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   Animal-bites,stings

Going to Thailand, means being in nature and being in a tropical country. Many animals live here, the kind you usually do not meet in your back yard. Although the changes are minimum you will have a close encounter with a wild animal, it is always good to be prepared and informed. So, read this page and you will know what to do and how to react in case of...

On this page you will find information on:

• Insects

• Scorpions

• Leeches and ticks

• Snakes

Insects

Bee and wasp stings are usually painful rather than dangerous (unless you are allergic). Calamine lotion or a sting-relief spray is good and ice packs will reduce the pain and swelling. If you are allergic take your precautions and make sure you have information on you if you require medical care.

Scorpions

Scorpions often shelter in shoes or clothing (or left open bags) and their stings are notoriously painful, but quite harmless. Skin scratches or cuts can easily become infected in hot climates and may be difficult to heal. Wash well and treat any cut with an antiseptic. When possible avoid bandages such as band-aids, which can keep wounds wet.

Leeches and ticks

Leeches may be present in damp rain forest conditions, they attach themselves to your skin to suck your blood. Trekkers often get them on their legs or in their boots.

Salt or a lighted cigarette end will make them fall off and an insect repellent (or tiger balm, if you can stand that) may keep them away. Do not pull them off, as the bite is then more likely to become infected.

Clean and apply pressure if the point of attachment is bleeding.

You should always check all over your body if you have been walking through a potentiality tick area as ticks can cause skin infections and other more serious diseases.

If a tick (looks like a small red spider, when it is not filled with your blood) is found attached, press down around the tick's head with tweezers, grab the head and gently pull upwards.

Avoid pulling the rear of the body as this may squeeze the tick's gut contents through the attached mouth parts into the skin, increasing the risk of infection and disease.

Snakes

To minimize your chances of being bitten by a snake, always wear boots, socks and long trousers when walking through undergrowth where snake may be present.

Don't put your hands into holes and be careful when collecting firewood.

Most snake bites are not poisonous and then ones that are do not cause instantaneous death and antivenins are available at most hospitals and pharmacies throughout Thailand.

When you are bitten, immediately wrap the bitten limb tightly, and try to immobilize it.

Take - if possible - the snake for identification with you to the hospital, but never try to attempt to catch the snake if there is a possibility if being bitten again.