A wasp, bee, or hornet sting can cause pain, swelling, itching, and redness of the skin. In some cases, a systemic allergic reaction may occur, requiring immediate medical attention.
What does a wasp sting look like?
A wasp sting looks like a swollen discolored spot on the skin with a white or red puncture point in the center. Other symptoms of a wasp sting are:
- burning pain at the sting site;
- swelling and redness of surrounding tissues;
- itching and a feeling of heat in the area of the injury.
In response to the injected venom, the skin around the puncture is usually thickened. This phenomenon is due to localized tissue inflammation and influx of immune cells to the bite site.
What does a bee sting look like?
A bee sting looks like a red bump on the skin with a clear puncture point, which often leaves a stinger with a venom sac in the center. Other signs of a bee sting are:
- itching and burning at the sting site;
- swelling of the surrounding soft tissue;
- thickening of the skin around the puncture.
Due to the inflammatory reaction to the injected venom, a feeling of heat occurs around the sting. The skin becomes hot to the touch.
What does a hornet sting look like?
A hornet sting looks like a round or oval swelling with redness around it. It is usually larger in size than the mark after a wasp and bee sting. Other symptoms of a hornet sting are:
- rapid increase in swelling;
- thickening of the skin around the sting;
- itching and burning in the area of the injury;
- a feeling of heat around the sting.
Pain after a hornet sting is intense but short-lived. A pronounced pulsation may be felt around the puncture wound, caused by inflammation and dilation of blood vessels.
Is it possible to die from a bee or wasp sting?
A wasp or bee sting can result in anaphylaxis, an acute, rapidly developing allergic reaction to insect venom that can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. There is also a risk of dying from multiple bee or wasp stings (such as a swarm attack) due to severe intoxication caused by large amounts of venom. The average adult can survive more than 1,000 stings, and for a child, 500 stings can be a lethal dose. For people who are not prone to allergies, a single bee or wasp sting is usually not a deadly threat.
Is it possible to die from a hornet sting?
A hornet sting can cause anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction to the venom that can cause swelling of the respiratory tract and respiratory failure. Even in people without allergies, a hornet sting to the neck and tongue can cause swelling of the larynx and suffocation. Fatal outcome is also possible with multiple stings, when a large amount of venom causes poisoning of the body and disrupts the work of internal organs. In most cases, a single hornet sting in a healthy person is not life-threatening.
What are the symptoms of allergy from an insect sting?
An allergy to a bee, wasp or hornet sting is manifested by rapidly increasing swelling in the area of the injury, reaching 10 centimeters or more in diameter. It is also possible hives – itchy rash in the form of red blisters surrounding the sting site or spreading throughout the body. Other signs of insect bite allergy are:
- abdominal cramps;
- nausea and vomiting;
- feeling hot all over the body;
- dizziness;
- weakness;
- shortness of breath;
- feeling short of breath;
- rapid heartbeat.
Severe allergy (anaphylaxis) to a wasp, bee, or hornet sting is usually manifested by swelling of the lips, tongue, and larynx. There may be a sudden drop in blood pressure and loss of consciousness.
Who leaves a stinger — the bee or the wasp?
When a bee stings, it leaves a stinger with a small sac containing venom in the skin. Together with it, a part of the bee abdomen with elements of the digestive tract, muscles and nerves is torn out, which leads to the death of the insect.
What does the sting of a bee, wasp and hornet look like?
The sting of the bee is rough, serrated, resembles a small needle with hooks, so after the sting it remains in the skin of the victim. The sting of a wasp is straight, smooth and without serrations. The sting of the hornet is similar to that of the wasp, but longer and more powerful. The wasp and hornet can sting more than once because their stings do not lodge in the victim’s body.
What is the difference between bee venom and wasp and hornet venom?
Bee, wasp and hornet venoms differ in their composition and effects on the body. Bee venom contains melittin, a polypeptide that causes intense pain, and apamin, a neurotoxin that can provoke prolonged tremors. It also contains the enzymes phospholipase A2 and hyaluronidase, which destroy cell membranes, promote the spread of toxins in tissues, increase inflammation and allergic reaction.
The main components of wasp venom are the enzymes phospholipase A2 and B and hyaluronidase. It also contains amino acids and peptides that can affect the nervous system and cause severe itching. Unlike bee venom, hornet venom has an alkaline reaction, which ensures rapid penetration of toxins through cell membranes and enhances their effect on the body.
