Kentucky Regional Poison Center

Nature is alive and sometimes it likes to Bite!

During the warm weather months the Kentucky Regional Poison Control Center receives more than 1000 calls per year on bites and stings.

These include everything from bees and wasps to spiders to caterpillars to ticks to snakes.

In most cases the Poison Center will have specific first aid measures and treatments that can help resolve the symptoms: often saving a trip to the emergency room.  Because of the variety of things that “bite” the effects can vary. Many symptoms remain “local” to the bite site. These symptoms are upsetting to the patient but usually will not progress to serious or life threatening symptoms. Depending on the insect or spider, there may be local symptoms including pain at the bite site, swelling of the area around the bite, or a rash at the site of the bite/sting or itching. Caterpillars can cause local irritation, redness and swelling from exposure to the “hairs” of the caterpillar. In most cases the Poison Center may have specific first aid measures and treatments.

For more significant effects you may be referred to your local hospital and the poison center will alert the hospital of your case. In serious cases, such as snake bites, the hospital may consult directly with the Poison Center about your case.

Spring brings a big increase in bites and stings! Flying insects to crawling bugs to caterpillars to snakes - AHHHH!  Call the poison center for help and first aid info: 1-800-222-1222

 If you have questions, you can call the poison center at 1-800-222-1222.

For more information please go to our public education page.