Is there any benefit from a wasp sting or only harm?

Insect bites are usually unexpected, and the resulting allergic reactions to their stings can be catastrophic. Allergens cause a reaction when they enter the body along with poison, either by contact or inhalation. The most severe allergic reactions occur in response to the bites of insects from the order Hymenoptera - bees, wasps and hornets.

In the summer we spend a lot of time outside, working in the country, relaxing in nature. But even an ordinary stay in the fresh air can result in unpleasant surprises. Blood-sucking and poisonous insects can not only ruin your vacation, but also cause serious health problems. Contacts with them are often unpredictable, invisible and can lead to a reaction to insect allergens. As a result, either mild local or systemic reactions occur, which can even cause death. Laboratory detection of sensitization (increased sensitivity of the body) to insect allergens will allow you to avoid serious complications. The DILA laboratory offers a study of the Allergopanel “Insect Poisons” of 5 allergens, which will help determine the possible development of allergic reactions to the most dangerous insects from the point of view of an allergist - wasps, hornets and bees.

Who is the examination recommended for?

• patients with severe allergic reactions to insects;
• children with allergic symptoms that manifest themselves during stay in areas where insects accumulate - in apiaries, in farmsteads, in the open air.

If the study confirms sensitization, it is recommended to consult an allergist. The doctor will provide the necessary information about the rules of behavior when bitten, prescribe additional examination and special treatment.

Composition of wasp venom

The components that make up wasp venom have a rapid effect on the nervous system at the cellular level. Important tasks for the body are performed by acetylcholine and serotonin, which are responsible for transmitting nerve impulses to the central nervous system.

By actively affecting nerve endings, wasp venom provokes a sharp reaction of the immune system.

The composition of wasp secretion includes the following components:

The first enzyme causes serious damage to the central nervous system. Exposure to histamine and toxins provokes the activation of inflammatory processes and an allergic reaction. For allergy sufferers, there is a risk of developing urticaria, fever, and Quincke's edema.

Under the influence of phospholipids, healthy cells are destroyed, which causes severe pain and inflammatory processes, manifested by swelling at the bite sites. Hyaluronidase has similar toxic properties.

What does a wasp sting look like?

A wasp sting is slightly different from other hymenopteran insect stings (such as bees). This is due to the peculiarity of the wasp's sting, as well as the stronger toxins of the venom. So, let's look at the photo:

Insect allergy and features of its therapy

Insect allergens can cause the development of sensitization when they enter the body in several ways: with poison - when stung by Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, etc.); with saliva - when bitten by insects of the order Diptera (gnats, mosquitoes, etc.); inhalation and contact methods - with scales, larvae of butterflies, crickets, beetles, etc. [1].

An allergy to insect bites occurs in the form of an immediate or delayed reaction at the site of the bite. Typically, the bite of blood-sucking insects (mosquitoes, mosquitoes, fleas) causes local manifestations in the form of swelling, redness and polymorphic rash (papular, urticarial, hemorrhagic, bullous, necrotic forms) and, extremely rarely, serious allergic reactions. Sometimes an erysipelas-like reaction in the form of acute erythema may occur to midge bites, occurring without an increase in temperature and enlargement of regional lymph nodes. Mosquito saliva allergens can also cause the development of an itchy nodular rash (phlebotoderma). Rare cases of generalized urticarial rash following the bite of even one blood-sucking insect have been described [1, 2].

The greatest danger is the sting of hymenoptera insects, which can cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock. The most common allergen that causes the development of allergies is the venom of wasps and bees; bumblebees sting very rarely [2]. Moreover, bumblebees and bees sting only in cases when they are provoked.

Insect allergies are more common in summer and autumn. Insects sting when carrying out gardening work, in picnic areas; they are also attracted to yard garbage cans and compost pits; Don’t forget about wasp nests, which are usually located under eaves and in attics. A single exposure to large doses of insect venom through a sting is comparable to the annual dose of inhaled pollen allergens. The development of such high-dose sensitization explains why the prevalence of atopy among patients with IgE sensitization to poisons is the same as in the normal population [3].

A normal reaction to insect stings usually involves mild localized redness and swelling, while a severe localized reaction typically involves erythema and severe swelling that may progress over 24 to 48 hours and may persist for more than 10 days. At the same time, the patient may experience weakness, malaise, and nausea. In rare cases, infection and inflammation of the subcutaneous fat occur [2].

