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Insect / Spider Bites
The normal reaction to an insect sting is a sharp, stinging pain followed by an itchy, swollen, painful raised area. The swelling may be there for several days but usually goes
away within 24 hours. Local reactions are rarely serious or life-threatening and can be treated with cold compresses.
There are some people who have severe allergic reactions to insect stings. More people die from allergic reactions to stings than all other bites combined ( including snakebites
). These people die, on the average, within 12 minutes of the sting but almost always within the first hour.
Individuals that have severe allergies to insect bites should carry an epinephrine pen ( Epi-Pen ). The pens are designed to inject epinephrine and reverse the loss of blood
pressure and inability to breath.
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