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DESCRIPTION
There are a number of common stinging insects in the United States. While not all of them are bees - certain hornets, yellow jackets, wasps, spiders, and ants can also inflict painful wounds, stings and bites - stings are most commonly associated with bees. In some people, honeybee and yellowjacket stings can cause more serious reactions than the stings of hornets and wasps. It is estimated that between one and two million people in the United States are severely allergic to stinging insect venom. Each year 90 to 100 deaths from sting reactions are reported, but many more deaths may be occurring, mistakenly diagnosed as heart attacks, sunstrokes or attributed to other causes. More people die of insect venom than from spider or snake bites.
When an insect stings, it injects venom through its stinger into the victim. Bees generally leave their stingers behind at the sting site; wasps most often do not. Usually, a stinging insect attacks because it is trying to protect itself or the hive from danger or what it perceives as its territory from invasion from an intruder. This is why a person who stumbles on a beehive may end up receiving multiple stings from the hive's residents. There are different types of bees, the most aggressive and potentially dangerous are the African bees. These have been invading some regions and mating with the less aggressive domestic bees resulting in a crossbreeding that can create serious problems for commercial beekeepers as well as wild hives.
Extreme human sensitivity to stings resulting in serious or fatal reactions is confirmed almost entirely to cases involving bees, bumble bees, wasps, hornets and ants (Order Hymenoptera).
Whenever stung, try to capture or know the identity of the insect to help your healthcare provider diagnose the trouble. When a bee or wasp stings, it injects a venomous fluid under the skin. Honey bees have a barbed stinger. Only the honey bee leaves her stinger (with its venom sac attached and still contracting the venom into the stinger) in the skin of its victim. This immediately kills the attacking bee since the venom sac is pulled out of the abdomen of the insect along with the stinger. Since it takes 2 to 3 minutes for the venom sac to inject all of its venom, the instant removal of the stinger and sac usually reduces harmful effects. Scrape away with a sideways movement (one quick scrape) with a fingernail. Never try to use the thumb and forefinger or tweezers to pinch out the stinger since this maneuver forces (injects) more of the venom from the sac down into the wound.
Wasps, yellow jackets and hornets have a lance-like stinger without barbs and can sting repeatedly. They should be brushed off the victim's skin promptly with deliberate movements, then quietly and immediately leave the area.
SYMPTOMS
Most stings cause localized swelling, redness, itching and acute pain that may feeling throbbing and/or burning, a reaction to the insect's venom. This a normal reaction that may last a few hours and will quickly dissipate.
A large local reaction can last for days. The sting site is more painful, swelling and itching may be present at the sting site and surrounding areas.
Some people are highly allergic to the insect venom, and if they are stung, a very severe reaction can occur. The reaction progresses quickly (in a few minutes) to sites other than the sting site. Symptoms include feeling dizzy (lightheaded), nauseated, and experiencing weakness. There may be stomach cramps and diarrhea. There can be itching around the eyes, a warm feeling or coughing, hives breaking out, followed with vomiting and swelling. There can be wheezing, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness when speaking, labored breathing (shortness of breath), choking in the throat, drop in blood pressure, confusion, severe swelling, and a feeling of impending disaster, shock, unconsciousness and darkened skin following. A severe reaction can result in closing of the airway and death can occur if not treated immediately. Reactions may occur in a few minutes with most deaths within 30 minutes, but some within 15 minutes and some in 5 minutes or less.
Unlike most other allergies, insect allergy can cause life-threatening disruption to breathing and circulatory systems called anaphylactic shock. For one person in 100, the sting of an insect can be fatal. These last two levels means that the person is experiencing a "systemic" allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) requiring immediate emergency medical treatment.
Once a systemic sensitivity occurs, it almost always increases in severity with each following sting (varies in individual persons). The more quickly symptoms appear after the sting, the more severe the reaction. Some beekeepers can no longer keep honey bees after several years due to severe allergic reactions developing. The problem occurs when some individuals produce excessive quantities of antibodies in their immune system. The excess antibody production usually follows the initial sting to which there is no reaction. However, when the person is stung again, the insect venom entering the body combines with the antibody, produced by the first sting, which triggers a series of internal reactions, resulting in severe allergic symptoms.
Remember that if you are stung on the hand and your face begins to swell or hives break out all over your body, this is a serious condition requiring emergency room attention.
