Bees, Hornets, Wasps and Yellow Jackets
It
has happened to all of us walking along enjoying the feeling of fresh
grass between your toes, when you suddenly feel the sharp, hot,
painful sting by an insect by the order Hymenoptera.
These are common throughout the United States and while it may
take over 100 bee stings to inflict a lethal dose of venom in most
adults, one sting can cause a fatal anaphylactic allergic reaction in
a hypersensitive person. Death
in the United States from bee stings is three to four times more
likely than from snakebites.
Most
people are not allergic to insect stings and should learn to recognize
the difference between a true allergic reaction versus a large local
reaction as this will help prevent unnecessary medical expense and
fear. The “triple
response” is the body’s normal response to an insect sting.
The triple response is pain, swelling and redness and this is
usually confined to the region of the sting.
This response may even extend beyond the local site of the
sting and affect the entire limb or region of the sting, resulting in
a massively swollen limb that may persist for several days.
In hypersensitive individuals an extreme allergic reaction can
occur called anaphylactic shock.
This is a florid antigen-antibody reaction that can be life
threatening. The symptoms
of “anaphylaxis” (anaphylactic shock) may include one or more of
the following: dizziness, rapid heart rate, abdominal cramps, wheezing
or difficulty breathing, hives and agitation as well as a very hoarse
voice or swelling of the tongue.
These symptoms typically develop very rapidly within a few
minutes; therefore, call 911 or rush the person to the nearest
emergency center if they develop any of these signs or symptoms.
These symptoms may progress and lead to a sharp drop in blood
pressure as well as unconsciousness and/or cardiac arrest.
Anaphylaxis usually occurs within minutes after a sting and
they must get immediate medical assistance as this type of reaction
may be life threatening or even rapidly fatal.
Sixty percent of the people who have had an allergic reaction
to an insect sting have a chance of a similar or worse reaction if
they are stung again.
If
you are stung by one of these winged insects the sting site should be
inspected as some bees and yellow jackets can leave a barbed stinger
and a venom sack in the skin that continues to release venom.
If you see a stinger remove it immediately by gently scraping
it with a knife blade or fingernail.
Do not try to remove it with tweezers and be careful not
squeeze or grab as this may inject more venom into the sting site.
The venom of bees contains, among other components, peptides
and non-enzymatic proteins. So,
try applying a paste of one teaspoonful of meat tenderizer combined
with a few drops of water. Apply
this directly on the sting and the enzyme, papain, in the tenderizer
will help break down these proteins injected by the insect.
This is not just some of Granny Clampett’s ‘possum tail/eye
of newt-remedy---it really works.
If you don’t have meat tenderizer handy try applying a paste
of baking soda to relieve the itching and swelling and cool the sting
with ice. Over-the-counter
antihistamines can also help relieve the itching and some of the
swelling. Be certain to
elevate the body part that has been stung if possible.
Severe
allergic reactions to insect stings can be prevented with
immunotherapy, a highly effective vaccination program that can reduce
the risk of future anaphylaxis. Anyone
who has had this type of reaction in the past should carry a sting kit
that includes a preloaded syringe containing adrenaline, which resists
and/or prevents some of the effects of the severe allergic reaction.
If you have a history of this type of reaction be sure to
discuss this with your physician and have your doctor teach you how to
use a sting kit.
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