September 9, 2008

INSECT BITE TREATMENT WITH ULTRAHIGH FREQUENCY SOUND^©

Lyn Paul Taylor, A.A., B.A., M.A., R.P.T.

(Editing Assistant and Computer Consultant: Joanna Soon, B.S.)

Clinical experience has shown that ultrahigh frequency sound (ultrasound) can be utilized to denature the toxin injected into the skin by fire ants, black fly, or various non-poisonous spiders (it may actually have a similar effect on poisonous bites, but the opportunity to try it has not yet arisen).

Such an insect bite is characterized by a red or white swelling around or in close association with a single or double puncture mark, usually discernible to the naked eye or through a magnifying glass.  In some cases, the tissues themselves may be necrosed, and the bite site is a ragged hole in the skin.  The victim of the bite will usually complain of a severe itching or burning pain, in and around the bite site.  If the bite is just proximal of a distal extremity (hand or foot), there may be generalized swelling distal to the bite.  A single treatment session may be enough to reduce the welts and swelling associated with the attendant histamine reaction to the injected poison (toxin), especially if an anti-inflammatory compound is used as the coupling agent (compositions containing ibuprofen and/or benadryl have been found to be especially effective).  Results suggest that the ultrasound may be effective in denaturing the organic poison involved, thereby preventing possible necrosis.

Application:

• The ultrasound unit should be preset to deliver a 1 Mhz or 3 Mhz, pulsed waveform, at between 0.8 and 1.8 W/cm².

• A medical preparation containing an anti-histamine active ingredient should be thinly and evenly spread over the treatment site, and then covered by a sonicator gel or an anti-inflammatory gel (topical ibuprofen is recommended).

• The sound head should be applied with a light touch, in an evenly distributing manner.  The sound head should be slowly moved over the treatment site (being careful to keep the sound head flat up against the skin) in continuous circle within a circle motion, or as continuous stroking back and forth motions.  The sound head should be moved at a slow, steady rate.  If a stationary sound head and a pulsed waveform are used, no motion of the sound head is necessary, but the practitioner should remain in constant attendance, being careful to maintain the patient's comfort.

• Treatment should generally continue for six minutes (assuming an area of 72 cm²).

• Treatment should occur daily until treatment goals are reached.  Usually only one or two sessions are necessary to relieve the patient’s symptoms, including the pain and swelling.

[See ULTRAHIGH FREQUENCY SOUND, Precautions]

References:

L.P. Taylor, T. Hui, The Taylor Technique of Soft Tissue Management, Inflammation: Evaluation & Treatment, 2002.  p. 56

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