Bee Stings

A honeybee usually stings to defend its colony. It injects a mixture of substances into its victim and these have various effects.

What happens?

1. When the sting goes in it hurts and, after a second or two, the pain may return for a short time.
2. There may be swelling around the site of the sting. This may not appear until the next day and can be quite severe.
3. More general reactions may occur such as increased heart rate, a rash, flushing etc.
4. In very few cases anaphylactic shock may occur, usually very rapidly.
5. Most beekeepers develop immunity to the substances in the sting. This takes time.

What to do in normal cases

1. Remove the sting as rapidly as possible by scraping it out.
2. Puff smoke onto the stung area to mask the smell.
3. If there are several bees trying to sting close the hive as quietly and calmly as you can and retreat.
4. If you feel it helps, apply some surface treatment eg. ice packs, various sting relief creams.

ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK

This is a severe allergic reaction. It occurs very rarely and the individual must have received at least one previous sting from a honey bee. Symptoms may include increased heart rate, headache, flushing, itching, vomiting, faintness, difficulty in breathing and loss of consciousness. It can happen in a few minutes, following a single sting. Hospital treatment is essential. Death can result in a very short time if treatment is not received.

IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU, OR ANYONE WITH YOU, IS SUFFERING AN ANAPHYLACTIC REACTION, EITHER CALL FOR AN AMBULANCE OR GO TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL CASUALTY DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY.