Bee sting: symptoms, possible consequences, treatment methods

With the advent of the first rays of sunlight, representatives of the insect kingdom also wake up. Along with flies and mosquitoes, wasps, wasps, bumblebees and bees fly out of their shelters. They are also attracted to flowering plants just like humans. As a result, many people suffer from stinging insect attacks. Moreover, both the sting of a wild bee and one living in a hive in an apiary are dangerous. The body can react to a bee sting in different ways, ranging from slight swelling to loss of consciousness when anaphylactic shock occurs. This article will tell you what to do in such situations and how to help the victim to prevent complications.

General information

Bee stings occur frequently, especially in the warm season.
They are quite painful, and after a bite, redness and swelling appear at the site of the lesion. As a rule, such symptoms soon disappear and the person feels normal. But in some cases, insect bites, particularly bees, can lead to allergic reactions that can be life-threatening. Therefore, it is very important to provide the victim with timely first aid and monitor his condition. And those who are prone to allergic reactions should be given immediate hospitalization. Indeed, sometimes an allergy can develop even after a person is stung by one insect. But multiple bites are especially dangerous. Bee venom, which the insect introduces into the body through its sting, is dangerous for humans. And when attacked by a large number of bees, a general toxic reaction can develop, which is expressed by a significant deterioration in the general condition. Sometimes this condition is deadly. What symptoms can develop from bee stings, and what needs to be done to quickly alleviate the victim’s condition, can be found in this article.

A bit of Wikipedia

Honey bee (Apidae)

A bee (lat. Anthophila) is a flying insect from the order Hymenoptera. At the moment, more than 21 thousand species of bees have been identified and described. They are found everywhere except Antarctica, which is logical. Bees feed on nectar and pollen. They have the property of eusociality - a certain form of organization of communities of animals and insects, in which some individuals do not participate in the reproduction process, but are busy obtaining food and protecting the group.

In our latitudes, honey bees, members of the family “True bees” (Apidae), predominate. Bees play a vital role for the ecosystem and humans in particular, pollinating various plants. “If bees suddenly disappear, then after four years man will disappear too” - these are not my words, Einstein said them (but there is another, more boring, version of the origin of this phrase).

Pathogenesis

Bees have sharp stings that are located on the abdomen - at its rear end. The insect injects poison through its sting, which causes pain, irritation, and sometimes allergic reactions. Unlike other insects, bees leave a sting in the wound. The sting can gradually go deeper on its own and at the same time release poison. That is why it needs to be removed as soon as possible.

Bee venom contains phospholipase A , which produces a hemolyzing effect. red blood cells disintegrate at the site of exposure . Melittin is a linear polypeptide that has toxic effects. Under its influence, edema forms, blood vessels become more permeable, convulsions and coronary disorders develop. Apamin is a powerful neurotoxin that affects the bulbar centers as well as the spinal cord. It may depress breathing. However, if a person is bitten by one insect, then the concentration of the substance is not sufficient to cause pronounced pathological reactions. But with multiple bites, the reaction can be pronounced.

If an allergic reaction develops, it can occur in the form of anaphylactic shock , angioedema, or urticaria .

How to avoid bee stings

When going out into nature where there may be bees, you should learn the following:

• Clothes should not be bright. These colors attract bees and other flying insects.
• There is no need to overindulge in sweets. If there are any, then very carefully. Bees and wasps love to flock to sweets, and there is a danger of being bitten in one of the most dangerous areas - the lower part of the face. Bees are also attracted to pungent odors, such as perfume or alcohol.
• If the bees do flock together, you need to remain motionless. Waving your arms will alert and anger the insects. There is also no need to be afraid, as bees sense the adrenaline released and become more aggressive. You just need to make sure that insects don’t fly under your clothes (in nature you should generally wear covered fabric), and if they land too brazenly, carefully blow them away.

Classification

Depending on the severity of the process, the condition is divided into several types:

• Mild - only local signs appear, there are no pronounced general symptoms. It is noted after the bite of one or more insects.
• Moderate – characterized by local symptoms, as well as moderate manifestation of general symptoms. Develops as a consequence of the toxic effects of poison. Urticaria may develop , as well as angioedema , which does not affect the airways. Hypersensitivity reactions are possible. The functions of the nervous system are disrupted if a person is bitten by several dozen insects.
• Severe – anaphylactic shock and severe toxic reactions . An allergy to a bee sting can lead to obstruction of the upper respiratory tract. The central nervous system and peripheral nervous system are affected. An allergic reaction most often occurs after a person has been stung by a large number of bees.

Who bit

Before talking about providing assistance, you should find out whether the person was stung by a bee or a wasp, since the number of manipulations necessary in such cases may vary. Wasps are more aggressive. This behavior of insects is explained by the ability to sting their prey repeatedly, without causing harm to themselves in such cases. In addition, wasp venom acts much faster than bee venom.

On a note!

