrine device
- Hypersensitivit...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

No activity restrictions

Patient Monitoring

Follow-up wound care

DIET

No special diet; nothing by mouth if severe systemic reaction

PATIENT EDUCATION

Protective meas...

REFERENCES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Necrotic arachnidism—Pacific Northwest, 1988-1996. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1996;45(21):433–436.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevent...

CLINICAL PEARLS

Prevention is often more effective than treatment.
Vigilant observation for systemic reaction allows for early treatment and better recovery.
Allergic reactions worsen with each successi...

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