What to do with a wasp, bee, hornet, or bumblebee sting

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

These important first aid rules can save your life or someone else's.

In most cases, the bite of a hornet, wasp, bee or bumblebee is not dangerous, although it hurts. But in about 2% of those affected by insect and animal bites, it causes a powerful allergic reaction that can quickly lead to death.

The fact is that the venom of bees, wasps and their relatives contains many biologically active substances that provoke the immune system to attack. If you are unlucky and your immunity is particularly aggressive against this type of toxin, the risk increases.

However, in order to suffer greatly after meeting wasps or bees, sometimes you don't even have to be allergic. It is enough to run into a swarm of these insects.

To receive a lethal dose of poison, 500 bites are enough for a healthy non-allergic person. But usually a toxic reaction of one strength or another occurs after five.

It is important to be able to recognize an anaphylactic reaction. In some cases, this can save a life - yours or a person who is nearby.

When to call an ambulance immediately

These signs of Insect Sting Allergy Treatment indicate that life is at stake:

• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• sudden hoarseness or trouble speaking;
• feeling as if it is impossible to inhale, as if the airways are closing;
• too large (more than 5 cm in diameter) swelling from a bite in the face or tongue;
• stinging from the inside of the throat (this happens if by accident, for example, with a drink, you swallow a bee or a wasp);
• red spots or hives on the body outside of the bite site;
• nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting;
• rapid pulse;
• anxiety, dizziness, severe weakness.

In the United States, the mortality rate from insect and animal bites from bee, wasp, hornet or bumblebee stings is 3 times higher than from rattlesnake bites.

Do not hesitate to call emergency help: most deaths from allergic reactions to insect poisons occur within the first hour after the bite. But it is necessary to observe the stung for 3 hours in order to notice the appearance of threatening symptoms.

How to help a victim while an ambulance is traveling

Experts from the respected research organization Mayo Clinic recommend Insect bites and stings: First aid to do this.

Introduce adrenaline as soon as possible

Ask the stung if he has an adrenaline autoinjector. If a person is allergic, this device can be with him. If not, send someone urgently or run yourself to the nearest pharmacy for an adrenaline injection.

It is necessary to inject the drug into the outer part of the thigh. Do not inject into a vein, gluteus muscle, leg below the knee, or arm, as this can damage tissue.

Several injections may be needed. If after 10-15 minutes the condition does not improve and breathing difficulties, nausea, weakness persist, inject adrenaline again.

Lay the victim horizontally

On the back or on the side - it doesn't matter, as long as the person is comfortable. Remove from tight clothing and cover with a blanket, jacket, sweater. Avoid eating or drinking as this may induce vomiting.

Initiate CPR as needed

If the person is not breathing and / or has no heartbeat, give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions.

What to do if there are no signs of anaphylactic shock

Exhale. Most likely, the bite will be limited to standard symptoms: a sharp burning pain at the site of the sting, swelling of the area around the bite and an increase in skin temperature.

To reduce discomfort, do Bees, Wasps, and Hornets this way.

• Wash the bite with soap and water.
• Carefully (this is important!) Remove the sting, if present. For example, wrap a piece of gauze around your finger and, using stroking, pushing movements, make the pity come out from under the skin.
• Apply something cold to the bite: an ice pack wrapped in a thin cloth, a metal spoon, a cloth soaked in ice water. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes. This will reduce the swelling.
• To relieve itching, take an antihistamine or apply a gruel of baking soda and water to the bite. in a ratio of 2: 1 … Calamine lotion will also be effective.
• To relieve pain, take a acetaminophen or ibuprofen pain reliever.

What should not be done in any case

• Pull out the sting roughly. The bee leaves it in the skin along with the poisonous glands. You can crush them and worsen the effects of the bite. For the same reason, tweezers cannot be used.
• Comb the bite site. This will only increase the swelling and itching, and infection can get into the wound.