Despite the fact that bees are useful insects, they can pose a serious danger to health, in some cases - to human life. According to statistics, an allergy to a bee sting is recorded in about 2-3% of victims. This figure only at first glance seems insignificant, therefore it will not be superfluous to learn more about the possible reaction to a bee sting and help in this situation.

First aid

The stinging apparatus of a bee is, in fact, a somewhat modified ovipositor, which is located at the end of the insect's abdomen. Along the entire surface of the sting, there are notches that remain in the human body after an insect bite. In this case, not only a sting remains in the victim's body, but also a poisonous gland and even a muscle sac filled with poison. When the latter is reduced, the poison enters the human body and provokes an allergic reaction.

Interesting! Only females have a sting. They sting only for self-defense.

A person who has been stung by an insect should first remove the sting from the injection site. Only after that, proceed to further actions aimed at preventing the occurrence of an allergic reaction or minimizing its consequences.

Bee stings

In no case should you remove the sting with nails or other non-sterile instruments.

When providing first aid, you will need to apply a cold compress to the bite site - this will reduce pain and burning. In addition, this manipulation is able to slow down the spread of a toxic substance throughout the human body. As a result, the swelling from the injection will be less.

Then a tourniquet should be applied (if the affected area allows it) - this is usually done a little higher than the bite site.

If there is a risk of allergy, the victim should be given any antihistamine. The most effective are Tavegil, Cetirizine, Telfast, etc. As a rule, the development of edema and the appearance of a rash indicate the development of an allergic reaction.

Important!It is imperative to call an ambulance and keep the bitten under close supervision for the possibility of progression of symptoms.

In the event of anaphylactic shock and the arrest of blood circulation caused by it, cardiopulmonary resuscitation must be performed without delay. To do this, the victim should be placed on any horizontal surface, his head thrown back and the airways open. After that, you need to alternate about 30 clicks in the chest area to a depth of 5 to 6 cm with two breaths. As for artificial respiration, it can be done in two ways: mouth to mouth or mouth to nose. The ongoing resuscitation measures in no case should be stopped until the ambulance arrives.

Allergy consequences

Bee sting

From a clinical point of view, the consequences of allergies can be of three degrees of severity.

I degree

In the first degree, the severity of the disease is characterized by damage to the skin: swelling, swelling or redness appear. Internal organs are unaffected.

Bee sting allergy grade 1

II degree

The consequences of an allergic reaction of the second severity already affect the internal organs. First of all, the gastrointestinal tract and the genitourinary system react.

III degree

The third degree of severity is anaphylaxis. If the victim does not receive immediate medical attention, death is almost inevitable.

On a note!By determining the severity of the reaction to a bee sting, it is possible to understand whether the patient needs hospitalization. If the victim is not an adult, but a child, it is recommended to call an ambulance in any of the above cases.

Allergy temperature

How to treat a bee sting

In some cases, an allergic reaction to a bee sting can lead to an increase in temperature. As a rule, it does not rise above 38 degrees. When an allergy is superimposed on a viral infection, the temperature can rise much higher. Fever is usually accompanied by nausea, dizziness, coughing, and general weakness. Spasms and cramps may begin.

Antipyretic tablets

In this case, the treatment should be comprehensive, the temperature should definitely try to bring down. Any simple antipyretic is suitable for this. Seeing a doctor in such a situation is mandatory. Self-medication can lead to the most undesirable consequences.

Possible allergy symptoms

The ingredients that make up the bee venom are perceived by the body as foreign agents when they enter the tissues. Accordingly, the immune system can begin to react sharply.

Bee sting - how to relieve swelling

The poison contains the following components:

  • melitin;
  • norepinephrine;
  • peptide compounds;
  • orthophosphoric compounds;
  • hydrochloric acid.

It is these components that react with various substances in the human body and cause the release of histamine, which is the culprit for the development of an allergic reaction.

