bee sting

injury caused by the venom of a bee. The resulting pain can be relieved by sodium bicarbonate, a few drops of ammonia, or calamine lotion; a paste made from unseasoned meat tenderizer effectively breaks down the protein of the venom and diminishes its harmful effects. Cold compresses help prevent swelling. The skin should not be scratched as that may lead to infection. The insect's stinger should be removed as quickly as possible. A health care provider should be consulted promptly if the pain or swelling persists, if the sting is on the tongue or in the mouth, or if any systemic allergic reaction occurs, such as generalized urticaria (itching). Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as collapse or swelling of the body, indicate anaphylaxis and require immediate medical treatment.

bee sting

A sting from a bee or other hymenopteran—e.g., yellow jackets, hornets and wasps—which can trigger allergic reactions of variable severity; avoidance and prompt treatment are essential, especially with adrenaline/epinephrine autoinjectors. In selected cases, allergy injection therapy may be effective.

Lab
Increased mast cell tryptase, specific IgE antibodies.

bee sting

Immunology A sting from bees and other stinging insects including yellow jackets, hornets and wasps can trigger allergic reactions of variable severity; avoidance and prompt treatment are essential; in selected cases, allergy injection therapy is highly effective

Patient discussion about bee sting

Q. How to treat a bee sting? We went on a picnic today and my son was stung by a bee. How to treat it?

A. if your son is allergic to bees venom- you need to inject epinephrine very fast and take him to the nearest hospital. but if his not allergic- nothing. if the bee left it's sting try removing it with flicking motion of the fingers, not by grabbing it- this will inject any venom that didn't enter right inside. and calm the kid down and tell him it's not the end of the world. the bee probably though he is a flower and tasted like nectar.

Q. what do i do first if i got stung by a bee? and i am allergic ... :)

A. People who are known to be severely allergic to bee sting usually carry on themselves an adrenaline injection (called epipen etc.), which should be given in order to prevent serious complications of the allergic reaction (like blockage of air flow to the lungs and shock), and then seek medical attention.

However, these measures are prescribed by a doctor, so if you have any questions regarding this subject, you should consult one (e.g. immunologist).

You may read more here:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/anaphylaxis/DS00009

More discussions about bee sting

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References in periodicals archive

Personnel with no known bee allergies are still at risk for systemic anaphylaxis as discussed above, which may be exacerbated by multiple bee stings (16) which is often seen when attacked by Africanized honey bees.

Honey bee swarms aboard the USNS comfort: recommendations for sting prevention, swarm removal, and medical readiness on military ships

A diagnosis of massive envenomation by multiple bee stings with severe systemic reaction of grade IV on Muller grading system was made and patient was immediately put on ventilator support without any delay.

A rare case of massive envenomation of honey bees with anaphylaxis

Consider referral to a pediatric allergy specialist if a child has a history of adverse or severe reactions to bee stings. The risk of future severe reactions, including anaphylaxis, will be elevated in a patient who has already spent any time in the emergency department, for example.

Helping your patient with a bee sting allergy

As an important antecedent, the patient related having had a bee sting to the left eye 6 months before presentation.

Picadura de abeja en la cornea. Informe de un caso

Pathologist Melissa Conrad Stoppler said that about 3% of people stung by bees and wasps have an allergic reaction to the sting, and up to 0.8% of bee sting people experience the severe and life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.

Bee stings alternative treatment method

In the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, there were seven deaths due to bee stings in 1993-1998; considering a total of 2 462 accidents recorded, the lethality was 0.3% (6).

Mortalidad por picaduras de himenopteros en Costa Rica, 1985-2006

To guard against bee stings: Don't wear perfumes or colognes, and don't wear bright colors and bold or flowered clothing.

Ask Doctor Cory

In summary, knowing what to do in the event of a bee sting and knowing how to prevent one is valuable information.

Bee stings

Bee and wasp stings, and whitetail spider bites were the most common envenomations with 93.3% having treated bee stings, 84.6% wasp stings and 81.8% white tail spider bites.

The attitude of Australian homoeopathic practitioners to the treatment of bites and stings: a questionnaire study

On the primary outcome measure, the cumulative number of new gadolinium-enhancing lesions on T1-weighted MRI, there were no differences between the period of bee sting therapy and the period of no therapy (Neurology 2005;65:1764-8).

Apitherapy for multiple sclerosis

-- Respondents preferred bee honey and bee sting treatment because of the low costs and less side effects.

Prevalence of therapeutic use of bee sting & bee honey in Sudan (Case Study: Sudanese Honey Center, Asilat Honey Center, & Omdurman Teaching Hospital)

A BARCLAYS Bank commercial which shows a man suffering a bee sting reaction is offensive and distressing to people with allergies, the industry watchdog ruled.

Bee sting advert sparks outrage