Bites and stings

DESCRIPTION
Most bites and stings come from insects, although isolated instances occur with cats, dogs, horses, parrots, and sea life. In most cases, the organism doing the biting/stinging acts out of fear or survival rather than animosity. For example, bees sting to protect their homes, and animals often bite when they fear someone is going to harm them or their owners. Other organisms, such as mosquitoes, gain nutrition from blood drawn out of their victims.

Bites and stings should not be taken lightly, as some organisms can transmit poison or diseases. Tropical mosquitoes are well known for transmitting malaria, many animals carry rabies, and the Black (bubonic) Plague was spread by fleas. Some spiders can be deadly, as can sharks and other violent carnivores.

Determining the source of a bite/sting is the first step to treatment. Minor insect bites often heal without aid, but a bite from a squirrel requires immediate medical attention due to possible rabies Infection.

HERBS
Bee sting
Echinacea(2)
Goldenseal (3)

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLIMENTS
Bee sting
Calcium
Vitamin B5
Vitamin C (1)
Vitamin E (topical)

Insect
Thiamin
Vitamin C (1)

REFERENCES
1. Banic S: Immunostimulation by Vitamin C , International Journal of Vitamin A nd Nutrition Research Supp, 23, 1982, p 49-52.
2. Tubaro A, et al: Anti-inflammatory activity of a polysaccharide fraction of Echinacea angustifolia, Journal of Pharm Pharmacol, 39(7), July 1987, p 567-569.
3. Sun D, et al: Berberine sulfate blocks adherance of streptococcus pyogens to epithelial cells, fibronectin, and hexadeceane, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 32(9), Sept 1988, p 1370-1374.