New Delhi: For most people, a bee sting is just a nuisance. You may experience temporary sharp pain, swelling, redness, warmth, and itching at the sting site, but no serious complications. If you’re allergic to bees, or you get stung multiple times, bee stings can be more problematic. They can even be life-threatening.

 

According to the University of California Integrated Pest Management Program, “Only a very limited portion of the population — one to two people out of 1,000 — is allergic or hypersensitive to bee or wasp stings.” 

 

Where is the most painful place for a bee sting?

One researcher decided to investigate how different sting locations around the body compared on a rating scale for pain.

 

Michael Smith, Ph.D., of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, selected 25 locations on the body and conducted an experiment to rate the painfulness of a sting at each location caused by a honey bee.All stings were rated on a scale from 1-10, from low to high pain severity.But, these painful places do not apply for women, because this was a one-man experiment, albeit with a scientific design published in a peer-reviewed journal.

He subjected himself to three rounds of stinging for each location, to give some consistency to the results.

 

• Nostril (9.0)

• Upper lip (8.7)

• Scrotum (7.0)

• Palm (7.0)

• Cheek (7.0)

• Armpit (7.0)

• Abdomen (6.7)

• Middle finger tip (6.7)

 

Bee stings are certainly not pleasant and here are few facts regarding Bee Sting:

• There are around 20,000 different species of bees in the world today.

• Only female bees can sting thanks to the venom they store in a sac attached to their stinger, which is part of the female bee’s reproductive system. 

• Some kinds of bees, like Africanized honeybees, are more likely to sting than are other bees to swarm and sting in a group.

• Approximately 3 percent of people stung by bees and wasps experience an allergic reaction. Up to 0.8 percent of bee sting victims experience the severe, life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. 

• Some kinds of bees actually die after stinging because their stingers (attached to their abdomen) have little hooks on them and when they go to fly away after stinging someone, part of their abdomens are torn away.

Also as no one likes to get stung, so here's some advice for everyone:

• Wear shoes outdoors.

• Don't disturb hives or insect nests.

• Don't wear sweet-smelling perfume, lotions, or hair products.

• Avoid bright-colored or flower-printed clothing.

• Cover food when eating outdoors.

• Watch out for garbage cans because they attract bees and yellow jackets.

• If a bee or wasp flies around you, stay calm and don't swat at it. 

 

Bees and wasps are both in the order know as Hymenoptera. The most familiar sting is from honeybees, but some wasps and other insects can also sting.

 

Symptoms:

 

Bee stings can produce different reactions, ranging from temporary pain and discomfort to a severe allergic reaction. Having one type of reaction doesn't mean you'll always have the same reaction every time you're stung, or that the next reaction will necessarily be more severe as per the National Capital Poison Control:

Mild reaction

 

• Instant, sharp burning pain at the sting site

• A red welt at the sting area

• Slight swelling around the sting area

 

Moderate reaction

 

• Extreme redness

• Swelling at the site of the sting that gradually enlarges over the next day or two

 

Severe allergic reaction

• Skin reactions, including hives and itching and flushed or pale skin

• Difficulty breathing

• Swelling of the throat and tongue

• A weak, rapid pulse

• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

• Dizziness or fainting

• Loss of consciousness

 

 

First aid for someone who has been stung by a bee or wasp includes:

Do’s:

• Remove the stinger promptly if it remains - honey bee stingers usually stay in the skin, continuing to inject venom

• To remove the stinger, wipe over it with a piece of gauze, or scrape a finger nail, piece of card, or a bank card over it

• Remain calm - walk away calmly since wasps and hornets can sting again (they do not usually leave a stinger)

• Wash the site of the sting with plain soap and water

 

 

Don’t: 

• Squeeze the stinger in an attempt to remove it - this can cause more venom to be injected - avoid using tweezers for this reason

• Scratch the sting - this could aggravate the problem and lead to an infection

• Panic! Waving around will not help, and wasps and hornets may sting again

• Burst any blisters that develop since this can lead to infection

 

Treatment: 

 

Unless you’re allergic to bees or experiencing signs of a severe allergic reaction, you can treat most bee stings at home. 

 

If a honeybee stings you, remove the stinger immediately with the edge of your fingernail or the edge of a credit card. This helps curb the amount of toxins released into your skin. Wash the sting site with soap and water. Icing the sting site is the most effective way to reduce venom absorption. It also can also help reduce swelling.

 

 

Most home treatments for bee sting symptoms aren’t supported by scientific research. Yet they’ve been passed down for generations. These home remedies may help relieve bee sting symptoms:

 

Honey

 

Honey may help with wound healing, pain, and itching. To treat bee stings with honey, apply a small amount to the affected area. Cover with a loose bandage and leave on for up to an hour.

 

Apple cider vinegar

 

Vinegar may also help neutralize bee venom. Soak the sting site in a basin of apple cider vinegar for at least 15 minutes. You can also soak a bandage or cloth in the vinegar and then apply it to the sting site.

 

Baking soda

A paste made of baking soda and water can help neutralize bee venom to reduce pain, itching, and swelling. Apply a thick layer of baking soda paste to the affected area. Cover the paste with a bandage. Leave on for at least 15 minutes and re-apply as needed.

 

Meat tenderizer

 

An enzyme in meat tenderizer called papain is also believed to help break down the protein that causes pain and itching. To treat a bee sting this way, make a solution of one-part meat tenderizer and four-part water. Apply to the sting site for up to 30 minutes.

 

 

But, if an insect sting has led to swelling or blistering, or if signs of infection develop, such as pus, then to go to a doctor is recommended. 

A doctor may offer medication to help with local swelling, itching, or pain including painkillers, topical corticosteroids, and antihistamines.

If the local reaction is larger and more severe, such as when the local swelling (edema) is severe, oral corticosteroids may be prescribed for a course of 3-5 days, as per said by Dr. Yashveer from Gurgaon.

 

 

References:

www.mayoclinic.org

http://kidshealth.org

http://www.healthline.com

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com