Hornet venom is similar in composition to hornet venom, but differs in the presence of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that accelerates the transmission of pain impulses. Therefore, a hornet sting causes more pronounced pain, and the insect venom penetrates deeper into the tissues, provoking intense inflammation and swelling.
What to do if stung by a hornet?
First aid for a hornet sting includes disinfecting the sting site: wash the skin with running water and soap and treat with an antiseptic to prevent infection from entering the wound. To reduce pain and swelling, apply a cold compress to the bite site for 10-15 minutes. To accelerate the elimination of toxins from the body, it is recommended to drink more fluids. In case of swelling of the face, shortness of breath, rash, dizziness or nausea, call an ambulance.
What should I do if stung by a wasp?
If a wasp stings your leg, arm, or face, you should immediately wash the sting site with soap and water and treat the skin with an antiseptic. Early disinfection will help prevent infection of the wound. Then you should apply cold to the sting of the earth wasp for 10-15 minutes, which will help relieve swelling and pain. During one or two hours it is important to monitor your health: in case of difficulty breathing, rash, swelling of the face or neck, call an ambulance.
What to do if stung by a bee?
Immediately after a bee sting, you should carefully remove the stinger by scraping it off with a blunt object (e.g. a fingernail), taking care not to squeeze the venom sac. Then treat the bee sting with soap and water and an antiseptic to prevent infection. To face, leg or arm after a bee sting is not swollen, it is recommended to apply a cold compress to the wound for 10-15 minutes. If a rash appears, swelling of the face and throat, wheezing and shortness of breath, it is necessary to call an ambulance. Swelling that increases on the second day after a bee sting is an indication to consult an allergist or therapist.
What to do if stung by a wasp when pregnant?
If stung by a wasp in pregnancy, the sting site should be washed with hypoallergenic soap and treated with an antiseptic to help prevent infection. First aid for wasp stings in pregnant women also includes applying cold to the affected area to relieve swelling. It is not recommended to take antihistamines and corticosteroids without prior consultation with a doctor, as many drugs are contraindicated during pregnancy.
If a generalized allergic reaction develops (rash, shortness of breath, dizziness, swelling of the face and neck), an ambulance should be called, as this condition may provoke uterine contractions, bleeding, miscarriage or premature delivery. If the swelling persists for a day or two after the bite or increases in size, a pregnant woman should be examined by a gynecologist or allergist.
What should I do if an infant is stung by a wasp or bee?
If an infant is stung by a wasp or bee, due to the immaturity of the immune system, the reaction to the venom may be more prolonged than in adults. Therefore, even with mild symptoms, a pediatrician or allergist should examine the infant to rule out a delayed allergic reaction and hidden complications. Infant first aid steps for a wasp or bee sting:
- Examine the sting site. The remaining bee sting should be carefully scraped off with a blunt object (fingernail, plastic card, blunt side of a knife blade).
- Treat the wasp or bee sting site with clean running water and mild hypoallergenic soap to prevent infection.
- Apply a cold compress to the sting site for 10-15 minutes to reduce inflammation and slow the absorption of venom into the bloodstream.
You should not give your infant any medicine without first checking with an allergist or pediatrician. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe a safe medication and adjust the dosage based on the child’s age and health. A doctor or ambulance should be called if there is severe swelling after a wasp or bee sting, hoarseness of voice and difficulty breathing, a rash of large red spots or blisters, vomiting, and seizures.
How long does the pain from a bee and wasp sting take to go away?
The stinging pain after a wasp sting takes an average of one to two hours to go away. The initial swelling after a wasp sting subsides in one to two days, and residual swelling, redness and itching may persist for about three to five days.
Acute painful sensations after a bee sting also pass within one to two hours. Severe swelling after a bee sting subsides after one to two days, but residual symptoms (itching, redness, thickening of the skin) may persist for another three to five days.
How long does it take for the pain of a hornet sting to go away?
The sharp, burning pain after a hornet sting usually subsides in two to three hours. Initial swelling and redness in the affected area subsides within one to three days, but residual swelling and itching may persist for up to five to seven days, depending on the individual body and sting site. The duration of symptoms is related to the higher toxicity of hornet venom compared to bee and wasp venom.
How to relieve swelling from a bee and wasp sting at home?
To remove swelling from a bee sting at home helps cold compress to the area of damage. If stung by a wasp and the place of the sting swelled, you need as soon as possible to apply to it a bottle of cold water, ice wrapped in a towel or a cloth soaked in cold water. Cold helps to constrict blood vessels at the site of the bite, restricts blood flow to it and slows the spread of poison through the body. Other methods to help remove swelling in a hornet sting at home:
- activated charcoal compress. Crush a few tablets of activated charcoal, mix with a small amount of water to form a mush and apply to the sting site as a compress. Activated charcoal helps eliminate swelling from a wasp sting by absorbing toxins;
- baking soda compress. Mix a small amount of baking soda with water to form a thick paste and apply it to the sting site. The baking soda helps to neutralize the acidic venom from the bee sting and reduce inflammation and itching.
