Bee Stings: Reactions

Summer time is fast approaching and as we spend more time out of doors, we will be sharing space with the residents that live and fly there. Most of us experience that same panicky reaction to the buzzing sound of a bee over our heads. Our natural instinct would be to swat at it in an attempt to get it away from us. However, it suggested that you hold you hand up over your face and stay still. Unless the bee feels threatened, you are unlikely to be bitten. In the event that you are bitten, the following is important information to know.

Because the venom of a bee is made up of nine different components that work together to cause reactions, the reactions of those bitten will vary. Notice the different reactions

Local Reaction:

• Two – three inch area red, swollen and painful for about 24 hours or less
• Symptoms will occur within four hours

Large Local Reaction:

• Covers a larger area such as an entire limb
• Symptoms last longer and are adjacent to the bite area

Systemic Reaction:

• Allergic responses not necessarily associated with the bite area
• Hives
• Low blood pressure
• Difficulty breathing
• Anaphylactic Shock

Toxic Reaction:

• Usually multiple stings are involved but not necessarily
• Not the same as an allergic reaction
• Fever
• Weakness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pain

Yearly 90 to 100 deaths are being reported from sting reactions, although it is speculated that there are probably more that are misdiagnosed as having a heart attacks or sunstroke.

It is estimated that one to two million people in the alone are allergic to insect venom. Those allergic if bitten can experience life-threatening symptoms

If you are bitten on the hand and your face starts to swell or you break out in hives this is a very serious and severe reaction, medical attention should be sought at once.

Severe Reaction:

• Can progress in minutes, most deaths are within 30 minutes some as little as 5 minutes
• Dizziness
• Wheezing
• Itching around the eyes
• Coughing
• Unconsciousness with a darkening of the skin to follow

In a crisis call 9-1-1 and get to the hospital as soon as possible. Most scares are false alarms but better safe than sorry. Anaphylactic shock can kill in literally minutes.