Treatment for Wasp Stings and Bee Stings
Bee stings are bound to happen if you spend any significant amount of time outdoors
. In a majority of cases when people think they've been stung by a bee, the culprit is actually a wasp. Wasps are much more aggressive than bees in general, are able to sting multiple times, and unfortunately for the victim, wasp stings are generally more painful than bee stings.
Want an easy way to tell whether it was a bee or a wasp? Look for a stinger. Bees leave their stingers behind in your skin and will die as a result. Wasps, on the other hand, are able to sting again and again and fly away unharmed.
Either way, if you are stung, move away from the area. Do not swat at any wasps or bees you see; wasps can sting you again, and the sudden movement is likely to attract more wasps or bees.
For most people, reaction to a wasp or bee sting will be minor and may include:
*Severe initial pain
*A bump at the sting site
*Itching and pain at the sting site
All of these symptoms should subside within a few hours or a few days. To treat a sting effectively at home:
*If there is a stinger, remove it as quickly as possible.
*Wash the sting site with soap and water and treat with antibiotic ointment.
*Apply ice wrapped in cloth to the sting site for mild pain relief.
*Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen as needed for pain.
*Take an antihistamine for itching.
More severe reactions may occur in individuals suffering multiple stings or with a particular allergy or sensitivity to bees or wasps. If you have had an allergic reaction to a bee or wasp sting in the past, seek emergency medical treatment immediately. If you have an allergy kit or an epinephrine shot (Epi-Pen), use it according to the instructions you were given. Severe reactions to stings may include:
*A toxic reaction to the quantity of venom from multiple stings
*Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that can cause difficulty breathing
*Serum sickness, which causes flu-like symptoms and hives that develop one to two weeks after the sting
*Redness and swelling that extends beyond the immediate sting site, but should subside in several days
Be sure to seek emergency medical treatment if you have more than 10 to 20 stings, if you were stung in the mouth, throat, or eye, or if you have any allergic symptoms or other severe reactions to the sting.
Some doctors recommend that you get a tetanus booster shot within a few days of suffering a sting if it has been more than a decade since your last shot.
Don't go hunting for a nest or hive and risk further harm; wasps in particular are notoriously territorial and fiercely defensive of their hives. Avoid the infested area if possible. If you do re-enter the area, wear protective, neutral-colored clothing and try to wait until evening, when the insects will be less active. Non-toxic wasp traps can attract wasps toward the trap and away from you, and a professional exterminator is a good option when a nest or hive is discovered in a place that will continue to present a hazard to humans or pets.
Treatment for Wasp Stings and Bee Stings
By: Mike Uhl
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