Venomous critter identification, sting symptoms and wound first aid for Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas
Table of Contents
First Aid Kit
The following are recommended items for a first aid kit: modify to suit your particular needs. When in doubt, always seek advice from a licensed healthcare professional.
All agents should be used according to the manufacturer’s use and dosing recommendations.
Glossary
Anaphylactic shock — Severe and sometimes fatal systemic reaction upon a second exposure to a specific antigen (as wasp venom or penicillin) after previous episode characterized by respiratory symptoms, fainting, itching, and hives.
Antihistamine — Medicines that oppose the actions of histamine and are used especially for treating allergic reactions, cold symptoms, and motion sickness.
Analgesic — A drug or medication given to reduce pain without resulting in loss of consciousness.
Benzocaine — Local anesthetic.
Corticosteroids — Any of the steroid hormones made by the outer layer of the adrenal gland; e.g., Cortisol.
Envenomation — The injection of a poisonous material by sting, spine, bite or other similar means.
Neurotoxic — Toxic to the nerves or nervous tissue.
Systemic Reaction — Affecting the body generally; dizziness, fainting, difficulty breathing, swollen lymph nodes.
Tourniquet — A device, typically a tightly encircling bandage, used to check bleeding by temporarily stopping the flow of blood through a large artery in a limb.
Caterpillars
Asp | Buck Moth | Hag Moth |
Saddleback | Io Moth | Spiny Oak Slug |
Stinging Rose |
Sting Symptoms
Local Reactions
First Aid
SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR:
Insects
Insect | Symptoms | First Aid |
Fire Ant |
•Multiple stings • Severe burning sensation • Small blister or whitish pustule |
• Wash wound • Apply cool compress • Reaction far from sting suggests risk for anaphylaxis with future stings |
Carpenter Ant |
• Injects no venom | • Remove stinger • Wash wound • Apply topical cream containing antihistamines, corticosteroids, benzocaine, or menthol • Or, apply baking soda paste • Use pain reliever if necessary |
Harvester Ant |
• Painful bite • Venom may travel along lymph vessels and create serious medical problems |
|
Paper Wasp |
• Multiple stings • Painful bite • Swelling |
• Wash wound • Apply topical cream containing antihistamines, corticosteroids, benzocaine, or menthol • Or, apply baking soda paste |
Yellow Jacket |
• Central white spot with red
halo • Local swelling |
|
Bald Face Wasp |
• Painful sting | • Wash wound • Apply topical cream containing antihistamines, corticosteroids, benzocaine, or menthol • Apply baking soda paste |
Cicada Killer Wasp |
• Typically do not sting • Have a long stinger |
• Wash wound • Apply topical cream containing antihistamines, corticosteroids, benzocaine, or menthol |
Tarantula Hawk Wasp |
• Typically do not sting | |
Velvet Ant Wasp (female) |
• Females sting upon extreme provocation | • Wash wound • Apply ice pack • Take analgesic if necessary |
Millipedes and Centipedes
Symptoms | First Aid | |
Desert Centipede |
• Multiple bites • Very painful • Swelling • Lymph Node swelling • Redness • Headache • Irregular heartbeat • Nausea and vomiting • Anxiety |
• Apply cool, moist packs • Apply topical creams containing benzocaine |
Garden Centipede |
||
Millipede |
• Not dangerous to humans • Secrete staining chemical • Chemical could blister skin |
Scorpions
Symptoms | First Aid | |
Striped Bark |
• Multiple stings • Local burning pain • Swelling • Numbness • Nausea and vomiting • Irregular heart beat • Blood pressure change • Blurred vision • Difficulty swallowing |
• Cool packs • Topical medication • Benadryl® by mouth *Seek Medical Attention Immediately for face numbness or a metallic taste in the mouth. |
Snakes
Pit Vipers
Mojave Rattlesnake (Neurotoxic) |
Timber Rattlesnake (Neurotoxic) |
Banded Rock | Desert Massasuaga |
Mottled Rock Rattlesnake | Northern Blacktail | Western Diamondback | Prairie Rattlesnake |
Western Massasuaga | Western Pygmy |
Copperheads and Cottonmouths
Broad-banded Copperhead | Southern Copperhead | Trans-Pecos Copperhead | Western Cottomouth |
Coral Snake
“Red on Black Venom Lack, Red on Yellow Kill a Fellow” | ||
Coral Snake * (Neurotoxic) |
Milk Snake Not Poisonous |
Bite Symptoms
Mild Envenomation
* Symptoms of Coral Snake bites may be delayed for 10-12 hours. If it is likely that the bite is from a coral snake, the victim should be taken to a hospital for observation and treatment.
First Aid
Call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for more instructions.
Spiders
Symptoms | First Aid | |
Black Widow (Neurotoxic) |
• Pin prick bite • Tingling sensation • Muscle and abdominal cramping • Nausea, vomiting, and weakness • Difficult breathing |
• Benadryl® by mouth • Seek Medical Attention Immediately |
Brown Recluse |
• Stinging sensation • Painful bite site after 6-8 hours • Pale circle with red spot • Hot bite site • Fever • Joint pain • Nausea and vomiting |
• Apply cool packs • Seek Medical Attention Immediately |
Yellow Sac |
• Painful bite • Swelling • Tissue damage |
• Apply cool packs • Benadryl® by mouth • Consult doctor |
Acknowledgments
Paul H. Risk, Ph.D., Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas
Ricardo Bessin, Ph.D., Kentucky Cooperative Extension
James Castner, UF, Entomology and Nematology Department
Troy and Terry Hibbits
Carolyn Houghton Insall, M.S., Central Texas Poison Center
Jim Kalisch, University of Nebraska, Dept. of Entomology
Mark M. Lucas
Jude McNally
Gary Nafis
Jerry A. Payne, USDA Ag Research Service, Bugwood. Org
Jason Penney
Michael A. Seymour, LSU Agricultural Center
Emedicine Clinical Knowledge Base
Texas Department of State Health Services
The Nature of Things
www.nmherps.com
Jim T. Criswell, Ph.D., Oklahoma State University
Jean Hite, Oklahoma State University
Carolyn Houghton Insall, M.S., Central Texas Poison Center
William I. Lutterschmidt, Ph.D., Sam Houston State University
Tracie Nalie, Oklahoma State University
Paul H. Risk, Ph.D., Stephen F. Austin State University
Southwest Center for Agricultural Health,
Injury Prevention, and Education
11937 U.S. Hwy 271
Tyler, TX 75708-3154
Phone: (903) 877 5896
Fax: (903) 877-7014
E-mail: agcenter@uthct.edu
Web: www.swagcenter.org
Development and production of this publication was supported by CDC/NIOSH Cooperative Agreement U50 OH07541.
This publication has been reformatted. It was first published by the Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education as a corner-bound set of laminated cards, approximately 4' x 6', so that it is convenient to carry. Contact the Southwest Center to determine the availability of the original format. Contact information appears at the end of this publication.
Disclaimer — The information contained in Bites, Stings, and Venomous Things tips cards is believed to be accurate and reliable; however, The Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education (SW Ag center) and other affiliated organizations assume no responsibility for any errors appearing in the information. In addition, neither The SW Ag Center or their affiliated organizations assume responsibility for the use of the information provided. The contents of these tip cards do not necessarily represent the official views of The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) or any other affiliates.
Call the Poison Control Center toll-free for more information about venomous critters.
Disclaimer and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More