Local reactions are treated by applying a cold compress to the bite site, external therapy with topical antipruritic drugs (Fenistil gel, Psilobalzam) is also used, the patient is given a new generation antihistamine (loratadine, cetirizine, etc.). In case of a severe local reaction, topical non-fluorinated corticosteroids (methylprednisolone aciponate, mometasone furoate, etc.) are prescribed. In the most severe cases of local reaction, a 2-3-day course of prednisolone at a dose of 30-40 mg/day is justified.

In approximately 5% of patients with a history of severe local reaction, a repeated insect sting may develop a generalized systemic reaction with a life-threatening condition - anaphylactic shock. Most often, such reactions are caused by stings of wasps, bees, and less commonly, bumblebees and hornets; in 30% of cases, patients cannot name the type of insect that stung them.

In the United States, about 50 people die each year from insect sting allergies. Anaphylactic shock to a sting is also considered one of the causes of unexplained sudden death. The majority of deaths in 1998 in this country were observed in people aged 40–60 years, most often in men (28%), extremely rarely in children (1 case among children aged 0–9 years) [4]. In Kazan, according to prof. R. S. Fassakhova and co-authors, from 1993 to 1998, 55 patients with an allergy to insect stings aged from 16 to 70 years were admitted to the allergy department [5]. In 44% of cases, the reactions were caused by the sting of wasps, in 31% of cases - by bees, and by a hornet - in 1 case. In a population study, we did not identify a single case of systemic allergy to insect bites during a survey of 2147 Moscow schoolchildren (2003) [6].

Reactions to the sting of hymenoptera insects are divided into allergic, toxic and pseudo-allergic. Hypersensitivity to insect venom or saliva is triggered by immunological mechanisms of the immediate type with the inclusion of allergen-specific IgE antibodies. Toxic reactions occur when a large number of insects sting simultaneously and are induced by the action of a number of mediators contained in their venom. Based on the clinical picture, it is sometimes quite difficult to distinguish a toxic reaction from an allergic reaction. In some patients, 2–7 days after a sting, reactions resembling serum sickness may occur (arthralgia, urticarial rash, malaise, fever). Such patients, if stung again, have a high risk of developing anaphylactic shock [2].

We have already talked about local reactions to insect bites. Systemic reactions occur much more often than local ones (up to 70% of all cases of insect stings) and, according to some authors, can vary in severity [2, 4]. However, the clinical symptoms of anaphylactic shock caused by an insect sting, although they can vary in manifestations and severity, are no different from anaphylactic shock of any etiology [4].

In patients with anaphylactic shock, hemodynamic disturbances occur in 100% of cases: decreased blood pressure, weakness, dizziness. Other typical clinical symptoms of anaphylactic shock are diffuse erythema, rash, urticaria and/or angioedema; bronchospasm; laryngoedema and/or cardiac arrhythmia. The patient may also experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, loss of consciousness; in 5–8% of cases - headache, convulsions, chest pain.

Generalized urticaria or angioedema is the most common clinical manifestation of anaphylaxis (92%) and is observed both in isolation as a single symptom and against the background of severe anaphylaxis [7]. However, skin symptoms may appear later or be absent if anaphylaxis progresses rapidly. The next most common symptoms are respiratory (angioedema of the larynx, acute bronchospasm), abdominal and gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea) are less common.

Most often, symptoms of anaphylactic shock appear within the first 15 minutes after a sting, and early onset is almost always associated with a more severe course and, accordingly, severe symptoms of the disease. Children have a lower risk of developing recurrent anaphylaxis, especially if their allergy to the sting manifested itself in the form of skin symptoms (urticaria, rash, angioedema). However, in patients of any age with a history of primary severe anaphylactic shock, repeated insect stings can result in relapse of anaphylaxis in 70% of cases [2].

Since the life-threatening symptoms of anaphylaxis can recur, patients should be observed within the first 24 hours after the first manifestations of the disease (in 20% of cases, anaphylactic shock can recur 8-12 hours after the first episode) [7]. Researchers note a biphasic course of anaphylaxis, which is not clinically different from each other, but requires the use of significantly higher doses of adrenaline.

Factors that increase the severity of anaphylactic shock or affect its treatment include the presence of bronchial asthma in the patient, concomitant diseases of the cardiovascular system, drug therapy with β-blockers (Anaprilin, Atenolol, Metoprolol, etc.), inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme and monoamine oxidase. In such cases, on the one hand, the reaction of the respiratory tract to the inflammatory mediators released during anaphylaxis increases, and on the other, the influence of adrenaline decreases: along with severe anaphylaxis, paradoxical bradycardia, hypotension, and severe bronchospasm appear [7]. It has been experimentally proven that in such cases, to relieve bronchospasm and restore β-adrenergic sensitivity in a patient taking β-blockers, the dose of the non-selective β-agonist terbutaline must be increased 80 times [8]. The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (Capoten, Enap) in a number of patients causes coughing, swelling of the larynx or tongue, followed by the development of asphyxia. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (moclobemide, nialamide, etc.) slow down the rate of breakdown of adrenaline, increasing its side effects [2, 8].

