Bee Sting First Aid

A Bee Sting Can Be Deadly... Seconds can make a big difference




bee sting

Bee sting first aid can be vital depending on the body's response to bee venom.

bee sting

Bee Sting First Aid - Quick summary:

1. Make a quick get away from the bees or more stings may occur.

bee swarm hive

2. Remove the stinger - speed matters not the method.

removal of bee stinger

Anaphylactic reaction -

3. If a person knows they are allergic to bee stings they will usually carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen). This needs to be given straight away DO NOT WAIT FOR ALLERGIC SYMPTOMS TO APPEAR.

If you are not familiar with Allergy symptoms they include:

  • wheezing or difficulty with breathing
  • tightness in the throat or chest
  • swelling of the lips, tongue, or face
  • dizziness or fainting
  • nausea or vomiting

4. If the person has an anaphylactic reaction call emergency services.

5. Monitor DR-ABCD's - (new version of ABC's). Give CPR if needed.

OR for NON-anaphylactic reaction -

3. If the person experiences a local allergic reaction or inflammation at the site of the sting consider giving them an antihistamine tablet and pain relief. It is common to develop some itchiness at the sting site.

4. Apply a cold compress to the stung area.


Bee Sting First Aid - More Info

NOW an In-depth explanation of the above steps for bee sting first aid:-

  • Get away from the bees or more stings may occur - bees call for reinforcement by releasing a scent to let other bees know there is danger around. They come "running" or more accurately flying to the aid of their team mate. They are on a mission to protect the hive so look out if they find you.
  • Symptoms of anaphylaxis:- Most anaphylactic-type reactions will occur within the first 3-4 hours, usually within the first 30 minutes.

    * They include a feeling of warmth, flushing, tingling in the mouth or a red, itchy rash.

    * Other symptoms may include feelings of light-headedness, shortness of breath, throat tightness, anxiety, pain/cramps and/or vomiting and diarrhoea.

    * In severe cases, you may experience a drop in blood pressure that results in a loss of consciousness and shock.

    Without immediate treatment from an injection of epinephrine (adrenalin), anaphylaxis may be fatal. This medication reverses the allergic reaction, at least temporarily, to provide the life-saving time needed to get professional medical treatment. It is very important that the person goes to hospital as the effects of adrenaline can wear off and there is the possibility of a second reaction.
  • What happens in the body during an allergic reaction?

    Allergy symptoms are the result of a chain reaction that starts in your immune system. Your immune system overreacts to something (allergen) that has entered the body. Most allergens in themselves are harmless. The body flags this "thing/invader" as a threat to the body and tries to "disarm" it. Chemicals such as histamine cause allergy symptoms such as swelling.
  • Histamine effect - When a person is exposed to an allergen (a threat to our body) our mast cells (which are a type of white blood cell) release a chemical called histamine. Histamine attaches to cells called receptors on nearby blood vessels, causing them to dilate or enlarge, leading to redness, swelling, itching and changes in secretions. Histamine is a chemical found in each and every cell of your body. It is released in response to a need in one or more cells to keep our body from harm.
  • Antihistamines do not stop our mast cells producing histamine; they stop your body’s cells being affected by histamine in the normal way, by impersonating it and attaching to the receptor cells thus blocking histamine from triggering allergy symptoms.
  • Click on this link for more information on DR-ABCD or this link if you want a better understanding of CPR.
  • Cold Compress - Applying coolness to the area will help reduce swelling and pain. If a cool cloth is not doing the trick then place ice on top or wrap the cloth around the ice. Do not apply ice directly to the area as this can cause frostbite. This is an added extra you don't want.

(Photo 1 by Tim Knight)
(Photo 2 by Wikimedia Commons User Waugsberg used under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 License)
(Photo 4 by Mike Merchant)

































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