Wasp and bee stings
goodtoknow says: Insect stings, wasp stings and bites can be very painful but aren't usually serious unless you or your child develop a severe allergic reaction, which is rare. Stings burn and are usually caused by wasps, bees and hornets. If the area swells don't panic. You may have an allergic reaction, but it isn't serious unless the swelling affects other parts of your body, particularly your face and throat. If this happens, call an ambulance or get down to A & E immediately. Otherwise treat it by scraping out the sting as quickly as possible, then soothe it with a cold flannel and take antihistamine tablets.
For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of insect stings and bites from patient.co.uk, read on.
If you are stung by a wasp, bee, hornet, etc, then scrape out the sting as quickly as possible. Do not pluck it out as this may squeeze more venom into the skin. In most cases the sting causes pain and slight swelling, but has little other effect. Some people are allergic to stings and can develop reactions that can be life-threatening. Call an ambulance immediately if you suspect an allergic reaction soon after being stung. Insect bites (not stings) rarely cause serious allergic reactions but can cause small itchy lumps to appear on the skin. Itch may be eased by a soothing ointment, antihistamine tablets, or steroid cream. Some insects infest pets, furniture, etc, and can cause repeated bites.
Insects, stings and bites
- Stinging insects that are common in the UK include: wasps, bees and hornets. The sting is due to venom (like a poison) which the insect 'injects' into the skin.
- Biting insects that are common in the UK include: midges, gnats, mosquitoes, flies, fleas, mites, ticks, and bedbugs.
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Brad Baker, 5 months [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]
With the beginning of summer comes the blooming of trees, gardens and flowers, which in turn attracts bees and wasps of all kinds. But that is not the end of the worry of a sting. Many stings take place during the fall months. Reason being, bees and wasps are cold blooded insects and they linger around people in order to absorb the body heat of humans, therefore increasing the chances of getting stung. Last week, I witnessed a 4 year old girl with her hand and forearm swollen to her elbow, from a wasp sting that she received to her fingertip the day before. The sight of her hand and arm brought tears to my eyes because I knew that if she had had Baker's Venom Cleanser available when see was stung, none of her discomfort would have elevated to that extreme point of swelling and discomfort. Our web site http://www.BeeStingCure.com has under gone some new additions worth taking a look at. Old news commentary video footage from 1988 has been added to http://www.YouTube.com/BeeStingCure.com and the link is available at our site.