The largest number of deaths from insect allergies, recorded in the group of older people, is associated with the presence of concomitant cardiovascular diseases, taking medications and the presence of other age-related pathological changes in the body [8].

Treatment and prevention

Anaphylactic shock requires emergency treatment: the patient’s cardiac and respiratory activity is immediately assessed, and the adequacy of behavior is checked. The drug of choice for anaphylactic shock is adrenaline hydrochloride.

Adrenaline has the following properties:

• has a direct stimulating effect on β- and α-adrenergic receptors. The predominance of the effect of excitation of certain adrenergic receptors depends on the dose of the drug and the level of regional blood flow;
• can cause severe spasm of peripheral vessels, especially in diseases of the kidneys and other internal organs;
• in case of immediate type allergies, it prevents the release of histamine, serotonin, bradykinin and other inflammatory mediators from mast cells and basophils;
• stimulates metabolism, increasing oxygen consumption, causes the development of acidosis due to the accumulation of lactic acid, enhances lipolysis and contributes to the occurrence of hyperglycemia as a result of stimulation of glycogenolysis;
  Depending on the range of doses used, it may have effects:
• vasoconstrictor (on the kidneys, at an injection rate of 1 mcg/min);
• cardiac stimulant (activation of β-adrenergic receptors of the heart): at an injection rate of 1–4 mcg/min;
• increasing α-adrenergic stimulating agent: at an administration rate of 5 to 20 mcg/min;
• predominant α-adrenergic stimulant: at an injection rate > 20 mcg/min [8].

Adrenaline hydrochloride is produced in the form of a 0.1% solution in 1 ml ampoules (at a dilution of 1: 1000 or 1 mg/ml); for intravenous administration, 1 ml of a 0.1% solution of adrenaline is diluted in 9 ml of physiological solution. Adrenaline cannot be diluted in a solution of glucose or sodium bicarbonate. It is important to remember that the activity of adrenaline is also affected by the storage conditions of the drug.

The recommended dosages for intravenous administration are as follows. If anaphylactic reactions develop: 0.1–0.3 ml of adrenaline (at a dilution of 1: 1000) is diluted in 9 ml of sodium chloride solution (from 1: 100,000 to 1: 33,000) followed by infusion for several minutes; repeated administration is possible in case of lack of sensitivity, as well as in case of persistent arterial hypotension.

In case of a severe terminal condition of the patient, a 0.1% solution of adrenaline in a dose of 0.1 ml is diluted in 0.9 ml of the patient’s venous blood (aspirated directly from a vein or catheter) or sodium chloride solution (to obtain a dilution of 1: 10,000), administered intravenously over several minutes; repeatedly - according to indications until systolic blood pressure is maintained above 100 mm Hg. Art. in adults and 50 mm Hg. Art. in children.

As a side effect, adrenaline can cause acute myocardial infarction, severe arrhythmias and metabolic acidosis; small (less than 1 mcg/min) doses of adrenaline can cause the development of acute renal failure.

The likelihood of developing such serious complications is the main reason for the recommendation to refrain from extensive use of epinephrine by patients themselves. However, timely administration of adrenaline is crucial for a favorable outcome of anaphylactic shock. Abroad, this problem has been solved: patients with any history of anaphylactic shock are provided with a special pen syringe - epinephrine in the form of an auto-injector (Epi-Pen, Ana-Kit). Studies are published annually in the scientific literature analyzing the use of epinephrine autoinjectors in patients with insect allergies, as well as a history of food, latex and idiopathic anaphylaxis. There are also studies that highlight the role of training programs for school nurses and school resource officers to promptly administer epinephrine to children with severe allergies and anaphylaxis, which is greatly facilitated by the use of an autoinjector.