PREVENTION
Wear plain, light-colored clothing. Avoid wearing clothing that is flowered or dark-colored. Black and prints especially attract insects. To avoid stings, the beekeeper wears light-colored (white or neutral) clothing, preferably cotton (never wool).
Do not wear fragrances, perfumes, deodorants, suntan lotion, hair spray, hair tonic, aftershave lotions, heavy-scented shampoos or soaps or other cosmetics that may be scented. These attract insects and should be avoided.
To protect yourself, especially if you are highly allergic to bee stings, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you are outdoors and near bees and wasps.
Do not wear shiny jewelry and buckles.
Do not wear open sandals or shoes. Do not walk barefoot across the grass or any area that may have flowers that bees may be attracted to. Wear full closed shoes or boots that cover skin area.
Do not wear loose fitting clothing that bees may be able to get into. Have clothing that is snug around the collar, cuffs, waist, and pant legs. Wear a hat. Beekeepers use bee gloves, a head veil, long sleeves and coveralls with the pant legs tucked into boots or tied at the ankles to prevent unnecessary multiple stings.
A bee smoker is always used before opening up an established hive. To avoid stings, stay away from any bee hives for an hour or more (depending on weather) after the beekeeper has gone. Bees are more angry on cloudy, dark rainy days in early spring of the year.
If you see a bee, do not swing or swat at it. This irritates them and makes them more likely to perceive you as a threat. They can become trapped in your clothing or up against your body and sting. Remain calm and do not panic. They can "smell the fear" and again perceive you as a threat.
If one lands on you, remain still, and do not make any fast movements. Slowly, raise your arms to protect your face and stand still. Most likely it will only land for a moment and take off soon after landing. Do not kill it if you can help it. This could release a chemical "alarm pheromone" into the air signaling the attack. It may alert other bees or stinging insects that you are a threat and you may end up attracting several more in response to its death.
If you stumble onto a hive, stop immediately, and slowly back away from it without sudden movements. Bees can follow you for a distance in response to an attack alarm. This is very true of African bees and they will attack you very quickly and in great numbers.
When a yellowjacket is squashed, its body releases a chemical that causes other yellowjackets in the area to attack. If you are near a nest, hundreds of individuals can swarm you. It is better to leave the area fast than to swat at these insects.
Do not jump into water. Some bees (African bees) or other stinging insects will wait for you to surface.
Do not destroy hives or nests yourself. Use a professional exterminator. This is especially true if you have an allergy to bee venom. Never try to burn or flood a nest with water since this will only make the insects angry and aggressive.
When eating outdoors. Keep food covered until eaten and clean up quickly afterwards. Ripe fruit and soft drinks are especially attractive to bees and other stinging insects. Any scent of food, such as outdoor cooking, eating, feeding pets or even garbage cans will attract many bees, wasps, and yellow jackets.
Keep trash in tightly sealed containers. Dispose of it frequently (2 times or more per week, if possible) during late summer and early autumn when most insect activity occurs.
Be careful not to mow over a nest in the ground. Do not disturb a nest in a tree or the eaves of the house or building. Any disturbance will make the insects angry and may provoke a stinging attack.
If a bee or other stinging insect gets into a moving car, remain calm. The insect wants out of the vehicle as much as you do. They usually fly against the windows in the car and almost never sting the occupants. Slowly and safely pull over off the road, open the window(s) and allow the insect to escape. Do not cause an accident. Unfortunately, many serious accidents have resulted when a driver strikes or swings at the insect during the operation of the vehicle.
Pick fruits as soon as they ripen. Pick up and dispose of any fallen fruit rotting on the ground. Keep lawns free of clover and dandelions, which attract honey bees. Avoid close contact with flowering trees, shrubs and flowers when bees and other stinging insects are collecting nectar. Vines may conceal nests and should be removed from the house, if possible.
CHEMICAL WARFARE (Pesticides)
Some people will want to use chemicals to spray for stinging insects on the patio, picnic, and garbage areas. Chemicals used are permethrin (Astro, Dragnet, Flee, Permanone, Prelude, Torpedo) or pyrethrins (Kicker, Microcare, Pyrenone, Pyrethrum, Synerol). Some formulations are restricted use. A licensed pesticide applicator or pest control operator can apply restricted use pesticides such as bendiocarb+pyrethrins (Ficam Plus), bifenthrin (Biflex), cyfluthrin (Tempo), cypermethrin (Cynoff, Cyper-Active, Demon, Vikor), deltamethrin (Suspend) and tralomethrin (Saga). Other labeled pesticides include acephate (Orthene), amorphous silica gel (Drione), bendiocarb (Ficam), carbaryl (Sevin), chlorphyrifos (Dursban, Empire, Tenure), diainon, propoxur (Baygon) and resmethrin (Vectrin).
