Overview
Bee and wasp stings are two of the more common medical problems which could easily be treated. Bees and wasps belong to the order Hymenoptera, which include the different species of bees, wasps, and ants. The stings caused by bees and wasps may cause a range of untoward reactions, from localized swelling and pain to acute and even fatal occurrences. In the U.S. alone, bee or wasp stings account for some 40 deaths yearly. This is a serious concern for everyone, considering that bees and wasps are insects most commonly found around the world.
Such stings are usually an outdoor inconvenience and in most instances are just annoying with its pain and swelling, and go away after some time. Generally, home treatment will suffice to ease and cure such stings, but if a person is allergic to them, emergency medical treatment is necessary.
Types of Bees
There are generally two types of bees: the bumble bee and the honey bee. Bumble bees are larger and appear to be furry, and are mostly responsible for the pollination of many plant species. Honey bees are also known as Africanized honey bees or killer bees. Honey bees are also active pollinators of plants and are found across the globe.
In spite of being generally non-aggressive, honey bees will sting if disrupted or threatened. A buzzing sound is linked to their presence due to the rapid flapping of their wings in flight, or during a swarm attack. Killer bee species found in Western and the Southern United States have more aggressive behavior, albeit its venom is basically the same as that of regular honey bees. When it attacks, killer bees may also come in greater numbers, thereby increasing the chances of severity of stings. There are some 20,000 variant species of bees in the world.
Types of Wasps
Of the over 25,000 species of wasps in the world, the most common of these include the following:
- Hornets, which are mostly black with some yellow streaks on its head and thorax, and which form paper-like nests over trees, bushes, and even buildings
- Yellow jackets, having the yellow and black-striped abdomens, which breed in underground nests
- The hornet and yellow jacket, which exist in colonies or large groups, and are usually found in locales of temperate climates.
Nature of Bee and Wasp Stings
A lot of stings are initiated by the bees’ perceived threat to their colony. An intrusion by humans near its nest or hive starts such attacks. Certain scents or perfumes, loud, dark or bright colors, and intense noises, such as that from a lawn mower, may trigger bees to sting. Pheromones are contained in certain types of the insect’s venom, and these attract other bees to also sting by instinct.
Venom is injected under the skin of the individual that is a victim of bee or wasp stings. Honey bees, including killer bees, carry hooked or barbed stingers that rip off when they fly away after a sting, and cause the same bees to die afterwards, making them sting only once during their lifetime. The stinger that’s left is usually embedded with the venom sac underneath the victim’s skin.
Stingers that are smooth and can easily be withdrawn from the skin of the victim belong to hornets, yellow jackets, bumble bees and wasps. Venoms of bees and wasps vary according to species, but usually and commonly contain toxic components and antigens which trigger an immune response from the victims.
Prevention Strategies
Some of the ways to adopt to prevent bee and wasp stings include the following:
- Wear light-colored clothes and avoid bright ones.
- Wear gloves, a hat, and long-sleeved shirt whenever possible.
- Always wear shoes when walking outdoors.
- When driving through the countryside, it's best to roll up your car windows.
- Stay away from fresh blooming flowers and ripened fruit.
- Avoid eating sweet foods outdoors.
- Avoid strong-scented perfumes which may attract bees.
- Have beehives nearby removed by a professional.
- When exposed to bees, stay calm. Avoid swatting the bees at it may cause them to sting.
- Immediately leave the area when stung, as the sting releases a chemical that attracts other bees.
Allergic reactions may be caused by bee stings. On such occurrences, immediately seek medical assistance. It may be best to take precautions to avoid such allergies. Ask your doctor about an emergency epinephrine vaccine for emergency use after a bee sting. Also consider immunotherapy or undergoing shots to prevent allergic reactions.
Treatment
Home treatment is sufficient for most bee stings. However, for more serious sting reactions, you may need to see a physician or go to the emergency room. Multiple stings or an allergic reaction may be a medical emergency that needs immediate medical attention.
First Aid to Bee Stings
Immediately removing the stinger with the attached venom sac from the skin will prevent the venom from spreading through your body.
- Remove the stinger as soon as possible. Using an edge of a plastic card, a fingernail, or a pair of tweezers, and simply scrape the stinger with an outward motion.
- Wash the whole affected sting area with soap and running water.
- To reduce the swelling, apply an ice pack or an ice-filled cloth to the affected area.
- To reduce redness, itching or swelling, apply calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to the sting area.
- Take oral medication, specifically antihistamine containing diphenhydramine for bothersome itchiness and swelling. Examples are Benadryl or Tylenol, and Chlorpheniramine or Chlor-Trimeton.
- Avoid scratching the area of the sting, as this may cause more risk to infection.
Allergic Reaction Emergency Treatment
Should you have an allergic reaction to a bee stings, it is advisable to get medical prescription from your physician for an emergency epinephrine auto-injector, using either the Epipen or Twinject brands. You will need to have it handy, especially during the bees' active season.
The auto-injector is a combination syringe and imbedded needle that gives you a single dose of anti-allergic medication when pressed against the thighs. It is important to note the expiration date of the medication to ensure its effectiveness. See to it that you and the people closest to you know how to administer the auto-injector drug, because in cases of anaphylactic emergencies, such knowledge can spell all the difference in saving your life.
Immunotherapy
Should you be diagnosed to have a bee sting allergy, your physician may prescribe that you get allergy shots or immunotherapy. These shots are given regularly for a couple of years and can reduce or out right eliminate your allergic reaction to bee stings.