Each patient who has suffered anaphylactic shock must be hospitalized in the intensive care unit, where infusion therapy with prednisolone 1–2 mg/kg every 6 hours, saline, and glucose is carried out at the rate of 5–10 ml/kg of the patient’s weight; antihistamines are administered intravenously. For resistant hypotension, dopamine (400 mg in 500 ml saline, injection rate 2–20 mcg/kg/min) is prescribed under blood pressure control (> 90 mmHg) or glucagon (1–5 mg bolus every 5 min). , then dropwise 5–15 mcg/min) until blood pressure normalizes. After 1–2 days, the patient is transferred from the intensive care unit to the allergy or therapeutic department, where he continues hormonal therapy with prednisolone orally at a dose of 10–15 mg for 10 days; prescribe second generation antihistamines (loratadine, cetirizine, etc.), antibiotics (according to indications), monitor kidney, liver, heart function, ECG, and consult a neurologist.

The diagnosis of IgE hypersensitivity to insects must be confirmed by skin or serological tests. To make a correct diagnosis and prescribe allergen-specific therapy, it is important to determine the type of insect that caused the reaction. A local reaction without systemic manifestations (anaphylactic shock) does not require an allergy examination. On the contrary, skin tests for insect allergens are mandatory if a patient of any age has a history of systemic reactions of a life-threatening nature, as well as non-life-threatening systemic manifestations in adults and children (under 16 years of age). Testing is also possible if the patient has a history of local and toxic reactions [4]. In vitro tests have been developed to determine specific IgE antibodies, for example: to the venom of the honey bee, wasp, hornet, horsefly, common mosquito, miller moth, barn weevil, pigeon mite, clothes moth (Allergopharma).

For patients with an allergy to insect stings, allergen-specific therapy is prescribed only in two cases: with a systemic life-threatening reaction and a systemic, non-life-threatening reaction in adults with positive skin tests. Children under 16 years of age with non-life-threatening skin manifestations (for example, generalized urticaria) do not need allergen-specific immunotherapy, even if there are positive specific IgE antibodies in the blood. The duration of specific immunotherapy is at least 5 years [2, 5].

Treatment of patients with allergies to insect stings is a multi-step process, much more complex than doctors and patients themselves sometimes assume. The problem is also that in Russia tests for diagnosing insect allergies are still not produced, and most importantly, there are no domestic or foreign allergen vaccines necessary for carrying out allergen-specific immunotherapy for those patients who need this method of treatment for health reasons. The “rescue” drug adrenaline in the appropriate release form and required dosage is also not available in Russia for patients with severe allergies and a history of anaphylactic shock.

The relevant medical authorities need to consider ways to overcome all these adverse situations. Part of the way to achieve a breakthrough in this direction is to teach patients simple preventive measures, which are often decisive in saving their lives. Patients must follow certain rules, in particular not to attract insects and avoid their bites, for which:

- do not wear perfume or wear bright clothes;

- do not eat ripe fruits on the street, do not go close to garbage cans and compost pits, which attract insects;

- Do not open the car windows while driving.

Parents, teachers and schoolchildren should be made aware of the need to ensure a safe environment for a child at high risk of anaphylactic reactions to insect bites. Each patient with an allergy to insect stings should have a tag or bracelet with information about their diagnosis and written recommendations for emergency measures in the event of a sting [1–5].

For questions regarding literature, please contact the editor.

D. Sh. Macharadze , Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor of RUDN University, Moscow

Effect on the body

Norepinephrine slows down the circulatory system, which prevents the rapid dilution of the toxic substance and washing of the affected area. The main danger is that the bitten person does not know what reaction to the toxic substances will occur.

If you do not treat the affected area of ​​skin in time, you may notice a characteristic reaction.:

To prevent dangerous consequences, the place where the sting was inserted must be quickly processed. In addition to washing, it is advisable to take antihistamines so that the wasp venom is diluted and reduces its harmful effects.

The effect of the poisonous secretion depends on the individual characteristics of the victim. Therefore, if it is unknown whether he is allergic to the components of the wasp secretion, he should be taken to a medical facility as soon as possible.

Peptides

For our body, these substances are information carriers. By transmitting information from cell to cell, they ensure the proper functioning of processes in the body . If any cell fails, disease will begin.

If peptides are introduced into the body, they trigger the process of self-healing. In other words, restoration of the diseased organ begins due to the normalization of its function at the cellular level.

This happens without chemical or surgical intervention.

Serotonin

Thanks to this hormone, areas in the anterior lobe of the brain responsible for cognitive processes are activated.

An increase in muscle tone and motor function occurs when this hormone penetrates the spinal cord.

With a lack of serotonin in the cerebral cortex, a person becomes depressed. It’s not for nothing that this hormone is called the hormone of happiness.

Signs of a wasp sting

Wasps are quite aggressive insects and often attack without warning or special reason. The main symptoms of a wasp sting are:

• sharp severe pain;
• the appearance of swelling at the site of the bite;
• redness of the skin around the bite.

