Spread of stinging ants to oceanic islands, and the need to raise awareness of prevention and treatment of ant stings.
Emerg Med Australas
; 35(4): 560-563, 2023 08.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36596650
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Venomous invasive ants are rapidly dispersing throughout oceanic islands. Medics unfamiliar with envenomation or venom-induced anaphylaxis may be unprepared for the range of possible reactions and corresponding treatments. We detail the suboptimal treatment of a patient suffering anaphylaxis from an ant sting on a remote island and describe what treatment should have been provided.METHODS:
The patient experienced stings on his feet from an ant later identified as tropical fire ant, Solenopsis geminata. Clinical examination revealed throat swelling without obstruction of the airway or pharynx.RESULTS:
The patient was provided the following suboptimal treatment intravenously-administered antihistamine and saline perfusion. Injected epinephrine should be the standard first line of treatment for anaphylaxis, even when not all symptoms are present.CONCLUSION:
A rise in invasive hymenopteran stings on oceanic islands is inevitable, and proactively improving public awareness and medical training could save lives.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Ants
/
Anaphylaxis
/
Insect Bites and Stings
/
Ant Venoms
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Emerg Med Australas
Journal subject:
MEDICINA DE EMERGENCIA
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: