Two things happen when the weather warms up—people spend more time outside and insects emerge. It is inevitable that people will get stung or bitten. Fortunately, most insect bites represent very little threat to people.

Bee and wasp stings are the most common type of insect stings in New Mexico. The most dangerous result of a bee or wasp sting is an anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and treatment must be started as soon as possible, as death can result in as little as 10 minutes. Emergency medical services (EMS) should be alerted as soon as possible. The victim should be laid flat on their back and their feet elevated to prevent shock and maintain circulation to the brain. Swelling in the airway can cause difficulty breathing. Maintaining an open airway is very important. Medical treatment is epinephrine by injection. People who are known or suspected of being allergic to bees or wasps should carry an epinephrine injection kit with them at all times, especially if they spend time outdoors. Epinephrine injection kits require a prescription; those who have serious allergies to food, insect bites or anything else should talk to their doctor about a prescription. Over-the-counter antihistamines can also slow the reaction and can be used for allergic reactions as long as the victim can swallow safely.

Black widow spiders are abundant in New Mexico. They prefer to live in dark places such as storage sheds, trash bins, garages, and woodpiles. Extreme caution should be used when reaching into or entering dark spaces. Only the female spider is dangerous to humans. The black widow spider is black and shiny with a round abdomen. They are usually from one-half to one inch in length. The spider can be identified by a red or orange marking on the underside of the abdomen, usually in the shape of an hourglass. Black widow venom can cause severe muscle pain and cramps within two hours. Other symptoms include headache, sweating, weakness, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing and elevated blood pressure. Black widow spider bites are rarely fatal; only one person has died in the US from a black widow spider bite in the last 10 years. Young children, the elderly, and people with high blood pressure are the most at risk for developing symptoms from a bite. If cramps develop, the victim should be taken to the hospital. Medical treatment is usually aimed at treating muscle spasms and pain. Black widow antivenin is rarely necessary but is available for emergency use.

Ticks carry a number of diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Tularemia. Most of these diseases have symptoms similar to the flu such as fever, chills, headache, nausea, and vomiting. The risk of tick bites is greatest in the summer. A habit should be made of checking yourself and others, especially children, after outdoor activities. Check especially the scalp behind the head and neck, in and around the ears, and behind joints. Light-colored, tightly woven clothing is recommended to make spotting ticks easier and bites less likely. Enclosed shoes, long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into boots are recommended to reduce the risk of tick bites. Insect repellant containing DEET also reduces the risk of tick bites. Any tick bite accompanied by symptoms should be reported quickly to your doctor. Mosquitoes can transmit viral diseases that can cause encephalitis, including West Nile virus. People should avoid being out during peak hours of mosquito activity such as early morning and dusk. Insect repellant and avoiding areas and times of mosquito activity are recommended to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.

References: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus (queried on insect bites), http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1998/07jul/norris.htm.

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