Stings From Insects

Stings From Insects

Sting of a honey bee. The barbed stinger is torn off and remains in the skin. Muscles at the stinger continue to pump venom into the wound.
Stings from hornets, honey bees, bumblebees, and yellow jackets in sensitized individuals can provoke anaphylactic reactions. Even inhalation of allergens, such as antibiotic powder, or caster bean flour, may cause anaphylaxis( Anaphylaxis is a severe reaction of your child’s body to something he or she is allergic to. Certain immune system cells suddenly release substances that can affect almost every organ or body system, including the skin, lungs and breathing tubes, heart and blood vessels, and stomach and intestines). Symptoms occur within seconds to minutes after the substance enters into the body, when precipitous drop in blood pressure occurs. Frequently there is difficulty breathing, profuse sweating, and sudden generalized vascular relaxation that causes faintness. In fatal cases stoppage of the heart or respiration follows.

Treatment

Prompt emergency resuscitative measures are necessary to save the life of a victim in anaphylactic shock. Subcutaneous injection of adrenalin in the appropriate dosage (based on body size) is life saving in such a situation,while general first aid measures involving adequate airway, artificial respiration, and closed chest cardiac massage are instituted. Increasing anaphylactic cases of this nature has brought physicians to adopt a more conservative attitude in the administration of antibiotics by injection. Bee sting allergy kits are available for those sensitized individuals who live with this ever present threat of danger.

If a stinger is present, remove it as soon as possible. The stinger should be scraped away, rather than
grasped and pulled. Remember only honey bees leave their stings yellow jackets and other wasps, hornets,
and bees do not have barbed stingers and can sting repeatedly. Treatment of normal reactions usually
involves washing  the wound  to help prevent secondary  infection,  then utilization of  ice packs and/or pain relievers to reduce pain. Heat or warm compresses should never be used. Consult a doctor or pharmacist  for treatment.