If you want to destroy the nests (aerial and ground) and protect yourself, you will want to use a commercially available stinging insect control aerosol containing Baygon, pyrethrin, permethrin or resmethrin which can shoot a high-volume spray stream 15 to 20 feet, giving excellent quick knockdown and kill of wasps and bees hit. Do this after dark or in the evening when most have returned from foraging to the nest. Thoroughly saturate the nest with spray, contacting as many insects as possible. Do not stand directly under an overhead nest, since some insects receiving some of the spray may fall but retain their ability to sting for some time. Repeat treatment if reinfestation occurs.
Obtained from the Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet on Entomology
TREATMENT
HOLISTIC RECOMMENDATIONS
For stings causing itch, irritation, redness and swelling at the sting site, the following suggestions may be useful:
- Cut an onion and put it directly on the sting area. This will take the sting away.
- Make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply it to the sting area. This will soothe the area and keep any swelling down.
- Make a paste of baking soda and water. Add a crushed aspirin, or a crushed papaya enzyme tablet, and apply the mixture to the sting.
- Meat tenderizer containing the enzyme papain may be used by people not allergic to bee stings. Make a paste with a few drops of water to a teaspoon of meat tenderizer and quickly apply to the sting to reduce pain and inflammation (breaks down components of sting fluid).
- Charcoal tablets can be used as a poultice. Open a charcoal capsule or crush a charcoal tablet and place it on a cotton ball. Place the cotton ball on the affected area and cover it with an adhesive bandage.
- Take 2 charcoal tablets or capsules and empty them into a small bowl. Add 6 drops of liquid alcohol-free Goldenseal extract to make a paste, then smooth on a sterile gauze pad and place on the sting area. This will absorb the poisons and prevent infection. Use only charcoal recommended for internal use (activated charcoal used for poisoning).
HerbalRemedies: Activated Charcoal Supplement, Nature's Way, 260 mg, 100 Capsules
Nature's Way Activated charcoal supplement captures unwanted material of gas and carries it safely through the digestive system.
- Apply a cold pack or an ice cube directly on the sting. Apply an ice compress to the sting area for a few minutes every 2 hours for the first day after you have been stung. Not only will you reduce the swelling and pain from the sting, but you will be stoping the spread of the venom.
- Place a drop of plain ammonia on the site of the sting. This is a 1 to 2.5 percent solution applied no more than 3 to 4 times.
- Apply Lavender Oil to the sting area to reduce inflammation and pain.
- Crush Plantain leaves and squeeze out the juice. Apply the extract directly to the sting. Within 30 minutes the pain and swelling should be greatly reduced. Make a plantain poultice by crushing and mashing fresh leaves by hand, using a mortar and pestle or in a blender with just enough water to turn them into a mushy pulp. Apply the mushy leaved directly on the wound area and wrap with gauze. Keep it there for at least 30 minutes, but can be left on longer (overnight), if desired. This is good for all kinds of wounds, bruising, stings, blood blisters and skin sores and irritations.
- Rub toothpaste on the sting area. It's cooling effect can make the sting feel better.
- Apply calamine lotion to the area.
- If you have been stung on the foot or leg, elevate it for about half an hour after removing the stinger.
- A homeopathic remedy, Apis mellifica can be used to reduce inflammation and pain if the sting area is very swollen and red. Another homeopathic remedy, Ledum palustre, reduces inflammation from stings and is the most commonly used medication for insect stings and snakebite.
- Taking large doses of vitamin C has been known to reduce the severity of bee stings.
MEDICATIONS
FOR NORMAL STINGING INSECT REACTIONS:
- Oral antihistamines - Tablets may be chewed for faster relief, but liquids are more readily absorbed after oral ingestion (Chlortrimeton, Dimetane, Teldrin).
- Epinephrine inhaler (Bronkaid mist, Primatene, Medihaler-Epi).
- Topical steroids (Cortaid, Dermolate, Lanacort, etc.).
- Local Anesthetics (Benzocaine, Americaine, Dermoplast, Bactine, Foille, Lanacaine, Solarcaine).
- Oral steroids (prescription only).
