Poison Prevention Antidote
Poison Prevention Antidote Newsletter
The Poison Prevention Antidote is an electronic newsletter published every other month to educate the public about the Poison Center’s services and how to prevent poisonings in daily life.
Each issue covers a variety of poison-related topics relevant to all ages.
May-June 2026 Issue: Bites and Stings
Warmer weather often means more time outdoors, but it can also bring exposure to ticks, bees, mosquitoes, and other insects. The tips below can help prevent bites and stings and explain when to seek medical help.
How to Prevent Bites and Stings
- Wear close-fitting clothing and closed-toe shoes to reduce exposed skin and avoid trapping insects.
- Keep food and drinks covered, especially sweet foods and liquids.
- Use clear drink containers so you can see what is inside before taking a sip.
- Avoid floral or light-colored clothing, sweet-smelling cosmetics, colognes, or aftershaves that may attract insects.
- If you encounter a stinging insect, slowly walk away. Avoid swatting, hitting, or making quick movements.
- Use insect repellent when appropriate.
What to Do After a Bite or Sting
- For snake bites, go to the hospital emergency department.
- Do not scrape, squeeze, or suck out venom or a stinger.
- If a stinger remains, gently brush it away.
- Apply ice to the affected area to help reduce pain and swelling.
- If you have a known allergy, use antihistamines or prescribed medications as directed by your physician.
When to Call 911
Call 911 right away for life-threatening symptoms, including swelling of the face, difficulty breathing, dizziness, weakness, or signs of a severe allergic reaction.
When to Go to the Hospital
- Go to the hospital for any snake bite.
- If you know you are allergic to the bite or sting source, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.
- If you develop a bull’s-eye rash after a tick bite or feel sick after a tick bite, seek medical care.
For snake bites, do not bring the snake to the hospital. If it is safe to do so, a photo may help healthcare staff identify the type of snake.
Wild Mushroom Safety
Spring rain can also bring wild mushrooms, which may be especially attractive to young children.
- Never pick and eat a wild mushroom unless it has been identified by a trained mushroom expert.
- The only safe mushrooms are those purchased from a grocery store.
- Supervise children while playing outdoors to reduce the risk of accidental ingestion.
A printable version of this information is available as the Bites and Stings Poison Prevention Antidote PDF.
Newsletter Issues
2026
- Cleaning Safety (January–February 2026) (PDF)
- The Poison Purse (March–April 2026) (PDF)
- Bites and Stings (May-June 2026) (PDF)
2025
- Ice Melt/Rock Salt Safety (January–February 2025) (PDF)
- What to Expect When You Call the Poison Center (March–April 2025) (PDF)
- Energy Drink Safety (May–June 2025) (PDF)
- Insect Repellent Safety (July–August 2025) (PDF)
- Halloween Safety (September–October 2025) (PDF)
- Liquid Nicotine and E-Cigarette Safety (November–December 2025) (PDF)
2024
- Water-Absorbing Polymer Bead Safety (January–March 2024) (PDF)
- Dangerous Plants (April–June 2024) (PDF)
- Poison Prevention While Traveling (July–September 2024) (PDF)
- Lead Poisoning Prevention (October–November 2024) (PDF)
- Button Battery Safety (December 2024) (PDF)
2023
- Cold and Cough Medicine Safety (January–March 2023) (PDF)
- Mushroom Safety (April–June 2023) (PDF)
- Pesticide Safety (July–September 2023) (PDF)
- Edible Safety – Special Issue (September 2023) (PDF)
- Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer (October–December 2023) (PDF)
2022
- Minnesota Poison Control System Turns 50 (January–March 2022) (PDF)
- Common Camping Poisons (April–June 2022) (PDF)
- Pool Chemical Safety (July–September 2022) (PDF)
- Holiday Food Safety (October–November 2022) (PDF)
- Holiday Decoration Safety (December 2022) (PDF)
For poison emergencies or questions, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.
Need help accessing these materials? We are working to make all documents on this page accessible. If you need this information in another format, please call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 or contact us—we’re happy to help.