HANDLE STINGS AND BITES

What to do when your training route has a sting in the tail

A WILD RIDE

Animal encounters when on the bike can easily lead to a nasty case of road rash, but if you’ve had an unwanted encounter with the local wildlife, you’ll know you don’t have to fall off for your ride to end in tears. Bees and wasps are always unwelcome passengers inside a helmet or, worse, in an open mouth, and a bite or sting can have potentially dangerous consequences. Man’s Best Friend, meanwhile, isn’t always too friendly when it comes to cyclists.

BEE AND WASP STINGS

If you are stung and the stinger is still in place, remove it with a finger nail or credit card (scrape it out, don’t squeeze it). Wash the sting with soap and water and get some ice on it as soon as possible – a sting in the mouth can be helped by sucking ice. If swelling spreads beyond the sting, take an antihistamine – steroids may be needed (see your GP). If you experience breathing difficulties or swelling to the face, neck, tongue, mouth or lips, or a widespread rash, call 999 immediately.

DOG BITES

For a small bite, check for foreign bodies (such as a tooth) and encourage the wound to bleed, rinsing it with warm running water as soon as you can. If the bite is to your hand, foot or face, seek medical advice, as antibiotics are recommended within 48 hours to prevent infection. Deeper, more penetrating wounds can damage tendons, arteries, joints or nerves and should be assessed by a doctor. You may require a tetanus booster – make sure you know when you last had one. GP and cyclist @awkwardcyclist

Andy Ward,