Stung by a Bee
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Paul Auerbach, M.D.
Bee sting allergy is an important cause of
severe allergic reactions worldwide. Honeybees, bumblebees,
wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets each possess a stinger that is used to introduce venom into the victim. A recent study showed that the yellow jacket species
Vespula maculofrons, which tends to live in large underground nests, is more likely to cause a severe reaction than is the species
Vespula germania. However, it is impossible to predict which victims will suffer severe reactions, so one must always be prepared for the worst.
The honeybee carries a doubly barbed stinger attached to a venom sac that pumps venom into the victim. When the bee attempts to escape after the sting, the stinger and sac remain in the victim and may continue to inject venom. Wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, and bumblebees can sting their victims multiple times.
If a victim suffers a severe
allergic reaction to an insect
bite or sting, it may be necessary to administer
epinephrine (adrenaline). This is
injected subcutaneously (just under the skin). The drug is available in allergy kits, such as
EpiPen and
EpiPen Jr. A new product that allows second dose administration of epinephrine for an allergic reaction is the
Twinject auto-injector, that comes in two dosage sizes: 0.3 mg per dose or 0.15 mg per dose. In addition to epinephrine, the stung victim may benefit by taking an
antihistamine (e.g.,
diphenhydramine [
Benadryl]). If the stinger (and venom sac) is still felt to be present, it should be removed as quickly as possible, using the most convenient method (scraping, tweezer) available.
If a person is stung or bitten by an insect and shows any sign of a severe allergic reaction (e.g.,
difficulty breathing,
wheezing,
facial swelling, tongue thickness,
weakness), he or she should seek immediate medical attention.
Tags:
bee sting,
wasp,
epinephrine,
medical,
physician,
health,
wilderness medicine,
outdoor medicine,
healthlinephoto by Paul Auerbach
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1 Comments:
At Thu Aug 31, 05:04:00 PM 2006,
Anonymous said…
HOw do I know if it's infected and that I need antibiotics?
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