- A venom extractor called Lil Sucker fits inside a pocket or purse. If you get stung, it produces a vacuum that sucks the venom out within 2 minutes. The end of the extractor can also be used to remove a honey bee stinger. For more information, call International Reforestation Suppliers at 800-321-1037.
These medications can be located in a tackle box, camping gear, in the car glovebox or trunk, and in the home. Store at room temperature away from room lighting or sunlight.
FOR HIGHLY SENSITIVE REACTIONS:
- Highly-sensitive persons should have two emergency kits prescribed for them by their health care provider within easy access at all times. One kit should be carried at all times and the other kept in the family car. It is best to store kits in a cool, dry place (refrigeration) within easy access. The kit contains one sterile syringe of Epinephrine (adrenalin) such as an EpiPen, ready for injection, four chewable, yellow tablets of Chlortrimeton (antihistamine), two sterile alcohol swabs for cleaning the injection site and one tourniquet. Inject the syringe into the thigh subcutaneously under the skin as soon as the first sting symptoms show. A tourniquet place above the sting site, when on an arm or leg just tight enough to obstruct blood return but not so tight as to stop circulation, will help until medical treatment is obtained. Loosen the tourniquet every 10 minutes.
- Other kits include ANA Emergency Insect Sting Kit and Insect Sting Kit available by prescription only at the drugstore or pharmacy.
- Hypersensitivity testing and desensitization program may be suggested. Diagnostic skin testing with insect venom(s) is recommended for those who have experienced immediate systemic reaction to an insect sting. About half of adult patients will react similarly or worse to another sting unless desensitized with a series of appropriate venom injections. The percentage of serious reactions to another sting is less with children, but may still occur. Immunotherapy is given about every four weeks, indefinitely, unless skin tests indicate the patient is no longer sensitive. Freeze-dried venom from honey bee, yellow jacket, baldfaced hornet, etc. is available. They are believed to be 98 to 99 percent effective.
The first year of insect sting shots costs about $1,000 for a single venom. Subsequent years, when shots are given less often, run about $500 each. Sometimes shots are stopped after five years, if one has had a negative skin test, never had a life-threatening reactions and received several stings without ill effect. Shots are not stopped on those who have had a life-threatening reaction and there is uncertainty about the patient being re-sensitized. For those interested in more details about Hypersensitivity Testing and Desensitization Program, contact your local allergist or contact:
Midwest Allergy Associates, Inc.
85 East Wilson Bridge Road
Worthington, Ohio 43085
(Telephone: 614-846-5944)
HERBAL & NUTRITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
HERBS
Poultices made from Comfrey, Slippery Elm, and White Oak Bark and Leaves ease pain and promote healing. Also good are Lobelia poultices and Plantain poultices or salve. Note: Comfrey is recommended for external use only unless under the supervision of a health care provider.
Take Echinacea and/or Goldenseal in tea or capsule form to boost immune function. Goldenseal is a natural antibiotic and functions well as a poultice. It reduces inflammation and prevents infection.
Drink as much Yellow Dock tea as you can, or take 2 capsules of Yellow Dock every hour until symptoms are relieved.
Juniper tea cleanses the venom from your internal system and can also make an excellent poultice when the berries are crushed and applied to the sting.
MoonDragon's Health Therapy: Poultices, Wraps & Compresses
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
Unless otherwise specified, the following recommended doses are for persons over the age of 18 years. For a child between 12 and 17 years old, reduce the dose to 3/4 the recommended amount. For a child between 6 and 12, use 1/2 the recommended dose, and for a child under 6 years old, use 1/4 the recommended amount.
BEE STINGS SUPPLEMENTS & PRODUCTS
Supplements and products to help with bee stings, a painful wound resulting from the venom of bees.
Black Ointment, All Natural, Nature's Way, 2 oz.
Nature's Way Black Ointment is a time tested herbal formula made with herbs traditionally used to dry and draw external wounds.* This is an excellent herbal wound care product.Bug Bites & Bee Stings Wellness Oil, 2 fl. oz.
From mosquitoes to spiders to bees, this all natural oil will take the sting out and help the wound to heal quickly without itching.Comfrey Leaf Ointment, Nature's Way, 2 oz.
Comfrey Leaf Ointment is a 100% all natural, mild scented, herbal ointment.Echinacea Herb, Nature's Way, 400 mg, 180 Caps
Echinacea herb supports the Immune System and promotes general well-being in cold and flu season.Echinacea Root Tincture, 100% Organic, 2 fl. oz.