In most cases, wasp stings are limited only to these symptoms, and the pain disappears after 2-3 hours.

However, approximately 1 in 100 people who are bitten will experience a severe allergic reaction, which can even be fatal. A signal that the life of the bitten person is in danger is the appearance of the following signs :

• severe swelling that increases;
• the appearance of rashes and itching throughout the body;
• nausea and vomiting;
• labored breathing;

• pulse instability;
• dizziness;
• convulsions;
• loss of consciousness.

Wasp bite marks.

Consequences of wasp venom on the human body

Now let's see how wasp venom works, so to speak, at the macro level, that is, what symptoms arise.

At the moment of sting, the effect of the poison injected under the skin causes sharp pain, and almost immediately leads to the appearance of a small pale swelling at the site of the bite. After a few minutes, the bite swells more, may turn red, becomes hard, and a feeling of severe itching appears on the skin in its area. At this time, the first symptoms of an allergy may appear - hives, fever, shortness of breath, headache, confusion.

The most severe consequence of a wasp sting is anaphylactic shock - an extreme allergic reaction. It occurs rarely and only in people who are hypersensitive to the venoms of hymenoptera insects. But it is precisely because of anaphylactic shock that the number of deaths from wasp and hornet bites is so high. This reaction develops very quickly, literally within a few minutes after the bite, and sometimes the victim does not even have time to be taken to the hospital.

By and large, the benefit of wasp venom, even if it exists, is completely outweighed by the risk of a dangerous allergic reaction (especially considering that with each subsequent sting, the body’s sensitivity to the venom may increase).

Review

“People are regularly brought to our hospital who are attacked by huge hornets. There are many beekeeping farms in the area, and hornets actively populate all the surrounding forests, as they constantly fight with bees. Usually, after a bite, the patient develops a severe allergy, limited to swelling and rashes on the skin; the temperature may rise and pain in the head may appear. But sometimes there are severe cases, with hemorrhages, laryngeal edema and anaphylaxis. Last year, for example, there were two deaths, one of which was a 12-year-old girl.”

Naomi Kurosaki, Saito

But after special processing in the laboratory, wasp venom can become much safer and useful.

Rescue from wasps and bees - escape

If suddenly you accidentally disturb a wasp's nest and the insects attack, you should retreat as soon as possible. “When attacking, social insects chemically transmit alarm signals to their airborne counterparts, so the first bite may be followed by a second, and a third, and so on. You need to run away decisively, preferably indoors, but if this is not possible, then from an open, illuminated place to a shady place. If possible, it is better to throw a blanket or film that you have on hand as quickly as possible, especially on your head. As a rule, when insects are convinced that the enemy is far enough from the nest, they stop pursuing. I think that they will not pursue more than 100 m. “Any person can run a hundred meters,” says the entomologist.

“As a rule, in nature people do not disturb wasps and bumblebees. This happened before, when cattle grazing or manual haymaking took place everywhere. There were many more clashes between stinging insects and people back then. Now almost all incidents occur in populated areas. The cities are full of fruit-bearing trees and there is plenty of food for wasps. So most of the victims of wasps are city residents,” he added.

Bee and wasp venom - the difference between them

Sports turf: description, mixture composition and characteristics

The bee and the wasp only belong to one species: stalked-bellied insects, but there are many differences between them. The most important thing is that a bee can only bite once, after which it always dies. A wasp can bite repeatedly without suffering at all. The behavior of bees is less aggressive; they can calmly react to the presence of a person near the hives. The wasp protects the nest by attacking the enemy, regardless of its size.

An insect can mistake a wave of a hand, and sometimes even the smell emanating from a person, for aggression. If something provokes aggression, then all nearby wasps will attack at once, stinging the enemy until the poison runs out, and sometimes even after that. The bite of wasps is very painful, and they can also bite not only with their stings, but also with their jaws.

The wasp's sting is smooth, like a needle. It pierces the skin easily and does not get stuck. The wasp sticks its sting into the skin, flies up and attacks the person again. It's not harmful to her at all. If the individual is large enough, then one bite is enough to cause the most negative consequences. A large amount of poison can cause cardiac arrest even in a healthy person.

