The germs from the animal s mouth can then be carried deep into the wound and may cause serious infections. The adder is the only poisonous snake in the UK, and although the venom can be fatal, the number of recorded deaths is very small indeed. There is one serious complication of insect stings. A small percentage of people can develop a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylactic shock, where airways become swollen and reduce the air getting to the lungs. The symptoms of anaphylactic shock are red, blotchy skin with raised areas, swelling of the face and neck, puffiness around the eyes, wheezing and difficulty breathing, rapid pulse and loss of consciousness.
Anaphylactic shock is a very serious condition and requires immediate hospital treatment.
First, assess the seriousness of the bite or sting. If you suspect the person is going into anaphylactic shock, call for an ambulance immediately. If the bite is bleeding, do not touch it with your bare hands. Pat the wound dry, and cover it with a plaster or small dressing, or any piece of clean, non-textured cloth that you have to hand If the person has been bitten by an animal, check with its owners about current immunisations. The person who has been bitten should see their doctor about a tetanus immunisation.