Treat a Bee Sting
Bees and wasps, unlike other insects, are known to cause the most medical problems to people who get stung by them. Bees (wasps or hornets) sting when they feel threatened or their nest or hive is disturbed. The sad news is that since these types of insects live in colonies, if you get stung by one, you could get stung by many. This can be very dangerous to children, and often adults. Children can produce a more severe reaction due to age and weight, and most be monitored very closely.
Symptoms of a bee sting and why they occur
When a bee stings you, it deposits its venom inside of you. The stinger is actually a barb that has a sac of poison. Once stung, the stinger breaks off the bee and the barb continues "pump" venom into the skin. A bee's venom is poisonous, and it's important not to minimize the fact that you've been stung. The venom creates an immune response, and histamine levels begin to rise. Many reactions remain localized to the site but occasionally, the reaction can become systemic . In the United States, approximately 40 people die every year from the venom that's transmitted from the bee into the victim's skin.
How to treat a bee sting
You should know what to watch for, and be prepared to treat the sting, regardless of where you are when it occurs. If you know that you are allergic to bee stings, and you don't have an allergy kit with you, then seek medical attention immediately.
If you are not allergic to bee stings, then you have several choices to alleviate the pain and swelling:
- Remove the stinger as quickly as possible
- Apply ice to the area of the skin where the bee stung you, however be careful not to freeze the skin
- Take Benadryl to minimize the body's response and help any itching symptoms
- Wash the area with soap and water
As with any insect bite, it's best to monitor the area of the skin that was stung for one to two hours. Additionally, pay attention to any reactions that you may have physically, in case you become allergic and need to seek medical care.
Read testimonials about using Wounded Warrior on bee stings.
|
