A cold compress can be used to treat bites and stings from various common insects and arachnids, including:
Apply a cold pack to the bite or sting area for 15 minutes and reapply if pain continues. Use simple pain relief (such as paracetamol). The cold pack should be changed when necessary to maintain the same level of coldness. Seek medical attention if the pain worsens.
How to treat bites and stings
Pressure-immobilisation is recommended for:
bites from all Australian snakes, including sea snakes. funnel web spider bites. blue-ringed octopus stings.
Bites and stings from other animals — scorpions, centipedes, millipedes and leeches. Scorpion and centipede bites — clean your skin with soap and water. Use ice and pain-relief medicines to manage your symptoms.
To treat a mild reaction to an insect bite or sting:
To treat a sting:
Treatment for bites and stings
The Pressure Immobilisation Technique (PIT) is recommended for application to bites and stings by the following creatures: All Australian venomous snakes, including sea snakes [Class A; LOE III] Funnel Web spider [Class A; LOE IV] Blue-ringed octopus [Class B; LOE Expert Consensus Opinion]
What to avoid
Most bites and stings heal on their own. To help relieve symptoms: Wash the affected area with soap and water and wipe with rubbing alcohol or first-aid antiseptic to help prevent infection. For an inflamed insect bite or sting, apply a wrapped ice pack for 15-20 minutes per hour for the first six hours.
Use an EPA-registered insect repellent
If also using sunscreen, always apply insect repellent after sunscreen. Find the right insect repellent for you by using EPA's search tool. Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs. Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.
Treatment for Human Bites
Calamine lotion, over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream and even a cold compress can ease the itch. "It's going to soothe and kind of calm down that intense burning and inflammation that they're feeling in their skin."
First aid for a redback spider bite
If you have been bitten by a redback spider: Wash the bite area with soap and water. Use a cold pack for 15 minutes to help ease the pain. See your doctor if you have bad symptoms.
If an Animal Bites You, Breaking the Skin
Keep the bite area raised up (elevated) to slow bleeding and keep swelling down. Once bleeding stops, wash the wound thoroughly with mild soap and running water for 3 to 5 minutes. Cover the bite with antibiotic ointment and a sterile bandage.
Suitable for red-back spider or other spider bite; bee, wasp or ant sting; tick bite; scorpion or centipede sting; jellyfish sting. Apply a cold pack to the bitten or stung area for 15 minutes and reapply if pain continues. The cold pack should be changed when necessary to maintain the same level of coldness.
Pressure immobilisation first aid is currently recommended for most life-threatening venomous bites and stings in which the venom travels by the lymph system, for example, funnel-web spider bites, snake bites and blue ringed octopus and cone snail envenomations.
After a bite by a snake suspected of being venomous, follow these steps: Immediately move away from the area where the bite occurred. Remove anything tight from around the bitten part of the body to avoid harm if swelling occurs. Reassure the victim, as most venomous snake bites do not cause immediate death.
Apply a cold compress: Place a cold compress on your closed eye to reduce swelling and relieve pain. Do not apply ice directly to the skin. Avoid rubbing or scratching: Although the itching may be intense, avoid rubbing or scratching your eye, as this can worsen the inflammation and increase the risk of infection.
General Care: Tick Removal
Pull upward slowly and steadily without twisting until the tick's hold is released. Seal tick in container for a healthcare provider. Wash the area with soap and warm water.
Wash the sting area with soap and water. Remove any rings in the sting area right away, before swelling gets worse. Apply to the area a cloth dampened with cold water or filled with ice. Keep it on the sting for 10 to 20 minutes.
For most bites and stings the following first aid treatment will help ease discomfort. Wash the area with soap and water and keep it clean and dry. Apply ice (wrapped in a thin cotton cloth) or cool running water to reduce the swelling and relieve the pain.
Most jellyfish stings can be treated as follows:
For a bull ant bite, immediately wash the area with soap and water, apply a cold compress to reduce pain/swelling, take OTC pain relievers (ibuprofen/paracetamol), and antihistamines for itching, avoiding scratching; seek emergency care (call 000) if you experience severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, dizziness, swelling of face/lips, or have a known severe allergy.