Allergy topics
Bites and stings
Find out about the symptoms associated with bites and stings, and how to treat them.
Ant sting anaphylaxis mostly due to jack jumpers
Jack jumper ants are the most common cause of anaphylaxis (severe allergy) after ant stings, followed by bulldog ants, a study shows.
Australian scorpion stings not fatal
Contrary to popular belief, Australian scorpion stings do not appear to have life-threatening effects, even in children, researchers from the University of Newcastle have found.
Bedbug epidemic grips US and Canada
Bedbug encounters were reported by almost all US and Canadian pest control companies, a survey found, and caused Nike’s New York store to close.
Bedbug insecticides linked to poisonings
Insecticides used against bedbugs caused 111 cases of poisoning, including one death, in the US over 8 years.
Bedbugs can carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Bedbugs may transfer antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a study suggests.
Bee stings
First-aid advice on the best treatment for bee stings. Find out about severe reactions and how to avoid being stung by a bee.
Bites and stings - first aid
First aid for bites and stings from Australia's venomous creatures. Find out what to do if you`re bitten or stung.
Bites and stings: self-care
Bites and stings can cause mild irritation or serious reactions, such as anaphylaxis. Most insect bites and stings are not serious. Find out what products are available for bites and stings.
Bluebottle stings
Find out more about bluebottle stings and how to treat them.
First aid for bites and stings
Snakes, spiders, bees, jellyfish and molluscs, such as the blue ringed octopus and cone snail, can all inflict a sting or bite that may cause significant illness and occasionally death.
Insect sting allergy
The most common allergic reactions to insect stings are those from bees, wasps and ants.
Jellyfish stings: updated first-aid advice
The Australian Resuscitation Council has issued updated advice on first aid for jellyfish stings.
Jumper ant sting twice as bad as bee sting
Stings from jack jumper ants cause twice as many cases of anaphylaxis in Tasmania compared with bees, new research shows.
Lyme disease
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness. Find out about the symptoms of Lyme disease, diagnosis, tests and treatment.
Many sting deaths can be prevented
A significant proportion of people who died from wasp and bee stings in Australia over the past 20 years had a prior history of allergic reaction yet did not carry adrenaline, a study has found.
Rat-bite fever on the rise as rodents become popular pets
Rat-bite fever may be seen more often now that rats are becoming popular as pets, a conference has been told.
Snake bite: crepe bandages no use
Crepe bandages commonly included in first aid kits may not be effective in preventing the spread of snakebite venom.
White-tail spider bite not so black
White-tail spider bites are very painful, but unlikely to cause the untreatable ulcers attributed to them over the past 20 years.
World First Aid Day
On World First Aid Day, Australian Red Cross asks us to take the time to thank a first aider and to participate in first aid training.
Jack jumper ants are the most common cause of anaphylaxis (severe allergy) after ant stings, followed by bulldog ants, a study shows.
Australian scorpion stings not fatal
Contrary to popular belief, Australian scorpion stings do not appear to have life-threatening effects, even in children, researchers from the University of Newcastle have found.
Bedbug epidemic grips US and Canada
Bedbug encounters were reported by almost all US and Canadian pest control companies, a survey found, and caused Nike’s New York store to close.
Bedbug insecticides linked to poisonings
Insecticides used against bedbugs caused 111 cases of poisoning, including one death, in the US over 8 years.
Bedbugs can carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Bedbugs may transfer antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a study suggests.
Bee stings
First-aid advice on the best treatment for bee stings. Find out about severe reactions and how to avoid being stung by a bee.
Bites and stings - first aid
First aid for bites and stings from Australia's venomous creatures. Find out what to do if you`re bitten or stung.
Bites and stings: self-care
Bites and stings can cause mild irritation or serious reactions, such as anaphylaxis. Most insect bites and stings are not serious. Find out what products are available for bites and stings.
Bluebottle stings
Find out more about bluebottle stings and how to treat them.
First aid for bites and stings
Snakes, spiders, bees, jellyfish and molluscs, such as the blue ringed octopus and cone snail, can all inflict a sting or bite that may cause significant illness and occasionally death.
Insect sting allergy
The most common allergic reactions to insect stings are those from bees, wasps and ants.
Jellyfish stings: updated first-aid advice
The Australian Resuscitation Council has issued updated advice on first aid for jellyfish stings.
Jumper ant sting twice as bad as bee sting
Stings from jack jumper ants cause twice as many cases of anaphylaxis in Tasmania compared with bees, new research shows.
Lyme disease
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness. Find out about the symptoms of Lyme disease, diagnosis, tests and treatment.
Many sting deaths can be prevented
A significant proportion of people who died from wasp and bee stings in Australia over the past 20 years had a prior history of allergic reaction yet did not carry adrenaline, a study has found.
Rat-bite fever on the rise as rodents become popular pets
Rat-bite fever may be seen more often now that rats are becoming popular as pets, a conference has been told.
Snake bite: crepe bandages no use
Crepe bandages commonly included in first aid kits may not be effective in preventing the spread of snakebite venom.
White-tail spider bite not so black
White-tail spider bites are very painful, but unlikely to cause the untreatable ulcers attributed to them over the past 20 years.
World First Aid Day
On World First Aid Day, Australian Red Cross asks us to take the time to thank a first aider and to participate in first aid training.
