How to treat bee stings

Bee stings cause sharp pain, swelling and can lead to poisoning and even death if not treated promptly. So, what to do and how to give first aid when stung by a bee?

First aid for bee stings

Identification and symptoms of bee sting poisoning

Honeybee

Wasps, hornets

First aid for bee stings

Some folk experiences in immediate treatment of bee sting wounds

Prevent bee stings

Bee sting wound

The types of bees that are often poisonous and dangerous are hornets, hornets and some unknown species of bees in mountainous areas. People who are stung by many bees often become pale, shocked, have cardiovascular collapse, and even lead to death, which is very unfortunate. If first aid is given promptly and properly, many people will overcome the danger.

Bee venom is contained in two venom glands that lead to a stinger behind the bee's butt. The left gland contains a liquid alkaline substance, the right gland contains a liquid acidic substance. Bee venom is mainly composed of protein along with invasive enzymes, hemolytic enzymes, cytolytic enzymes, allergens and acetylcholine... Depending on the species of bee, the venom will be more or less toxic. Some types can kill a person with just ten stings, such as wasps and hornets; but there are also types that are almost non-toxic (honey bees).

Identification and symptoms of bee sting poisoning

Honeybee

The last foot segment (3rd foot) is larger and carries a pollen ball (pollen basket). When burned, it leaves a stinger and the nest has honey.

The hornet (beak that guards the rafter) makes large nests on high tree branches and cliffs. The nests hang down like water bladders. The bees are large and very ferocious.

Our country currently has 5 native bee species (domestic bees, honey bees, red fly bees, black fly bees and rock bees) and bees imported from foreign countries. In general, honey bees are docile (except honey bees).

Symptoms after being stung:

Pain and swelling at the sting site.

Burning dangerous areas (head, face, neck): can cause difficulty breathing, eye damage + Allergy: rash, red skin all over the body, difficulty breathing, allergic shock (rapid, weak pulse, low blood pressure).

Wasps, hornets

Identification: Hornets (wasps, hornets) make nests on trees, roofs, columns, etc. The nests have wood grain patterns, are oval or large with only one hole for the bees to enter and exit, and are aggressive. Wasps (wasps, hornets, and hornets) make nests underground, often using abandoned termite nests or holes in the ground, which are easy for people walking in the forest to step on. The bees are very large, maybe the size of a finger, and are very aggressive. These bees do not leave a stinger when they sting, and one bee can sting many times.

Toxicity: Very toxic, causes skin damage and leaves wounds and scars in the burned area, toxic to muscles, kidneys, and blood. Easily fatal, large livestock with multiple stings may also die.

First aid for bee stings

Quickly remove the victim from the area where there are bees.

Keep the victim still and avoid moving too much to limit the spread of venom in the body.

Gently pick or use tweezers to remove the stinger. Never squeeze the stinger with your hands because the venom sac may rupture, causing the venom to spread and penetrate deeper into the body.

Wash the sting site with soap and warm water or an antiseptic solution, then apply a cold washcloth or ice pack to the sting area to relieve pain and reduce swelling.

Give the victim water to drink to help flush out toxins.

After first aid, the victim must be taken immediately to the nearest medical facility for timely emergency care, especially when there are signs of more serious illness.

Stings to the face, neck, mouth, throat (may cause suffocation or blindness). The patient may experience discomfort, for example:

Severe pain and swelling in many burned areas.

Itching.

Shortness of breath.

so tired

Pee less.

Yellow eyes, yellow skin.

Patients with difficulty breathing : Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or artificial respiration using available means. Do not self-medicate (whether traditional medicine or modern medicine), do not try to find lime to apply because it is time-consuming, not good if the bite is multiple, the sting is on the face, neck, or mouth.

Some folk experiences in immediate treatment of bee sting wounds

These methods are applied in cases where the sting is not too severe:

Recipe 1: 30g chives leaves or 30g fresh dried Chinese clematis or fresh pinellia leaves, or 50 - 100g bottle gourd leaves, or 30 - 50g white bean leaves or fresh mint leaves, crushed and applied to the bee sting to help relieve pain and reduce swelling.

Lesson 2: 1 fresh flower (any kind of flower), rub on the burned area to help reduce swelling immediately.

Lesson 3: 15g fresh hibiscus leaves , add a little salt, crush, then apply to the sting.

Lesson 4: Express some breast milk (from a breastfeeding mother), apply it to the sting to help relieve pain and reduce swelling.

Lesson 5: Crush chrysanthemum leaves and rub on the sting 5-7 times a day.

Lesson 6: 1 raw taro root, cut into pieces and rub on the sting to help relieve pain.

Lesson 7: Crush amaranth and rub it on the burned area to quickly relieve the pain.

Lesson 8: Cut a fresh branch of the frangipani tree at a 45 degree angle, shake off the sap, and rub it in one direction several times on the bee sting. The venom will peel off and the pain and swelling will stop.

You can also apply calamine lotion (usually applied to burns to relieve pain) or sodium hydroxide to the wound, which will neutralize and absorb the venom. Cover the wound with a bandage.

Prevent bee stings

Avoid contact with bees unless necessary.

Do not provoke or tease bees, do not injure bees (it will release an alarm signal to attract the swarm), do not disturb the beehive if it is not necessary and not safe.

Do not leave houses, floors or rooms unattended (bees can easily come and make nests).

Detect beehives early and destroy them if they are in crowded places, places with a lot of people passing by, or in households. They should be destroyed as soon as the beehive is newly built (still small, usually in March-April).

Bees entering the house or making a nest in the house should not be considered a good omen.

When going into the forest, avoid wearing bright, colorful clothes. Do not use perfume, shampoo, cosmetics, etc. that have a sweet and fragrant smell. Do not go barefoot, do not wear clothes that are too loose. Wear a hat with a mesh cover, gloves, and thick, closed clothes if possible.

When the bee flies, do not run, stand or sit still and do not move (the bee will not see you anymore).

If attacked by bees, you can use any available spray with an unpleasant smell or use smoke to repel them (do not do this if there is a risk of forest fire).

How to remove a beehive : Use smoke (do not do this if there is a risk of fire), insecticidal spray (eg mosquito spray) to drive away all the bees. Then use a screen or small mesh to cover the beehive and remove it (to avoid the case of bees remaining in the nest). The worker wears thick clothes or a raincoat (thick plastic) and a hat and gloves.