Section B·Page 4
The University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, June 24, 1998
Amid the sunsets, fishing, camp fires, S'mores and swimming lurk hidden...
CAMPING DANGERS
Insect bites annoy, may cause death without treatment
By Leslie Potter
Kansas staff writer
Kansan staff writer
Even though they might be smaller than the end of your finger, they can cause a big reaction, even death.
Insects are plentiful in Kansas, and their bite or sting can be more than annoying.
Mosquitoes are the most common biting insects. Their bites usually result in a red bump that itches because of the mosquito's saliva, according to the National Institutes of Health.
However, many people think that they have a mosquito bite when they actually have come in contact with a chigger.
"Mosquitoes are a flying insect that sucks your blood," said Myra L. Strother, a physician at Watkins Memorial Health Center. "Chiggers are very small insects that you cannot see. They crawl up your legs or drop down from trees and burrow in your skin. This causes a red bump that itches, which is very similar to a mosquito bite."
similar to a mosquito bite."
A camper parks in the trees near Clinton State Park. People come to enjoy the outdoors, but some forget to protect themselves from poison ivy and insects. Photo by Lizz Weber / KANSSAN
Strother recommends using an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to relive the itching of mosquito and chigger bites. She said that scratching can cause the skin to break open, which could lead to a secondary bacterial infection.
Painful sores cover a student's arm. Precautions should be taken to avoid these annoying bug bites while camping or just hanging out in the sun. Photo by Lizz Weber/KANSAN
Some insects,
mainly bees, wasps,
hornets, yellow
jackets and fire ants,
can cause a major
allergic reaction. The reaction is usually caused by venom the insect insects, according to the National Institutes of Health.
"If swelling, hives or nausea occurs after an insect sting, then you are having an allergic reaction," Strother said. "You could put ice to it to reduce the swelling and take an antihistamine, but you should probably see a physician."
At its worst, a violent allergic reaction can cause anaphylactic shock which leads to death, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Spiders also can have a harmful bite.
"Mainly, you need to watch out for brown recluse spiders and black widows, which are poisonous," Strother said. "But if a spider bite swells up and the redness spreads, you need to see a physician."
Ticks also are an insect to be concerned about. Strother said that people have to make sure the head of a tick is removed from the skin after a bite.
According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, if a tick's head is left in a person's skin, it still has the ability to suck blood and grow.
Big to the hand can be a bit too much.
Many things can be done to prevent insect bites.
"Use a good bug spray." Strother said. "Be sure to spray near the bottom of your legs and wear long pants."
The National Institutes of Health recommend not wearing perfume or used scented soaps or lotions which attract insects.
Tips offer relief from poison ivy
Protective clothes keep campers safe from outdoor pests
By Leslie Potter
Kansan staff writer
Kevin Sikes, Desoto senior describes his worst camping experience.
"Well, I was answering the call of nature, and I didn't notice that there was poison ivy." Sikes said. "We'll just say that it wasn't a pleasant experience the next day."
Camping is a recreational activity for many, but poison ivy, insects and snakes are anything but fun.
"Try to avoid poison ivy, which
has three green leaves on a vine," said Myra L. Strother, a physician at Watkins Memorial Health Center. "But if you have poison ivy, and it spreads to new areas, you need to see a physician."
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment recommends wearing long sleeves and long pants when camping to protect the skin against poison ivy and washing the skin immediately after coming in contact with the plant.
Strother said that a doctor could prescribe an antihistamine that would clear up the rash. She also said to be careful when using Benadryl because it could cause a reaction and could make the rash worse.
For insect bites, Strother recommends wearing bug spray and protective clothing.
"I was answering the call of nature, and I didn't notice that there was poison ivy. We'll just say that it wasn't a pleasant experience the next day. I definitely know what poison ivy looks like now. That will never happen to me again."
Kevin Sikes
Desoto senior
"If you happen to get bit by a snake, they don't recommend trying to suck the venom out of the puncture wound anymore," Strother said. "Put ice on it and try to identify the snake so that you can know if you need an
anti-venom shot. You'll probably need a tetanus shot, too."
Sikes said that the best advice is to be prepared for events that might occur when camping.
I definitely know what poison ivy looks like now," Sikes said. "That will never happen to me again."
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