Bee venom has a different composition of components than aspen venom. The following groups are distinguished:

Promising directions for using bee venom

Experimental data from a medical research center indicate the possibility of using bee venom to develop a therapeutic drug for the treatment of vitiligo [38]. The possibility of treating osteoporosis and prostate adenoma with bee venom has been shown [39]. Observations and studies by Russian and foreign scientists have demonstrated the radioprotective effect of bee venom - its small doses contribute to better survival of irradiated animals [40, 41]. Experimental and clinical studies have shown that bee venom therapy may be an effective adjuvant treatment for Parkinson's disease. Several mechanisms have been proposed for this effect, including the ability of bee venom to attenuate neuroinflammation, inhibit apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons, protect against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity, and restore normal dopamine levels in the nigrostriatal pathway [42].

What is the venom of the Brazilian wasp?

Brazilian wasps are not rare; they are quite common in their natural habitat. They are classified as paper, public. They settle in nests of up to 1000 individuals. Using their saliva, mixing it with wood dust, they build nests, the walls of which most closely resemble paper. The structure of the colony is as follows: the queen and males are capable of reproduction, but do not leave the nest. The protection of the nest, its construction, and feeding are carried out by female workers, who are not capable of reproduction, but are capable of stinging.

It is the Brazilian wasps (Polybia paulista) that have become known to the whole world thanks to recent scientific research in the USA. It was possible to establish that the venom of these insects is capable of destroying cancer cells. It's all about a unique peptide - Polybia-MP1. However, we are not talking about a panacea for all types of cancer, only for some. Moreover, the drug being developed, based on the venom of the Brazilian wasp, has been tested only on mice.

How to neutralize wasp venom

When a bite does occur, but it is not known in advance how a person will react to the wasp’s venom, you should act very quickly. First of all, it is important to remember what you should never do, namely:

To disinfect a bite use:

The following will help reduce intoxication:

Important! In case of multiple bites, you should call an ambulance, since it is impossible to predict the body’s reaction to a large dose of wasp venom.

So, what you shouldn’t do if you’ve been bitten by a wasp is panic. You need to act quickly and try to get to the hospital as soon as possible. If we are talking about an allergy sufferer or a child, then it is better to immediately give medicine for the allergy. Wasp venom should not be used as a cure for any disease.

What are statins

Statins are a group of lipid-lowering drugs. They slow down the work of one of the main enzymes involved in the synthesis of cholesterol - HMC-CoA reductase. This leads to a decrease in cholesterol synthesis in the liver.

A decrease in cholesterol synthesis in hepatocytes increases the number of receptors for low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C) and their subsequent uptake from the bloodstream. In addition, there may be some reduction in the formation of LDL due to inhibition of the synthesis in the liver of their precursor, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). Thus, statins help reduce total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and VLDL cholesterol in the blood plasma. At the same time, drugs in this group can reduce the level of TG and slightly increase the level of “good cholesterol” (high-density lipoproteins). The effectiveness of lowering blood cholesterol levels depends on the dose of the drug. To obtain the desired level of reduction, fairly high doses are required.

Their numerous additional properties also contribute to the benefit of statins:

• improving the functional activity of the endothelium;
• stabilization of atheroma (atherosclerotic plaque);
• anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antithrombotic effects;
• positive effect on bone metabolism.

What are the benefits of wasp poison?

The exact composition of wasp venom is not as well known as that of bees. Of course, the main components have been carefully studied, but due to the content of highly allergenic components, it is not used for medicinal purposes.

Wasp venom contains tonic and stimulating components, some have a stimulating effect on metabolism in the body. Unlike bees, which can be bred on farms, it is generally accepted that it is not advisable to keep wasps for these needs. It is easier to turn to synthetic analogues of the poison, the action of which is safe and predictable.

It is difficult to say whether wasp venom is beneficial; due to the content of highly allergenic proteins, its use for health purposes is difficult.

For allergy sufferers, a vaccine is produced based on wasp venom. With its help, it is possible to reduce the risk of serious consequences after a repeated bite. After processing the original substance in the laboratory, histamine and toxin concentrations are reduced, but specific components are retained. It is through them that the human body is able to identify poison in the future.

As a preventive measure, vaccination is done before the start of the stinging insect season . After a short period of time, an immune response is developed to possible ingestion of wasp venom. If a person is attacked by stinging insects again, the body’s reaction will be less pronounced and the risk of developing anaphylactic shock will be significantly reduced.

Aspen poison is being used around the world. It continues to be studied in detail and its effects are investigated. Several experiments have been carried out in Spain to destroy cancerous tumors with poison components.

Benefit or harm from a wasp sting

There is a difference between honey bees and wasps. Unlike bees, which collect pollen and form a useful, beloved product, wasps are considered predators; their bite causes severe pain to the victim.

The consequences of introducing a sting into the body of a bitten person are much more serious, which can be seen upon visual inspection. The injected wasp venom contains concentrated components that not only repel the victim or enemy, but paralyze it.