Echinacea Root is also known as Purple Cornflower and considered very valuable by the North American Indians.Echinacea Tincture, Nature's Way, Alcohol Free, 1 fl. oz.
Modern scientific studies now validate Echinacea's traditional usage as a topical agent to help the body repair skin wounds, and internally to enhance the immune system.Juniper Berry Tincture, 100% Organic, 2 fl. oz.
Herbalists use Juniper Berry primarily as a component of herbal remedies to treat bladder infections.Manuka Honey & Bee Venom Actiflex, GMO Free, (375 grams) 8 ounces
Manuka Honey & Bee Venom, Actiflex - GMO Free has been used to enhance the immune systems battle against Arthritis & MS. Combined Pure Organic Manuka Honey and Bee Venom direct from New Zealand.Pain Formula Tincture, 100% Organic, 2 fl. oz.
Use the Pain Formula to alleviate pain naturally.Pascalite Bentonite Healing Powder, 16 oz.
Pascalite is used in soap and toothpaste, applied as a poultice to insect bites, sunburns, infections, cold sores, canker sores and acne, and as a suppository for hemorrhoids. Users found it a potent skin cleanser and conditioner, drank it for heartburn and ulcers.Sea Salt, Course Cut, 100% Natural, Solar Dried From New Zealand, 26 oz.
This all natural sun dried New Zealand Sea Salt has been crushed in your choice of fine or coarse granules and adds excellent flavoring to any fine meal.Sea Salt, Fine Cut, Organic, Solar Dried, 16 oz.
This Organic Sea Salt comes in a resealable pouch bag and offers a 100% Organic flavor to fine food with the benefits of Ocean Minerals.Sea Salt, Marlborough Flaky, 100 g
The great benefit of Marlborough Flaky Sea Salt is its light delicate taste and its adherence to food. In simple terms the salt "sticks" to food which makes it ideal for salting things like salads and even foods like French Fries!SSS Sting Stop Insect Gel Homeopathic, Boericke & Tafel, 2.75 oz. Topical Gel
Temporarily relief of itch, pain, and redness of non-poisonous insect bites and stings-mosquitoes, bees and wasps. Soothes fever blisters and cold sores.Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia), 100% Pure Oil, 2 fl. oz.
Tea Tree Oil can be used for general first aid uses such as cuts, burns, abrasions, insect bites, bee stings, rashes, impetigo, boils, sinus problems, sore throat, thrush, fingernail and toenail infections.Tea Tree Oil Antiseptic Solution (15% Water Soluble), 2 fl. oz.
Tea Tree Oil Antiseptic Solution can be used for mixing with water for douching, athletes foot, facial problems and bathing.Tea Tree Oil Bulk (Melaleuca alternifolia), 32 fl. oz.
Bulk Tea Tree Oil can be used for so many things including cuts, burns, abrasions, insect bites, bee stings, rashes, impetigo, boils, sinus problems, sore throat, thrush, fingernail and toenail infections.Unker's Natu-Rub, All Natural Liquid Medicated Salve, 1 fl. oz
This all natural liquid version of Unker's medicated salve absorbs into the skin quickly. Up to 200 applications.Vitamin C 1000 With Bioflavonoids, Nature's Way, 100% Natural, 1000 mg, 250 Vcaps
Nature's Way Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids provides antioxidant protection for many of the body's important enzyme systems.Yellow Dock Root, 500 mg, 100 Caps
Yellow Dock root is one of the best blood cleansing herbs for chronic skin diseases, purges lymph glands, liver ailments, psoriasis, anemia, rheumatism, coughs and helps with Iron deficiency.
HerbalRemedies: Bee Sting Information
HerbalRemedies: Bee Stings Supplements & Products
HerbalRemedies: Spider Bites Information, Supplements & Products
NOTIFY YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF...
You have questions about bee and insect stings and therapies available.
If the sting does not clear up with treatment within a few hours to few days, or gets worse, see your health care provider or emergency room.
If you have any unexplained, unusual symptoms, or symptoms listed above for sensitive people. If you have a systemic reaction, seek emergency medical assistance immediately. THIS CAN BE A LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY!
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HELPFUL PRODUCTS & FURTHER EDUCATION
Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements
-- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 2nd Edition
Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements
-- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 4th Edition
Prescription for Herbal Healing: The A-To-Z Reference To Common Disorders
-- by Phyllis A. Balch
The Complete Guide to Natural Healing
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