Bites and stings - first aid
Australia has some venomous creatures lurking around. Roll your mouse over each critter to see what to do in case you're bitten or stung.
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Redback spider bite
- Apply an ice pack to relieve the pain.
- Don’t use pressure immobilization bandages as the venom travels very slowly and the pressure worsens the pain.
- Seek medical attention.
Signs and symptoms
Bites from redback spiders are immediately painful. The pain may spread. Small hairs may stand on end.
If you’re bitten by a spider – try to capture the spider for identification purposes.
Funnel-web spider bite
- Check the person’s breathing and circulation. If unconscious follow DRABC plan – Danger, Respond, Airway, Breathing, Circulation.
- Calm the person and keep them STILL.
- Apply a pressure immobilization bandage (crepe bandage is fine) firmly along entire limb, but not too tightly – same as for a sprained ankle.
- If bitten on hand, bandage as much of arm as possible, starting just above fingers; if bitten on foot or leg, bandage entire leg from just above toes.
- Apply a splint to the limb, to keep it STILL.
- Dial 000 for an ambulance.
- Don’t remove bandages as venom will quickly enter bloodstream.
Signs and symptoms
Person may be salivating profusely. Numbness around the mouth. Confusion may develop. Difficulty breathing. Muscular spasms.
Snake bite
- Don’t try to suck venom out from a bite wound.
- Don’t wash off the venom from the bite.
- Apply pressure immobilization bandage (crepe bandage is fine) to entire limb as far up as possible.
- Start just above fingers or just above toes.
- Keep the bitten limb and the patient STILL.
- Apply a splint to the leg or to the arm from the elbow to the fingers.
- Don’t move the patient.
- Dial 000 for an ambulance.
- Don’t remove bandages as venom will quickly enter bloodstream.
Signs and symptoms
Puncture marks. Nausea. Vomiting. Diarrhoea. Drowsiness. Respiratory weakness. Headache. Breathing difficulty.
Bluebottle sting
- Vinegar is NOT recommended.
- Remove any tentacles with tweezers or fingers.
- Do NOT wash off with fresh water.
- Ice packs or anaesthetic creams or lotions may help with pain.
- A 2006 study showed that immersing the affected area in hot water (45 degrees Celsius) for 20 minutes is better than ice packs for pain relief.
Box jellyfish or sea wasp (Chironex fleckeri) sting
- Flood the adhering tentacles with vinegar to inactivate the stinging cells – for at least 30 seconds.
- Antivenom is required for all but minor stings.
- Where antivenom is not available, pressure immobilization bandages may be used whilst patient is transported to hospital – but not over active tentacles.
- Dial 000 for an ambulance.
- Make sure patient does NOT move.
- Artificial respiration and cardiac massage may be required.
Signs and symptoms
Excruciating pain. Person may go into shock and collapse – may drown as a result.
Irukandji sting
- Call for medical assistance, either via a lifeguard or dial 000 for an ambulance.
- The person must be taken to hospital for pain relief and treatment of systemic symptoms.
Signs and symptoms
The sting may not be painful. After an average of 30 minutes the person may develop irukandji syndrome – including severe low back pain, vomiting, muscle cramps, restlessness and anxiety. Dangerously high blood pressure may develop.
Blue-ringed octopus bite
- Dial 000 for an ambulance.
- Pressure immobilization bandages should be applied.
- Person will need transfer to hospital – prolonged artificial respiration is often required.
Signs and symptoms
The bite is usually not felt. Person will become numb around the mouth, tongue, face and neck. Chest may become tight. Difficulty breathing which leads to respiratory failure and ultimately death if person is not resuscitated. Person is often aware, but unable to move or respond. Fixed dilated pupils.
Cone shell (snail) sting
- Pressure immobilization bandage over the site.
- Seek medical assistance immediately.
- Assisted or artificial respiration may be required.
- Tetanus injection may be needed - wound could be infected.
Signs and symptoms
Pain, swelling and numbness at sting site. Prolonged weakness of muscles. Vision, speech and hearing are disturbed. Death may occur.
Australian paralysis tick envenomation
- Find and remove tick using tweezers.
- Make sure the tick’s head is not left in.
- Do not squeeze or cut the tick as it will inject more toxin.
- Pressure immobilization bandage can be used if serious symptoms develop.
- Seek medical attention if parts of tick are left in skin as they may cause infection.
Signs and symptoms
Irritation at site of tick and sometimes allergic reaction. Progressive reaction from tiredness to muscle weakness and unsteadiness on feet, double vision and difficulty breathing or swallowing to paralysis.
Last Reviewed: 11 April 2006