At the moment of a sting, the wasp pursues the following goals::

• paralyzing an insect to transfer it to a nest for feeding and feeding offspring;
• protecting one's territory from a large animal or person.

By affecting the nerve endings, after receiving a bite, a person experiences intense pain, which sometimes cannot be compared with trauma to the skin in everyday life.

The main harmful effect of the venom of these insects is the manifestation of an allergic reaction to its components. For allergy sufferers, preparations have been developed based on a purified wasp product, which, when vaccinated, reduces the risk of a dangerous reaction of the body to the bite of a winged predator. Thanks to their composition, antibodies are produced that resist the body's reactions to uncontrolled attacks by individuals.

You can prevent the danger of defeat by your behavior. If you don’t destroy a wasp’s nest or disturb their usual way of life, they rarely attack. If they are disturbed, a whole swarm of winged insects can attack a person.

Moreover, they do not sting once, like bees and bumblebees when provoked, but inflict several bites in one attack, resulting in severe swelling at the site of the bite.

Despite the fact that the composition of the venom is close to that of bees, it is so allergenic that it can provoke anaphylactic shock.

The exact composition of the venom of this insect has not been fully studied; the main components make it possible to highlight the positive aspects of its effect on the human body. Thanks to stimulating, stimulating substances,

wasp venom after special treatment has the following effects on the body:

• activates metabolic processes in the body;
• stimulates the immune system;
• regenerates damaged skin;
• normalizes blood pressure.

Developments are underway to use the poisonous secretion against cancer. Many components of the poison are used not only in medicine, but also in cosmetology. However, it should be understood that independent use of a dangerous substance without special knowledge is dangerous and can lead to adverse consequences.

Help for people with increased allergic reactions

Allergy sufferers, while on vacation, should always be prepared to encounter insects and know the consequences that insect bites will bring them. Must be able to perform basic assisting techniques. If you are allergic to a wasp sting, be alert. Literally, every allergy sufferer should carry with them a first aid kit with a specific set of medications.

The basis of such a first aid kit should be antiallergic (antihistamine) drugs. People with asthma should carry an inhaler with them. After all, its timely use eliminates the occurrence of asthma attacks. Those suffering from heart disease and related diseases should carry cardiac medications with them. A tourniquet is also a must in the first aid kit. If a leg or arm is affected, a tourniquet will act much more effectively as a stopper to harmful toxins than a tight bandage. Allergy sufferers should clearly know the symptoms of allergies. After a bite, you should immediately consult a doctor. After all, medical care is always better than self-medication.

When should you go to the hospital?

There are cases when a wasp or a swarm of wasps bites two or more times. In such cases, you need to urgently contact a medical facility. There is a generally accepted opinion that after three bites (for children, two bites or more), a toxic reaction of the entire body can begin. If a wasp bites you on the face or ear, swelling of the entire face occurs. A bite in the larynx, lip and tongue is very dangerous. The consequences are severe. The larynx swells, the swelling goes beyond the local limits. This often leads to suffocation. And therefore, the reaction to this type of symptom should be immediate. If the skin itches, itches, or a rash has formed, these are also the first symptoms that you should pay attention to and contact the appropriate specialists.

Why are wasp stings dangerous?

The greatest danger to humans comes from wasp bites in the neck, face, tongue, eyes and peripheral nerves, or from several consecutive bites at once. Such bites can lead to dire consequences for human health, such as:

• optic neuritis;
• malignant myasthenia gravis;
• airway obstruction;
• development of anterior capsular cataract;

• glaucoma;
• iris atrophy;
• generalized polyneuropathy;
• lens abscess.

Use of poison in medicine

It is known that bee stings are used in medicine for certain diseases, but with wasp stings the situation is more complicated. To date, there is no data on the widespread use of wasp venom in medicine for the reason that it is very difficult to obtain. However, experimental development is still underway, but so far in small quantities.

For example, there is an opinion that wasp venom kills cancer cells, and in Spain and some other countries, based on some components of this poison, they are trying to create a cure for cancer tumors, and the results are supposedly encouraging. But this invention has not yet been officially confirmed or patented. The research used venom from the Brazilian wasp Polybia paulista, and the results were promising: the venom affected some cancer cells and did not kill healthy cells. But the research has not yet been completed and the finished drug has not yet been released.

Wasps are able to distinguish between their relatives. This feature is inherent only in social species of wasps, which have their own hierarchy. Solitary wasps cannot do this.

