Arthropods

Question 1

Blood-sucking

Feed on dogs, cats, humans, and species

Can use quick killing insecticide

Answer 1

Fleas

Question 1

Found in crevices of bed or furniture

Not restricted to any socioeconomic class

Answer 1

Bedbugs

Question 2

Typically picked up by brushing against vegetation

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is transmitted by the wood tick and
the brown dog tick

Vector for Lyme disease is Ixodes scapularis in northeast, north central, and mid atlantic; Ixodes pacificus in the southwest

Answer 2

Ticks

Question 3

These are larvae of trombiculid mites

A few species are confined to a particular region and localized habitats

Attacks occur around areas of tight clothing

Intense itching and erythematous papules

Answer 3

Chiggers

Question 4

These are white and almost invisible and infest products such as sugar, cotton seed, and cereals

Attacks usually occur on hands, feet, and forearm

Answer 4

Mites

Question 5

Neurotoxic injury from bite/venom

Generalized abdominal, back, leg pain followed by spasms worsening
for 24 hours then subsiding over 2-3 days

May be relieved with paraenteral opioids or muscle relaxants

Calcium gluconate may relieve muscle rigidity

Elderly and young may need antivenin

Answer 5

Black Widow

Question 6

Necrotic injury from venom/bite

Urticaria to full-thickness skin necrosis

Central bulla with surrounding gray to purple discoloration surrounded by erythema

Red, white, blue sign

Pain 2-3 hours after bite

Answer 6

The Brown Recluse

Question 7

What is the most common spider bite?

Answer 7

The brown recluse

Question 8

What are some treatment options in the management of a brown recluse bite?

Answer 8

Immobilization, ice, elevation

Excision

Use of corticosteroids

Antibiotics – Erythromycin, Cephalosporin

Tetanus booster if necessary

Anecdotal reports have claimed success with dapsone and cochicines