1 Make victim safe
2Treat severe wound
3Treat small wound
1 Remove tick
2Dress wound
Monitor victim
58 FIRST AID
Animal and tick bites
Any animal bite carries a high risk of transmitting infection and should be seen by a doctor. Antibiotics or tetanus immunization may be required. Your aims are to stop the bleeding and clean the wound. Treating a tick bite involves removing the whole tick.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
• Puncture marks( animal)
• Pea-sized body attached to skin( tick)
TREATING ANIMAL BITES
1 Make victim safe
• Remove the victim from any danger, if possible.
2Treat severe wound
• If the wound is serious, treat as for severe bleeding( p. 31).
• Take or send the victim to the hospital for urgent treatment.
3Treat small wound
• If the wound is superficial, wash it with soap and water and pat it dry. Cover with a dressing( p. 61).
• Advise the victim to ask his or her doctor if immunization is needed.
! Important
• Do not try to capture the animal.
• Severe infections can be transmitted by animal bites. Seek medical advice in all cases.
TREATING TICK BITES
1 Remove tick
• Using a pair of fine-pointed tweezers, grasp the tick on either side of its body( including head and mouthparts).
• Lever out the tick with a rocking motion.
2Dress wound
• Wash your hands thoroughly.
• Clean the wound with antiseptic.
• Cover with an adhesive dressing.
3
Monitor victim
• Look out for a rash at the site of the bite and / or flulike symptoms days after the bite. In either case, send or take the victim to a doctor in case he or she has developed an infection. Tell the doctor that the victim was bitten by a tick.
! Important
• Do not apply a hot match, alcohol, or any other substance to the tick in an
attempt to remove it.
• Ensure that you remove both the head and the body of the tick.