The Dangers of Bee Stings

 

A reminder about common sense and safety involving honey bees and all stinging insects.
While unusual, bee stinging incidents resulting in deaths are not unheard of. There are occasional reports of such incidents from around the country. There are two reasons an individual may die from bee stings. Just one sting can cause anaphylactic shock and possible death in a person highly allergic to the venom. And, ca massive number of stings can cause death of e"yen a non allergic individual.
Allergic persons can experience illness and possible death from any hymenoptera (stinging insects such as bees, wasps, ants, etc.) not just honey bees. About 10 percent of the population are allergic to hymenoptera of one type or the other, and 10 percent of those allergic to honey bees will also be allergic to other hymenoptera and vice versa. .
Anyone who receives an insect sting which results in more than localized pain and swelling should contact a physician. Generalized reactions such as severe swelling of the affected limb or itching could indicate the person may have more serious problems with future stings.

Farmers,.sportsmen, and other persons who spend a lot
of time outdoors, but who are allergic to stings, should keep "sting kits" which include injectable epinephrine with them at all times. In addition, there are desensitization regimens available, Both the sting kit and the desensitization require a physician's orders,
Honey bees are not aggressive by nature; when they do sting, they are usually defending their nests. When there is a death, the victim was usually elderly or young or, due to some condition, could not escape from. the bees.

The best reaction to disturbed bees is to run away from the area immediately; honey bees seldom pursue a person away from the immediate vicinity of their nest
Even experienced beekeepers should wear protective clothing when. working bees. Eye protection is especially important, since one sting to the lens of the eye can permanently damage eyesight.
The reaction of a colony of honey bees to an intruder can vary widely according to many factors, including the number of bees. in the hive or nest, the weather conditions, and the ambient temperature. Also, some bees are naturally more hostile to disruptions than are others.
Single insect stings are often generically referred to as "bee stings," even though the offender may be a wasp or yellow jacket. Honey bee stingers are barbed and will pull out of the bee and are left behind on the victim's skin along with a venom sac. If there is no stinger, the offending insect was a wasp or some other smooth stinger insect.
Removal of the stinger immediately will lessen the impact . Scrape the stinger away with a fingernail or something similar. Using tweezers or pinching the stinger with your fingers can squeeze more venom into the flesh.
There are various over-the counter remedies to ease the pain of insect stings; a paste made from meat tenderizer is also supposed to help alleviate the pain.