Bees are less aggressive than wasps and attack humans only when defending their nest. Moreover, you will need to work hard to anger the insect. After all, by inflicting a bite, the female dies, leaving a harpoon-shaped sting in the victim’s body. As a result, swelling and redness appear after a bee or wasp sting. The reason for this is the poison contained in a special reservoir located at the end of the sting. When a toxic compound enters the human body, it begins to actively fight it. As a result, an inflammatory process occurs, accompanied by negative consequences.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms that develop after an insect bite are:

• The appearance of a sharp and burning pain, soon the pain may be replaced by itching.
• Redness of the affected area, while a white dot appears in the center where the sting has penetrated.
• Development of edema.

As a rule, with a single bite, the pain and burning sensation does not last long. Then swelling develops. Redness and swelling disappear after a few days; discomfort may subside a little earlier. The papule persists for about a week. If a bee stings the eye area, the swelling may last longer. blepharitis may also develop . If the poison penetrates the mucous membranes, their pronounced swelling is noted.

If an allergic reaction develops, the following manifestations are added to the main symptoms:

• Very severe swelling in the affected area, which progresses quickly.
• Severe itching and rash all over the body.
• Vomiting, nausea.
• Difficulty breathing - a symptom reminiscent of asthma.

In severe cases, vascular collapse may develop, consciousness is depressed, the functioning of the respiratory center is disrupted, and respiratory activity is weakened.

With urticaria , pink blisters appear on the body, which resemble pimples after being attacked by nettles.

With Quincke's edema, those areas of the body where there is a lot of subcutaneous tissue increase. Damage to the upper respiratory tract area is especially dangerous.

In anaphylactic shock , there is generalized itching of the skin, a sharp drop in blood pressure, chest pain, collapse, and loss of consciousness.

Bee venom getting into the eye

A bite to the eyelid, at first glance, does not threaten anything other than swelling. The eye may become swollen. The consequence can be severe diseases of the eye apparatus, which cause loss of vision.

These include inflammation of the eyelids, mucous membranes, purulent inflammation of the eye tissues, cataracts and glaucoma.

Swelling of the eye when bitten

If such a dangerous situation arises, you cannot hesitate, use traditional methods and hope that “it will go away on its own.”

Treatment and observation by a professional ophthalmologist.

Tests and diagnostics

Bee sting photo

It is usually possible to determine that a person has been bitten by a bee visually. But if we are talking about severe allergic reactions, then you have to call emergency help, whose doctors will examine you and make a preliminary diagnosis.

If necessary, if a person develops severe reactions, additional examinations are carried out.

• Physical blood pressure are measured . The doctor examines the skin to determine whether there are signs of allergies . Listening to the lungs may be performed.
• Laboratory - a general blood test is performed to determine signs of the inflammatory process
• Hardware - its use is advisable only in the development of pronounced systemic manifestations. Ultrasound, radiography, and ECG are used.

Photos of people stung by bees

Despite its beneficial properties, a bee sting causes significant discomfort. In order not to face its consequences, it is necessary to take preventive measures in time. It is advisable to avoid places where insects gather. People who drink alcohol should be especially careful, as bees react to the smell of ethanol. After discovering a bite, it is recommended to consult a doctor. This will help you get the most benefits from an unpleasant incident. On average, the recovery process takes 2-7 days. Photos of people who were stung by bees are shown below.

Treatment with folk remedies

Those who are looking for an answer to the question of what to do if they are bitten by a bumblebee at home can be advised to use some folk remedies. But this can only be done if the bite of a bumblebee or bee does not cause serious systemic reactions.

If your arm or leg is swollen after a hornet or bee sting, you can remove the swelling using the following methods:

• Honey - it should be applied to the bite site after the sting is removed. Honey activates healing processes.
• Coconut oil – this should be applied to the bandage and secured to the affected area. The oil reduces the severity of swelling and reduces the inflammatory process.
• Lavender oil – the area should be treated with essential oil, which relieves signs of inflammation.
• Baking Soda – Mix baking soda with water to form a thick paste. This product should be applied to the affected area and secured with a bandage. It effectively reduces swelling and itching.
• Parsley or dandelion juice is an effective remedy if there are no medications at hand. Fresh juice should be squeezed onto the wound.
• Vegetable oil - to reduce the severity of irritation, lubricate the bite with olive or sunflower oil.

What not to do if stung by a bee

Here are a couple of tips on what you should never do if you or your child are bitten by a bee:

1. Do not kill or crush the bee. The fact is that even the dead body of a bee exudes special substances that attract other bees nearby.
2. Do not rub or scratch the bite area. This will only make the situation worse. In addition, the wound can become infected.
3. Refrain from drinking alcohol, as it dilates blood vessels, facilitating the rapid spread of poison throughout the body.
4. Do not use clay, river or lake water as a cooling compress. You can become infected with tetanus.
5. Also, you should not take sleeping pills, as they increase the effect of the poison on the body.

First aid

If a person is bitten by an insect, you need to follow the following algorithm:

• Find the sting and carefully remove it using tweezers. The sting should not be squeezed out, as such actions lead to the spread of poison.
• Disinfect the bite site using any antiseptic or saline solution (1 teaspoon of salt per glass of water).
• Apply cold - ice, a towel soaked in cold water or a cold heating pad.
• Treat the bite site with ointment.
• Take any antihistamine.
• To drink a lot of water.

