What is a bee sting?
A bee sting, which simply means a sting by a bee, can be extremely troublesome. Bee stings hurt more than other insect stings because they are acidic, and hence the body reacts differently to them.
If a person stung by a bee has had allergic reactions to bee stings in the past, it can become potentially life-threatening.
What are its main signs and symptoms?
A bee sting can produce a different reaction in each person or even different reactions in the same person in different situations. The reactions are broadly categorised as mild, moderate and severe.
- Mild reactions resolve in less than a day.
- Burning sensation and pain at the sting site
- Redness and slight swelling
- Moderate reactions take about a week to subside.
- Swelling which gradually grows in size
- Persistent redness for a few days
- Severe reactions called anaphylactic reactions can be fatal and are considered a medical emergency, requiring immediate treatment.
What are its main causes?
- When a person is stung by a bee, its stinger releases venom into the skin. This causes pain and swelling.
- People living in areas around bee hives or those working with bees are more susceptible to a bee sting.
- An individual who has been stung by a bee in the past is at higher risk of a more severe reaction.
How is it diagnosed and treated?
- If you get stung by a bee, tests are advised to check if you are allergic to bee venom. The tests include:
- A blood test to check for levels of certain antibodies called IgE antibodies.
- A skin patch test, in which a small amount of venom is injected to see if you develop a reaction.
- For stings in which there is a mild reaction, it is important to remove the stinger to reduce the venom in the body and then apply a topical steroid cream. Antihistamines can also be used, along with cold compresses.
- In more severe cases, immediate treatment is required for anaphylaxis, which includes epinephrine injection, supplemental oxygen and intravenous fluid administration. Anaphylaxis is considered a medical emergency, and immediate treatment should be sought.