EXCLUSIONS TO SELF-CARE
This type of suspected bite—including black widow or brown recluse—automatically excludes a patient from self-care.
What is a suspected spider bite?
hese bites appear as grouped, very itchy lesions often on the legs or ankles.
What are flea bites?
The recommended duration for applying a cold compress (on and off) for insect bites.
What is 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off?
This topical corticosteroid can be used in patients ≥2 years old up to 3–4× daily for 7 days.
What is hydrocortisone 1%?
This method should be used to remove a honeybee stinger—never squeezing.
What is scraping with a card?
A patient with insect bites who has fever, joint pain, or lymph node swelling meets this requirement.
What are systemic symptoms requiring referral?
This pest causes red papules around clothing lines such as the waist or ankles, with intense itching.
What are chiggers?
This tool is used to remove ticks—never heat or nail polish.
What are fine-tipped tweezers?
This topical antihistamine has a risk of photosensitivity and should not be used for more than 7 days.
What is diphenhydramine 0.5–2%?
A child under this age cannot use permethrin for lice treatment.
What is < 2 months old?
Patients with lice who are younger than this age cannot use pyrethrin-containing products.
What is < 2 years old?
These lesions typically appear in straight lines or clusters on exposed areas and may have delayed reactions.
What are bedbug bites?
For lice, sealing unwashable items in a plastic bag for this long can kill remaining nits.
What is 2 weeks?
Of the local anesthetics listed, this one is the best tolerated.
What is pramoxine?
Severe allergic reactions, large hives, dizziness, or trouble breathing after a sting require this.
What is referral to emergency care?
This combination—history of a tick bite + symptoms—means self-care is not appropriate.
What are signs of Lyme disease or RMSF?
A painless, attached organism with risk of bull’s-eye rash or RMSF suggests this type of bite.
What is a tick bite?
This preventive method should be avoided in infants younger than 2 months old.
What is using DEET repellents?
This counterirritant is unsafe if ingested, especially in children.
What is camphor?
Individuals allergic to this plant family cannot use pyrethrin products.
What are chrysanthemums?
Lice patients with this physical location of infestation must be referred immediately.
What is lice on the eyelashes or eyebrows?
Severe muscle spasms or necrotic ulcers indicate a bite from these two spiders.
What are the black widow and brown recluse spiders?
This non-drug tool, such as the LiceMeister, is essential for physically removing nits.
What is a nit comb?
This OTC oral antihistamine may be used off-label for itch relief in insect stings.
What is oral diphenhydramine (Benadryl)?
Patients living in regions with reported OTC pediculicide resistance fall into this category.
What is exclusion to self-care requiring referral?