The ABC's of First Aid

BITES AND STINGS

  Animal bites can cause serious tissue damage as well as infection. Any time there is a bite by an animal there is a danger of rabies and tetanus. It is very important to capture the animal that has bitten so it can be put under observation for rabies. Clean the wound with soap and water and place it under running water for five minutes. After this place a sterile bandage over the wound. In homeopathy the remedy Lyssin (Hydrophobinum) is reputed to be a prophylactic for rabies as well as a remedy for the negative effects of non rabid dog bites. This remedy is make from the saliva of a mad dog. Ledum and Hypericum are both reputed to be effective in the prevention and treatment of tetanus. Some individuals are allergenic to the sting of insects and may react with anaphylactic shock. The symptoms may include severe swelling of the eyes, lips, tongue and throat, hives, coughing and wheezing, severe itching, difficult breathing, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting, anxiety, weakness, dizziness, bluish tinge to the skin, collapse, and unconsciousness.

Materia Medica

APIS (2*). This remedy is indicated when a bite or sting becomes swollen, edematous, with a red rosy hue, and stinging, burning pains that a > by cold and < by heat. Many feel that this remedy is a specific for bee stings as it is made from the honey bee. This remedy has been used for anaphylactic shock from bee and other stings. It is useful in the stings of jelly fish and centipedes. The individual may become drowsy, confused, and apathetic. They are also thirstless.

ARSENICUM (2). Indicated when a bite has become infected by dead tissue or animal substances have remained in the wound causing sepsis. The lesion takes on a dark, black, unhealthy look and moves toward gangrene. The patient becomes restless anxious, fussy and is prostrated. It is useful in poisonous spider bites that take of a blackish hue.

BEllADONNA (2). This remedy is useful for bites and stings where there is rapid swelling and violent symptoms. There is redness, heat, throbbing, and burning, or redness spreading out in streaks. The face is flushed, eyes glaring, pupils dilated, the body fevered, and an excited mental state. There may even be delirium where the individual becomes furious, rages, and bites and strikes. It is often use in the bites of dogs and is reputed to be useful in the prevention and treatment of rabies (Lyssin).

CALADIUM (1). This remedy is recommended for those individuals who seem to have a sweet sweat that attacks flies. It is said to remove this tendency. It is also indicated in insect bites that burn and sting intensely in small areas such as flea and mosquito bites.

CARBOLIC ACID (1). Useful in bee stings to the face with swelling.

HYPERICUM (3). This remedy often follows Ledum if there is pain following the nerves upward from the site of the bite. It is useful in neuritis, tingling, burning and numbness. It is specific for injuries to places rich in nerves such as the fingers, toes and nails. Hypericum can be distinguished from Ledum by the fact that it is < by cold (Led. > cold). It is reputed to be useful in tetanus.

LACHESIS (2). This remedy is useful when the is hot, bluish-purple, or purple-black swellings which have a tendency toward ulceration and the tendency for the seepage of dark blood. This is sometimes seen in centipede and spider bites. It is especially useful in the bites of poisonous animals, cats, dogs and snakes. The individual may become talkative and rapidly jump from on topic to another. They feel < after sleeping or on sleeping. Snakebites with great loquacity, flushes of heat, and religious insanity. The patient is talkative, over heated, restless uneasy and can not stand anything tight around the neck. They are < after sleep or on sleeping.

LEDUM (3*). A common remedy used in the case of bites of animal as well as puncture wounds. This makes it most appropriate for bites that leave puncture wounds, such a cat, dogs and rats. It is reputed to prevent tetanus and antidote poisons. It is useful in the bites of poisonous or enraged animals, cats, dogs, snakes, fleas, insects, bees, mosquitoes, rats, scorpions, and spiders. It is especially indicated when the part bitten feels cold but the person does not want the part covered or heated in any way. Ledum is cold but is > better by cold applications. The wounds may be bathed externally with Ledum tincture.

LYSSIN (HYDROPHOBINUM) (2). Prevention and treatment of rabies. Also antidotes effects of bite of non-rabid animals, esp dogs. Convulsions: form dazzling or reflected light; from watter or mirror, from even thinking of fluids of any kind; from slightest touch or current of air. Fear of becoming mad; exceeding apprehensive. < Heat of sun; < stooping. The sight and sound of running water or pouring water < aggavates all complaints.

MERCURIUS (1). Bee stings to the tongue.

NATRUM MUR (2). This remedy is said to follow Apis when there are lingering symptoms after a bee sting. It is a chronic complement of Apis. It can also be used in insects bites which take on the appearance of hives. Salt water is also said to an effective external application to bites and stings.

URTICA URENS (1). Itching of the skin like stinging nettles. Red, rashes blotches with burning and itching. Useful in jelly-fish stings and bee stings to the face.

STAPHISAGRIA (1). Reputed to prevent the bites of mesquites in those who are extremely susceptible to them.

For infected bites refer to infected wounds

Repertorium

BITES from animal and insects in general - Apis., Arn., Ars., Bell., calad., calen., carb-ac., echi., HYPER., Lach., LED., merc. Urt-u.

anaphylactic shock - acon., APIS., Ars., carb-ac., Nat-m., Rhus-t., URT-U..

animals of a poisonous nature - Apis., Arn., Ars., bell., calad., HYPER., lach., LED., nat-m..

bluish-purple, or purple-black, hot swellings - Lach..

cats - HYPER., Lach., LED.

cat scratch fever - hyper., led..

cold, part biten feels but is > by cold - LED..

dark, black, unhealthy look and moves toward gangrene - ARS.

dogs - Apis., ars., BELL., calad., Lach., Led., LYSS., Nat-m..

fleas - calad., hyper., Led., staph.

flies, itch and burn - calad.

injuries to places rich in nerves - HYPER.

leeches - lach.

mosquitoes - calad., led., staph.

modalities -

< by cold - Hyper..

> by cold and < by heat - Apis..

> better by cold applications although feels cold - LED..

nerves, pain, moves upward from the site of the bite - Hyper.

rats - hyper., led..

redness, heat, throbbing, and burning, or redness spreading out in streaks - Bell.

scorpions - hyper., led..

snakes - Apis., BEll., Hyper., LACH., LED..

spiders - ars., apis., Hyper., Led..

stings of insects - APIS., arn., Bell., Calad., Carb-ac., HYPER., LED., Nat-m..

bee stings - APIS, arn., LED., nat-m.

bee stings to face - APIS., arn., Carbo-ac., HYPER., Lach., LED., Nat-m., URT-U.

face, to the, with swelling - carb-ac.

lingering symptoms after a bee sting - nat-m..

tongue - merc..

face with swelling - APIS., Carbo-ac., Hyper., Lach., Led., nat-m., urt-u..

eye., acon - APIS., arn.,

tongue - acon., APIS., arn., bell., merc.,

centipede - Apis, led.

black or bluish discoloration - ars., lach.

jelly-fish - Apis., hyper., urt-u..

scopions - apis, led., hyper..

black or bluish discoloration, ars., lach..

wasp - apis., hyper., Led., vesp..

yellow jacket - apis., hyper., Led..

sweat, sweet, that attacks flies -Calad..

swollen, bite or sting becomes, edematous, with a red rosy hue, and stinging, burning pains that a > by cold and < by heat - APIS..