Elevated positioning of the limb can help remove swelling from a wasp sting. If the sting occurred on the arm or leg, you should try to keep it above the level of the heart, which promotes the outflow of fluid and reduces swelling.
What to put on a wasp, bee or hornet sting?
In case of severe itching, you can anoint a wasp, bee or hornet sting with antihistamine ointment to reduce swelling, irritation and itching. In severe inflammation with swelling with a diameter of more than 10 centimeters ointment wasp sting and other stinging insects recommended cream with corticosteroids, which reduces the local immune response and quickly eliminates inflammation. In case of a mild reaction, you can anoint a bee sting with zinc ointment – it dries the skin, reduces irritation and prevents the development of microinflammation.
To select the drug (especially people prone to allergies) should consult a therapist or allergist. The doctor will prescribe a suitable remedy, taking into account the individual characteristics of the body and the risk of complications.
What folk remedies help with a bee or wasp sting?
In the absence of medications, you can quickly relieve inflammation and itching after a stinging insect sting with the help of some home remedies. Folk remedies for a wasp, bee or hornet sting:
- apple cider vinegar. Mix apple cider vinegar and water in equal proportions, soak a cotton swab and apply to the area of damage for 15-20 minutes. Vinegar has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can reduce swelling;
- onion or garlic. Cut an onion or garlic clove in half and apply to the lesion. Garlic and onions for bee stings can relieve pain and sanitize the wound;
- dandelion juice. Dandelion leaf juice can be applied to the sting site. It has a mild anti-inflammatory effect;
- chopped parsley. Finely chop a few sprigs of fresh parsley and put the mass on the wound. The plant has a cooling effect that can help soothe irritated skin.
Folk remedies for bee stings are not officially recommended and may only help with a mild local reaction. In case of severe swelling, rash over the body, difficulty breathing or weakness, you should consult a doctor.
What is the correct way to use antihistamines for a bee sting?
Antihistamines in a bee sting are prescribed by a doctor to reduce itching, reduce swelling and prevent a severe allergic reaction. Features of the use of antihistamines in stings of stinging insects:
- tablets in a bee sting – taken once immediately after sting extraction and wound disinfection to prevent severe allergies. In case of a severe allergic reaction, the doctor can increase the dosage taking into account the patient’s condition;
- ointments for wasp stings – applied in a thin layer to the area of damage two or three times a day to relieve severe itching.
In case of a generalized allergic reaction with shortness of breath, hives, swelling of the face or throat after a bee sting, injections may be necessary. They work faster than tablets and allow to stabilize the person’s condition quickly.
How do I remove a bee sting?
It is not recommended to remove a bee sting with fingers or tweezers, as this can squeeze the venom sac left at the end of the sting and increase the flow of venom under the skin. The recommended way to remove a bee sting is to gently scrape it off with the blunt edge of a hard object (plastic card, knife, ruler or fingernail).
The edge of the object should be placed against the skin near the sting site and gently swiped towards the tip of the stinger. It is necessary to try to pick up and push the sting outward, avoiding sharp movements. After removal, it is important to carefully inspect the bite site and make sure that no fragments of the stinger or poison sac remain in the skin.
When is a bee sting beneficial?
Studies show that bee venom can kill cancer cells. One of its components, melittin, damages the membranes of tumor cells, inhibiting their growth and slowing the spread of metastasis. Additional benefits of bee stings:
- reduction of inflammation in arthritis and myositis;
- relief of pain in muscles and joints;
- elimination of swelling and muscle spasms;
- stimulation of blood circulation in the affected tissues;
- normalization of blood pressure and heart rate;
- reduction of the risk of thrombosis;
- strengthening of immunity and increasing resistance to infection;
- acceleration of toxin elimination;
- improvement of skin tone and elasticity.
Treatment using bee venom is called apitherapy. It is a branch of alternative medicine in which venom is introduced into the body through controlled insect stings to affected areas of the body or by injection.
Apitherapy should be performed by a qualified professional. Spontaneous stings of bees and wasps are not beneficial. Treatment with bee stings at home can cause a severe allergic reaction, up to life-threatening anaphylactic shock, life-threatening.
