Summertime means a few things – your kids are home from school, you spend more time in a swimsuit than in jeans and popsicles are disappearing from your freezer. Unfortunately, it also means that bees and wasps are buzzing around in larger numbers. Show While your kids are running and playing at the park, no amount of SPF50 sunscreen can protect them from an anxious bee or wasp. Luckily, most stings are relatively uneventful. Once the initial pain of the sting has worn off, most often they will be left with minor swelling and soreness where the sting occurred. After some tears, the pain should die down within an hour or so. To better understand the more serious risks of bee and wasp stings, we spoke with Bryan Kuhn, PharmD, a poison education specialist at Banner Poison and Drug Information Center. Was that a wasp or a bee?“There isn’t much distinction between bee and wasp stings,” said Dr. Kuhn, “although there is one telltale sign. Bees will leave a barbed stinger behind. Wasps, on the other hand, have a smooth stinger they can use more than once.” Dr. Kuhn added that you’re more likely to have a severe reaction from a bee sting because bees have a more complex venom. If a stinger is left behind, the best way to remove it is by scraping a credit card carefully over the skin. Plucking it with tweezers may be tempting, but the pressure could squeeze leftover venom out of the stinger. How to treat a garden variety stingIf you are stung once and have normal symptoms, you can treat symptoms with the following remedies:
Am I or is my kid allergic?This is a common fret for people who’ve never been stung. Dr. Kuhn assured us that even adults and kids that are allergic won’t have an extreme reaction the first time. Instead, you will have a moderately severe reaction that could include hives, itchiness, a rash, swelling in the lips, eyes and tongue, etc. Subsequent stings could result in escalating symptoms but rest assured, the first sting will almost always act as a warning. When are wasp or bee stings serious?Stings become serious if you have had severe reactions before and/or in cases of many stings. Dr. Kuhn warned, “Africanized honey bees are quickly overtaking other bee types in areas of the southwest. They are more aggressive and are more likely to gather in swarms. Even if you aren’t allergic, adults that are stung more than a dozen times and children with multiple stings may need to get to a hospital. If you start to see signs of anaphylaxis (an allergic reaction), don’t hesitate to call an ambulance.” These symptoms include:
The do’s and don’tsDr. Kuhn offered quick guidance for anyone that encounters a swarm of bees. DO
Warm weather comes with its fair share of perils. But with a few extra precautions, you can be prepared for anything the season may throw at you. You can learn more about outdoor safety in these helpful articles written with help from Banner Health experts.
Join the Conversation Bee and wasp stings are common and painful. In most cases, they are not severe, but some people can have a life threatening reaction. The most common bee sting is from honeybees, but some wasps and other insects can also sting. In the United States, yellow jacket wasps produce the insect sting that is most likely to cause an allergic reaction. The bee’s stinging apparatus consists of a sac of venom attached to a barbed stinger. The wasp’s is similar but with a smooth stinger. When a bee or wasp stings, the sac contracts, pumping venom into the tissue. The information below refers to bee stings, but it applies to stings from both bees and wasps. The symptoms, treatments, and dangers are the same. A bee sting usually causes a sharp pain and a puncture wound or laceration in the skin. The venom in a bee or wasp sting induces a local toxic reaction at the site of the attack. A typical local reaction to a bee or wasp sting produces the following symptoms:
Some stings may produce the following symptoms, which doctors call a large local reaction:
Multiple stings can be fatal for children. In some people, components of the venom can cause an allergic reaction. Someone who knows that they are allergic to stings may carry an epinephrine injector. A bystander can help the person administer this injection if necessary. Learn more about bee sting allergies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide advice on first aid for someone who has received a bee or wasp sting: Things that a person or bystander should do include:
People can remove the stinger by wiping it with a piece of gauze or scraping a fingernail, piece of card, or bank card over it. Things to avoid doing include:
Learn more about how to remove a bee stinger. Most reactions to a sting are mild to moderate and do not involve a severe allergy. However, some symptoms that develop after a bee sting signal a severe allergic reaction and need urgent medical attention. Without treatment, anaphylactic shock may occur very quickly. This can be fatal. Individuals who have previously experienced an allergic reaction to a sting have a 60% chance of having a similar or worse reaction to a sting in the future. They may wish to carry a “bee sting kit” that contains an EpiPen, which is a device that delivers an epinephrine shot. This shot constricts blood vessels, helping increase blood pressure and reduce swelling. It also helps stimulate the heart to send more blood to vital organs. These effects help the body deal with the response while a person is waiting for medical help. Sometimes, a sting can become infected. It is essential to consult a doctor if the affected area shows a pus discharge or there is an increase in pain, swelling, and discoloration. People can treat most bee stings without medical attention, but the following products may help manage the discomfort:
These are available over the counter (OTC) from a pharmacy, or a doctor may prescribe them. If the local reaction is large with severe local swelling, doctors may prescribe oral corticosteroids for 3–5 days. It is important to seek emergency medical care if a person has wheezing, swelling, or other symptoms of anaphylaxis or if they have an increased risk of experiencing an allergic reaction. People who do not have an allergic reaction will often not need to speak with a doctor. However, it is best to consult a doctor if an insect sting leads to blistering, concerning swelling, or signs of infection, such as pus. Medical advice may also be necessary if the symptoms do not go away within a few days. Some practical steps can reduce the risk of getting a bee sting. Steps that people should take include:
Behaviors that might increase the risk of a sting include:
Most bee and wasp stings cause symptoms such as swelling and discoloration that peak about 48 hours after the sting. The initial burning sensation and pain usually only lasts 1–2 hours. Discoloration can persist for 3 days and swelling for up to a week. Bee and wasp stings can cause symptoms such as discoloration, swelling, and a burning sensation that can spread up to 10 cm across. Most sting symptoms reach a peak at 48 hours, but swelling can continue for up to a week. If people show signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as facial swelling and difficulty breathing, they need immediate medical help. People can use OTC and prescription medications, such as antihistamines, to treat stings. Ways to prevent insect stings include refraining from wearing floral-scented perfumes and bright colors. Do wasps stingers stay in you?While a bee can only sting once because its stinger becomes stuck in the skin of its victim, a wasp can sting more than once during an attack. Wasp stingers remain intact. Unless you're allergic, most bee stings can be treated at home.
Does a wasp leave a stinger when it bites?Unlike bees, wasps can sting multiple times because they don't lose their stinger with their sting. They will also inject a venom into your skin with their sting. Most wasp stings can be incredibly painful, especially if they surprise you.
How do you remove a wasp stinger?To remove a stinger, scrape the back of a knife or other straight-edged object across the stinger. Do not use tweezers since it may squeeze the venom sac and increase the amount of venom released into the wound. Next wash the site thoroughly with soap and water.
What happens if a wasp stinger stays in your skin?The longer the stinger stays in the skin, the more venom it releases, adding to the person's pain and swelling. To treat a sting from a bee, wasp, or hornet, dermatologists recommend the following tips: Stay calm. Although most bees usually only sting once, wasps and hornets can sting again.
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Do wasps leave a stinger in you
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