Bee Stings

Bee stings can be really bad and they are really painful. It is different from an insect bite but can be broadly classified as an insect bite. Therefore the results are most of the time allergic reactions and infection. The allergic reactions can be serious than the infection. Bees commonly sting when they are disturbed and they feel that their hives are threatened. It is also believed that a worker honeybee can sting only once which is true to an extent as it is said that a when a bee stings a mammal its sting is tore off its abdomen which leads to the death of the bee but in some bees it is seen that their stings have the ability to come out clean even after stinging.

It is also said that when a bee feels that there is threat to its hive then it releases pheromones which is a signal for the other bees to come for help and defense. The swarm does not leave the victim until they feel the threat has subsided. The venom that the bees inject in a person is called mellitin, which is a combination of histamines and other biogenic amines, which are the main causes of pain and itching.

Symptoms of Bee Stings

The Symptoms of bee stings are as follows:

• Redness in the area that is stung
• Pain
• Swelling of that area
• Itching

In case the infection is severe the symptoms may also include:

• Increased pain
• Dizziness
• Formation of hives in the stung area
• Giddiness and vomiting
• Queasy feeling in the chest and throat
• Heavy breathing
• Increase in the area of swelling
• Abdominal Pain

Bee stings can be fatal for people who have a very sensitive skin and who are allergic. Their immunity systems work harder than the normal immune systems and therefore they overreact to venoms and allergens. Some people also get overtly stressed and shocked and the pain is aggravated to an extent due to the panic, fear and shock of the victim. Then there are people who are already weak, therefore to fail to put up a resistance towards multiple stings. It is necessary to provide proper first aid to prevent further complications.

First Aid for Bee Stings

If a person is stung by a bee these are the following steps that one should follow:

• First and foremost it is necessary to take out the stinger which has a venom sac attached to it. So if you push and pull it might release more venom so the best way to take it out is to scrap it with a blunt object like the blunt end of the kitchen knife or your credit card.
• After you have done that the area has to be washed with an antiseptic soap or liquid repeatedly until the pain and the itching alleviate.
• Apply ice pack at regular intervals, which will also help to reduce the swelling and the pain. The redness would also decrease after a few ice packs and antiseptic wash.
• A painkiller can also be taken to avoid pains, which might remain for the first few hours and an ointment can also be applied to get rid of the pain and the swelling. Some people also use calamine or a paste of baking soda.
• In case the reaction is severe, an anti-histamine tablet would help along with the regular anti allergy medication that one might be taking or as prescribed by the doctor.