If a person experiences a severe allergic reaction, it is important to call an ambulance immediately. The victim should be laid down, covered, and covered with warm heating pads. It is necessary to immediately give him an antihistamine.

If the heart has stopped and there is no breathing, cardiopulmonary resuscitation is performed: cardiac massage, artificial respiration.

Composition of bee venom

Bee venom is secreted by special glands of the insect and is intended to protect against enemies. The poison is produced by insects consuming pollen. It tastes bitter and has a pungent odor that can be smelled by a bee sting.

Most of the composition of bee venom consists of protein substances, which are divided into enzymes and peptides. Enzymes provide sensitivity to venom enzymes. These protein substances are dangerous for allergy sufferers. Peptides, on the contrary, stimulate hormonal, protein, fat, mineral and water metabolism in the body.

Bee venom contains acids - hydrochloric and formic, which dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure.

Composition of bee venom:

• phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and copper – 33.1%;
• carbon – 43.6%;
• hydrogen – 7.1%;
• phospholipids – 52%;
• glucose – 2%;

Benefits of bee venom

The beneficial properties of bee venom have been known for a long time. With the help of this natural remedy, many pathologies are treated, which is explained by the large number of useful components included in its composition:

1. Apamin - regulates the functioning of the central nervous system.
2. Hyaluronidase - promotes wound healing and eliminates adhesions.
3. Phospholipase - prevents the formation of blood clots.

If there is no acute allergic reaction to bee venom, then the benefit is undoubted, and the consequences of the sting can be eliminated very quickly.

Prevention

To prevent such lesions and avoid serious consequences, you must follow these recommendations:

• Determine whether there is a risk of developing allergic reactions. If this tendency is confirmed, it is important to have antihistamines on hand.
• Do not walk barefoot, do not go deep into the bushes.
• Carefully inspect picnic areas before pitching a tent or eating area.
• Use protective nets on windows.
• Wear protective clothing if necessary.
• It should be noted that bees sting if they feel threatened. Therefore, you should not make sudden movements near the hive or a place where there are a lot of insects. They are also irritated by strong odors, in particular perfumes and smoke.

How to relieve swelling from a bee sting on the second day

If the swelling has not been treated for more than a day, then it will be a little more difficult to quickly get rid of it. Here you will have to use antiallergic drugs in the form of ointments and tablets. Traditional recipes - baths, lotions and the like will also not hurt, but you need to make sure that they do not cause more harm.

Drug treatment

Medicines can be prescribed both local and systemic. They are prescribed based on the presence of a generalized allergic reaction. Doctors prescribe the following types of medications:

• Glucocorticoids.
• Antihistamine tablets.
• Parenteral glucocorticoids.

Diet

Hypoallergenic diet

• Efficacy: therapeutic effect after 21-40 days
• Timing: constantly
• Cost of products: 1300-1400 rubles. in Week

If a person is stung by an insect, he should be sure to consume a sufficient amount of fluid. You need to drink clean water, as well as weak tea, fruit drinks, and compotes.

Nutrition should be healthy and nutritious. If a person has a tendency to allergies, foods that provoke allergic reactions should be excluded from the menu.

Consequences and complications

The most common complications are respiratory failure as a consequence of angioedema . In the absence of medical care, a person may die.

Anaphylactic shock is also a serious complication, with a mortality rate of about 50% (without treatment).

After multiple bites, multiple organ failure may develop, which later results in intratubular necrosis .

But in most cases, the consequences of a bee sting, like the consequences of a bumblebee sting, are not serious, and all manifestations disappear after a few days.

Bee sting: benefit or harm

Since bee venom has medicinal properties, apitherapy , that is, treatment with bee stings, is practiced. The benefit of this method is associated with a number of components contained in the poison. These are phosphoric and hydrochloric acid, proteins, fats, etc.

However, the harm associated with the risk of allergic reactions should be taken into account. Bee venom contains histamine, which provokes allergic reactions. Another component of melitin is a toxin that destroys red blood cells. The substance phospholipase destroys cell membranes and walls, and apamin provokes stimulation of the nervous system.

However, the complex of the listed components also produces a therapeutic effect. With the help of apitherapy, you can reduce the severity of inflammation, stimulate the immune system , improve blood microcirculation, etc. But in no case should such treatment be practiced without the assistance of an experienced specialist.

Death after bee attack

The question “How many bee stings are fatal to humans?” interests many. It all depends on the poison found in insects. Apitoxin is produced in bees in special glands. Each individual has a reservoir of poison. It contains about 0.007-0.009 g of a toxic substance. If a bee stings, approximately 0.008 g of apitoxin enters the body. A healthy person can handle this amount without problems.

If a person is bitten by bees in large numbers, then death can occur. Experts have found that for a strong adult man, the lethal dose of bee venom is 0.15-0.2 g. This amount of poison is left by 200-450 insects. For women and children, 150-250 one-time bee stings are enough to die. Death in this case is recorded due to severe intoxication.

How to treat a bee sting

Additional Information. Bee venom in small quantities has a positive effect on the human body. Thanks to apitoxin, the immune system is strengthened, nerves return to normal, and blood pressure increases.