How to Avoid and Treat Bee Stings

Summertime sees many types of insects joining us in the great outdoors. Some of these insects defend themselves using a poisonous bite or sting. Of all the insects which use this defense mechanism, the ones most likely to have a bite or sting which is harmful to humans are honey bees, bumble bees, Africanized bees, paper wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and fire ants. Many of the species live colonies, so if one stings you in defense, you run the risk of being stung by many. While, for most people, one sting can be painful it is usually not life-threatening. However, multiple stings can quickly become a medical emergency even for healthy individuals.

Most bees, with the exception of Africanized bees, are not known for being aggressive. Because bees die when they sting, stinging is usually a last act of defense for the bee. If you are stung by a bee, chances are the bee will leave its stinger in your skin. The stinger has a venom sac in the end, which will "pump" venom even after the body of the bee is gone. To avoid pushing more venom out of the sac and down the stinger into the skin, use something with a flat edge (such as a credit card) to gently push the stinger off. (If it helps, think of the motions used to shave off a beard - that is the motion to use with the credit card to remove the stinger.) Using a tweezers or your fingers to pull out the stinger, means you run the risk of squeezing the tiny sac and pumping out more venom.

Once the stinger is out, you will probably notice immediate pain and redness near the sting site. Itching may follow soon after. Over the next 12-36 hours the area surrounding the sting site, possibly over 6 inches across, may swell and itch.

You can reduce the swelling following a bee sting, by applying ice to the site. (Do not apply the ice directly to the skin - put a cloth between the skin and the ice.) You may want to consider taking an antihistamine to help with the itching and ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain. The sting site should be kept clean by washing with soap and water.

Medical attention should be sought immediately following a sting if the person is known to be allergic to bee stings or if multiple stings are involved. If one or more of the following symptoms occur medical attention should be sought immediately: shortness of breath, hives, vomiting, nausea, chest pain, dizziness, hives, swelling of the throat and or mouth and/or fainting. These indicate an allergic reaction is occurring. If medical help is not obtained, the person could become unconscious, go into a coma and in rare cases, die.

The best way to avoid bee stings is to avoid bees. However, there are things you can do to avoid random encounters with bees.

• Be cautious with food - especially cans of soda. Bees are attracted to sweet things an often crawl unnoticed into soda cans, only to be "discovered" when someone takes a drink!
• If you know you will be outside, try not wear perfume or use scented shampoos and soaps. Bees are attracted to floral fragrances.
• If a bee lands on you - don't panic! Hold still and try to gently blow on the bee to get it moving. Rapid movement startles bees and puts them on the defensive
• Wearing shoes and hats can help protect areas you can't see against bees.

Remember bees are beneficial to mankind. They usually do not sting unless provoked. The simplest things you can do if you find yourself in an area with many bees - is to calmly vacate the area and find another place to enjoy the outdoors.