Health Encyclopedia

Bee poison

Definition

This poisoning is caused by a sting from a bee, wasp, or yellow jacket.

Alternative Names

Apitoxin poisoning; Apis venenum purum poisoning; Apis virus poisoning

Poisonous Ingredient

Bee, wasp, and yellow jacket stings give off a substance called venom.

Where Found

Bees
Wasps
Yellow jackets

Symptoms

Whole Body
- Pain at site of sting
- Collapse *
- Swelling of the face and lips *
Lungs
- Difficulty breathing *
Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Swelling of throat *
Skin
- Swelling at site of sting
- Itching
- Hives *
Heart and blood vessels
- Severe decrease in blood pressure *
Gastrointestinal
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramping
- Diarrhea

* These symptoms are due to an allergic reaction and not venom.

Home Treatment

For those who have an allergy to bee, wasp, or yellow jacket stings, it is important to always carry a bee sting kit (which requires a prescription) and become familiar with its use. The kit contains medicine called epinephrine, which should immediately be given to any allergic person who gets a bee sting.

Call Poison Control or a hospital emergency room if the person has an allergy to the insect or was stung inside the mouth or throat. People with severe reactions may need to go to the hospital.

Remove the stinger from the skin (if it is still present). Carefully scrape the back of a knife or other thin straight-edged object across the stinger if the victim is able to remain still, and it is safe to do so. Otherwise, you can pull out the stinger with tweezers or your fingers, but avoid pinching the venom sac at the end of the stinger. If this sac is broken, more venom will be released.

Clean the area thoroughly with soap and water.

Place ice (wrapped in a washcloth or other suitable covering) on the site of the sting for 10 minutes and then off for 10 minutes. Repeat this process. If patient has circulatory problems, decreasing the time that the ice is on the area can prevent possible skin damage.

Give the person diphenhydramine (Benadryl) by mouth. This antihistamine drug may be used alone for a mild symptoms.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Type of insect, if possible
Time stung

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If safely possible, bring the insect to the emergency room for identification.

See National Poison Control center.

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The patient may receive:

Medicines to treat the symptoms
Medicines to treat any allergic reaction
Breathing help, if needed.

Expectations (prognosis)

If a severe allergic reaction occurs, death may quickly occur. The sooner a person receives treatment, the better the chances for survival.

Patients who are not allergic to bees or wasps usually get better within 1 week.

Review Date:4/4/2006
Reviewed By:Janeen R. Azare, PhD, MSPH, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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