The production of vaccines based on wasp venom for those who suffer from allergic reactions to the bites of these insects is not yet so widespread. The vaccine contains low amounts of histamine and toxins. At the same time, a certain amount of substances is retained by which the immune system “recognizes” the allergens contained in the poison. This vaccination is done before the activity of these insects begins, and the reaction to the bite will no longer be so strong. But, unfortunately, this is also not very common yet.

Minuses

But there are also unresolved issues in statin treatment. Thus, from 40 to 75% of patients stop taking statins within 1-2 years after starting treatment. Patients name the reasons for this: fear of developing undesirable effects from the instructions for the drug (46%), disbelief that the medicine prolongs life (29.4%), taking a large number of other pills (27.6%), forgetfulness (26.5 %), poor control of blood cholesterol levels while taking medication (18.8%), drug withdrawal by a non-attending physician (13.5%). At the same time, the actual development of undesirable effects on statin therapy was observed only in 11.7% of patients, and their manifestations were mild and moderate in severity.

Muscle symptoms

The incidence of symptoms of muscle damage is 7-29%, according to various sources. These include:

• muscle pain;
• muscle weakness;
• muscle inflammation, determined based on examination of a sample of muscle tissue and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
• myonecrosis - muscle damage, determined by a significant increase in serum creatine kinase (CK) levels;
• rhabdomyolysis - destruction of muscle tissue with acute kidney damage with an increase in serum creatinine;
• autoimmune myopathy is a rare complication accompanied by severe muscle damage even after discontinuation of the drug;

The reasons for this are not well understood. According to one version, there is a decrease in coenzyme Q10 in muscle tissue and a decrease in the level of vitamin D. The work of mitochondria is affected.

Muscle symptoms occur in 7-29%.

Symptoms usually appear in both arms or legs. The period of appearance is about 4-6 weeks after starting to take statins. Sometimes, with diseases of the joints and ligaments, pain increases. This may be due to muscle weakness. Unusually, physically active people are more likely to suffer from muscle symptoms. One study found that athletes were less tolerant of lipid-lowering therapy.

According to research, these symptoms are rare. But the studies themselves often exclude older patients, those with impaired liver and kidney function, and those taking certain medications, that is, it cannot be said that this is an ordinary elderly person with a “bouquet of diseases.”

Diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance

It has been established that long-term use of statins under certain factors can contribute to the development of insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. This is evidenced not only by research data, but also by national recommendations of some countries.

Risk factors for developing diabetes when taking lipid-lowering drugs may include:

• high body mass index (BMI);
• elderly age;
• heart failure;
• myocardial infarction in the last six months and high cardiovascular risk;
• family predisposition to type 2 diabetes;
• Asian race;
• smoking, alcohol abuse.

Effects on the liver

When taking statins to reduce the negative effect on the liver, you must avoid taking:

• alcohol;
• drugs that are metabolized in the liver along the same pathways (for example, amiodarone, sulfonamides, methyldopa, cyclosporine).

Statins can negatively affect a damaged liver.

They should not be prescribed for active viral hepatitis until liver parameters return to normal.

Drug interactions

Statins have multiple effects. This is due to the fact that they do not act in isolation, but affect many chemical reactions in the body. This is especially important in patients taking multiple medications for cardiovascular diseases.

The most poisonous wasps in the world

The bite of any wasp contains poison, but the amount of the latter (as well as the degree of pain of the bite) varies depending on the type of insect. Accordingly, the level of exposure of the venom to the stung victim is also different.

These are not all types of existing wasps, but, despite numerous differences, they are united by the following characteristics: they all secrete poison into the victim’s body (albeit of varying degrees of danger) and attack in response to a threat or provocation.

Mode of application

Asterisk is used externally for the treatment of viral, infectious and colds. Depending on the location of the pathological process and pain, the drug is applied to different parts of the body:

1. For headaches, rub a small amount of the product into the area of ​​the crown, back of the head or temple.
2. Insect bites are eliminated by applying the drug to the affected area.
3. For rhinitis, sinusitis and other inflammatory diseases - on the wings of the nose, avoiding contact with the mucous surface.
4. When coughing, rub the medicine on the chest and back.
5. For toothache, the balm is applied to the skin of the cheek, where the pain is localized. Also rubbed into earlobes.
6. For colds - on the wings of the nose and nostrils. This helps relieve congestion, runny nose, and eliminate headaches. No more than 10 procedures per day.
7. For angina, the drug is used 2 times a day, applied between the collarbones, on the area of ​​the thumb joint or the tip of the middle finger on the lower limb.