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Bites and Stings

Patient checkup with Dr. Palmer at General Academic Pediatrics

Primary Care Pediatricians

Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters has been the region’s most trusted name in pediatric care for more than 50 years. But these days, we’re much More Than a Hospital. Through a network of dedicated pediatric providers who work in over two dozen locations throughout the region, CHKD provides all the care kids need.

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Emergency Care

Human Bites

Call your pediatrician’s office if your child has been bitten by a human and the skin is broken.

Dog and Cat Bites

Bites that break the skin should be reported to Animal Control and your pediatrician’s office because the possibility of rabies exposure must be eliminated. If the bite is superficial, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and check it frequently during the next several hours. If redness, swelling, or pain occur, notify the pediatrician’s office.

Skunk/Bat/Raccoon/Fox Bites

Call the pediatrician’s office as soon as possible. You should suspect rabies because it is prevalent in these animals.

Bee/Ant/Spider Bites

If your child is wheezing, having tightness of the chest or throat, or swelling of the face, call 911 immediately. Although it’s very rare, some children suffer from life-threatening allergic reactions to insect stings. If a stinger is present after the bite or sting, you can scrape it out with the edge of a credit card or your (clean) fingernail. If the area is painful, mix a few drops of water with meat tenderizer to make a paste; apply to the wound for 15 minutes, followed by an ice pack. If the area is itchy, apply a baking soda paste or calamine lotion. For severe itching, a non-prescription antihistamine (such as Benadryl) can be used.

Snake Bites

Take the child immediately to the nearest emergency room. If the snake has been killed, carefully place it in a container and bring it with you. Do not apply ice or a tourniquet. Splint the area and keep it immobile in a position level with the heart.

Ticks

Make every attempt to avoid bites by checking frequently for ticks after outdoor activities. An unattached tick is not a disease threat. If a tick becomes embedded in the skin, grab it at the jaw (head) with tweezers and pull upwards firmly. Make sure you have removed the entire tick. After removing it, be sure the tick is dead. Wash your hands and clean the skin with soap and water after removal. If a rash and fever develop within two weeks after a tick bite, call the pediatrician.

Safety Tips

  • Teach your child to stay away from unfamiliar dogs or other animals.
  • Have friends teach your child how to approach their pets.
  • Encourage your child to wear a hat when outside. This not only helps to shade from the sun, but also helps to keep ticks out of hair.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your child's physician. The content provided on this page is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your child's physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition.

Reviewed on: 6/2024