KENILWORTH, N.J., May 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly a million
people visit the emergency room every year for bee and wasp stings.
In many cases, patients and parents can treat the symptoms of less
severe reactions to a sting from home, while a small percentage
suffering a more dangerous reaction must be rushed to medical care
as quickly as possible.
Thomas Arnold, MD, Professor and
Chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine, LSU Health Sciences
Center Shreveport, breaks down various types of reactions to bee
and wasp stings and how to treat them in a new editorial on
MerckManuals.com.
Dr. Arnold's editorial details what to watch for in someone who
suffers a severe allergic reaction, also known as a generalized
reaction. Stings in these individuals can cause anaphylaxis and can
be fatal. Symptoms to watch closely for include:
- A feeling of uneasiness, tingling sensations, and
dizziness
- Generalized itching and hives
- Swelling of the lips and tongue
- Wheezing and difficulty breathing
- Collapse and loss of consciousness
Individuals experiencing these symptoms should be taken to the
emergency room immediately. Patients who know they suffer
generalized reactions to stings should carry an epinephrine
auto-injector at all times. This injection should be used at the
first sign of an allergic reaction.
At-home treatment for less severe reactions
Individuals who do not show any signs of a generalized reaction
will likely suffer a less severe reaction, also known as a local
reaction. Dr. Arnold recommends these three steps to taken at home
to reduce pain, redness, swelling and itching.
- Remove the stinger with a dull-edged object – Unlike
wasps and other kinds of bees, honeybees have a barbed stinger that
stays in the skin after a sting, ultimately killing the bee. Remove
the stinger and venom sack with a blunt object like the edge of a
credit card or a butter knife by gently scraping against the
skin.
- Apply a cool compress – Ice or another cool compress can
reduce pain, while an antihistamine can help ease itching and
swelling.
- Elevate the area – The swelling caused by a sting can be
quite scary. It's not uncommon for a hand that's stung to swell to
twice the size. If the sting is on an extremity that can be raised,
elevating it can help reduce swelling.
In his editorial, Dr. Arnold cautions against relying on
unconventional remedies with little scientific basis like using
meat tenderizer, tobacco juice or baking soda to treat stings. He
also offers tips to help avoid bee and wasp stings in the first
place.
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SOURCE MerckManuals.com