The most common manifestations of allergies:

  • general weakness of the body;
  • trembling all over the body;
  • convulsions;
  • swelling;
  • redness.

Each symptom listed is an immune response to the penetration of bee venom into the body.

Interesting! A bee can only bite a person when it senses danger. Moreover, only females have a sting.

It is especially dangerous when a person begins to choke after a bite.

Quincke's edema

Quincke's edema (or, as it is also called, giant urticaria) as a reaction to the bite of a striped insect is a local edema of the subcutaneous tissue and mucous membranes. It is developing rapidly. Medical practice shows that women are more prone to giant urticaria than men.

Giant urticaria

In fact, this is a common allergy, but with a much more pronounced vascular component. The occurrence of Quincke's edema is associated with the effect of allergy mediators on the nerve trunks and blood vessels, due to which their work is disrupted.

The symptoms of this reaction to a bee sting are as follows:

  • abrupt start and very rapid development;
  • swelling of the respiratory organs (usually the larynx) - characterized by difficulty breathing, hoarseness, barking cough;
  • increased anxiety;
  • discoloration of the skin (first, the face turns blue, then turns pale);
  • loss of consciousness (not always);
  • local edema in the face (eyelids, lips);
  • swelling of the tongue, tonsils, or soft palate;
  • swelling of the genitourinary tract;
  • swelling of the brain (often accompanied by seizures);
  • swelling of the digestive system (signs of colitis and increased peristalsis appear).

Important! If swelling on the face spreads to the lining of the brain, in the absence of emergency medical attention, there is a high probability of death.

At the first suspicion of the development of Quincke's edema, it is necessary to call an ambulance. This should be done even if the patient generally feels satisfactory. The fact is that this can change at any moment.

While waiting for the ambulance team, one cannot remain idle. It is necessary to provide the victim with first aid:

  • put the bitten bee in a comfortable position, reassuring if possible;
  • remove the sting;
  • give an antihistamine;
  • provide an abundant alkaline drink - mineral water or a solution of water with soda in a ratio of 1 g per 1 liter (this will contribute to the elimination of the allergen from the body);
  • give activated carbon at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight;
  • provide free air access and remove all objects that obstruct breathing.

Removing the sting from the bite site

The provision of emergency care by doctors has a solution to several tasks simultaneously:

  1. Termination of the effect of insect poison on the body (application of a tourniquet).
  2. Hormone therapy aimed at eliminating edema and normalizing respiratory function (usually prednisol or dexymethasone is used).
  3. Desensitizing therapy (intramuscular administration of antihistamines).

In parallel, symptomatic treatment is carried out. So, for example, colloidal and saline solutions are administered to prevent hypotension and normalize blood circulation. With the development of bradycardia, atropine is injected subcutaneously with an interval of 10 minutes. If bronchospasm develops, agonists are used.

In extremely rare cases, epinephrine and ephedrine may be required.

The body's response to a bee sting

Not all people develop a bee sting allergy. But even in her absence, there is little pleasant in him. A single bite usually causes only a local reaction and causes severe burning pain.

Even more unpleasant sensations will be with a bite in the eye area. A pronounced swelling will appear on the eyelid, and the eye will completely close. In this case, as a rule, increased lacrimation appears, and some complications may develop. For example, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, or panophthalmitis.

Note!A bite on the lips will also cause localized swelling and may make breathing difficult. The latter option most often occurs if the bee got into jam, honey or another product, and the person did not notice this during the meal.

Children and pregnant women suffer the worst bites from striped insects. With the latter, the provision of assistance becomes especially problematic, since most drugs in this state are contraindicated. In children, the reaction to bee venom is usually more pronounced than in adults.

In fairness, it should be noted that a bee sting does not only harm the body, but also some benefit. In folk medicine, there is even such a direction as apitherapy, through which it is objectively possible to cope with a number of diseases. Surprisingly, the same components of the poison that cause allergies can have a healing effect on the body.