PRL and environment (II) Stings and bites

Continuing with our series of posts dedicated to Occupational Risk Prevention (PRL) and the environment, which we began with the chapter of Extreme Temperatures, this time we review another of the risks for personnel who work in the natural environment: those caused by fauna, and which always depend on the type of work, the geographical region, the season of the year and the time we spend outside; bites and stings.

Before reviewing these risks, we must remember that employers must train outdoor personnel to prevent these occupational hazards, especially with regard to the identification of risks and recommendations to prevent and control exposure to these risks.

In this post, we briefly analyze stings and bites; insects (mainly hymenoptera), snakes, how to protect ourselves against ticks and the arrival of the month of March (and even earlier) the presence of pine processionaries in our forests, since we consider these to be the main biological risks to which we are exposed in our daily work in the natural environment. Below we will give some basic instructions on how to protect ourselves and some first aid on how to act in the event of an incident.

Insect bites

When we work in the natural environment, we run the risk of suffering insect bites, mainly hymenoptera such as bees and wasps, or also spiders, scorpions, scolopendra, etc. Although most of these bites only cause mild or severe discomfort depending on the species, some can cause serious allergic reactions that require emergency medical attention.

As general recommendations to prevent them, we should take the following actions:

• During marches or moments of ascent, exercise extreme attention when clinging to rocks or branches.
• Do not consciously approach honeycombs or wasp nests and if the approach has been accidental, move away with slow movements. These honeycombs are located in the most remote places, for example where we usually see them the most, given our work, is inside the alveoli of the repopulation plants.
• Use extreme caution when approaching plants that are in bloom, whenever possible.
• If a dangerous insect is flying around us, it is best to stay still and calm, since if we try to kill it it can cause it to bite us.
• If several insects attack us, the best thing, without a doubt, is to run away. For example, bees can release a chemical that attracts other bees when they sting.
• Wear plain, light-colored clothing that covers as much of our body as possible.
• And remember that, if an insect sneaks into our vehicle, we must stop slowly and open all the windows.
• If you drink in containers that contain sugary liquids, first check that there are no bees or wasps on the edges or inside.
• When leaving clothes on the floor after a break, check before putting them on that there are no dangerous insects in the folds.

If, even after carrying out the above measures, we are bitten by one of these flying insects, then a series of first aid measures are indicated that may be useful to us:

• Wash the bite site with soap and water.
• Remove the stinger by putting gauze on the area (never squeeze the stinger, or use tweezers)
• Put ice on the bite to reduce inflammation.
• Do not scratch the bite to avoid causing more inflammation, itching and risk of infection.
• Try to stay close to someone to ensure care in case of an allergic reaction, and in this case, transfer the victim to a health facility, monitoring vital signs in serious cases.

Snake bites

To differentiate whether a snake is venomous or not, we must bear in mind that the bite of a venomous snake is characterized by the presence of two small bleeding holes, while the bites of non-venomous snakes have a series of bleeding spots in a row, without significant pain or inflammation as no venom has been inoculated. The main preventive measures that we must take into account when carrying out our work in the natural environment, to avoid being bitten by snakes, will be:

• Wear leather or rubber boots, or even leggings, when crossing a wooded area.
• Use a simple stick when walking through closed wooded areas to hit the spot where each step will be taken. This will cause snakes to flee along the way and will help to observe them before an accident occurs.
• We will never catch a snake with our hands, because they will instinctively defend themselves against any harm that is tried to cause them and will act aggressively.
• We will not use our hands when in the field we want to search for something between logs or under them, or inside caves or crevices, since these places are favorite places of refuge for snakes of all kinds.
• Before we sit down to rest anywhere, we will take a close look at the area chosen to do so. Snakes like to rest behind large fallen logs on roads or in the woods and often climb them in search of the sun's rays.
• We will try, whenever possible, to always be accompanied by another person, since if any accident occurs, the other person can help us.

In the case of being bitten by a venomous snake, we must consider the following:

• Do not make incisions at the site of the bite, as the risk of infection and bleeding are enhanced.
• Do not do tourniquets because it restricts the action of the poison in a certain area of the body, this allows it to be more concentrated and cause greater or more severe damage.
• Do not use cold compresses or ice, because they could worsen local injuries caused by the poison.
• Do not administer alcoholic beverages.
• Do not suck with your mouth. This may promote infections at the site of the bite.

Following the following steps to assist the injured person:

• Calm the person down and put them to rest.
• Try to identify the type of animal that caused the injury.
• Clean the bitten area with soap to disinfect it.
• Remove any tourniquet that has been made.
• Keep the person hydrated.
• Immobilize the bitten limb.
• And most importantly: Call the emergency medical number 112 or take the patient immediately to the nearest hospital or health center in the area to receive the antifungal serum as soon as possible.

How to act in the presence of ticks

Another risk to which we are exposed when carrying out environmental surveillance work in the natural environment are annoying tick bites, especially when carrying out environmental monitoring of power lines when crossing areas of dense vegetation, scrub, high pastures or forest areas.

Generally, a tick attached to the body does not cause pain, most often causing a small injury to the skin affected by the bite.

It is important to prevent tick bites and if one has bitten us, it should be removed as soon as possible.

The main preventive measures that we must take into account to avoid these unpleasant bites are:

• Wear boots, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts.
• The pants should be worn inside the socks to prevent ticks from climbing.
• Wear light-colored clothing to see ticks more easily and thus prevent their passage to the skin.
• It is recommended to check your clothes and skin from time to time to make sure there are no ticks.
• Once at home, clothes should be removed and all areas of the skin, including the scalp, inspected very well, as ticks can quickly climb all over the body.

If we detect a parasite in our body, we must remove it completely, to avoid that if we leave any remains it can cause us an infection. The main steps to follow will be:

• With tweezers, hold the tick from the head, as close to our skin as possible.
• Pull out with a slow, firm motion to detach the tick, taking care not to leave the head embedded in the skin.
• Thoroughly wash the entire area with soap and water for a few minutes. Rinse the area and disinfect the bite site.

If after a few days after the tick bite you notice symptoms similar to those of the flu, fever, headache or muscle pain, you should go to the doctor and do not forget to report the bite received, so that he can make an adequate assessment of the situation.

Urticaria by procesionaria del pino

The pine processionary is known above all for its stinging caterpillars, which at the beginning of spring leave their characteristic pockets, forming a procession one after the other, to bury themselves in the earth, pupate and complete their metamorphosis.

Widely spread in Spain, it is naturally found in balance in the forests on the species of pines, cedars and firs.

The processional caterpillar is surrounded by stinging hairs that, when dispersed and floating in the air, can irritate the skin, nose and eyes. If there is direct contact with the caterpillar, its hair digs into the skin and with it a toxic product that generates the release of histamine in the affected person and, consequently, the allergic reaction.

The allergic reaction to the processional one is manifested in urticaria. The skin becomes inflamed and reddish welts form on it. It is normal for hives to go away spontaneously. If this does not happen, we must go to a medical facility to be treated by health personnel.

The best preventive measure is to avoid any contact with the processionary, with their nests and also with the trees affected by the pest, since their hairs can peel off the caterpillar and be blown away by the wind until they come into contact with people.

In short, continue to enjoy your field days taking these premises into consideration and you will have nothing to worry about.