Treatment of Hymenoptera Stings
Forest Health Guide for Georgia Foresters
Written by Terry Price, Georgia Forestry Commission
Adapted for the web by the Bugwood Network
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Warning: If stung, remove all rings and bracelets immediately. Arms and hands may swell twice
their normal size in a matter of minutes. If you are known to be hypersensitive, wear a medical alert bracelet in the event you are stung and lose consciousness.
Local Reactions:
- A honey bee stinger should be scraped off with a knife blade, credit card or long fingernail. If the stinger is lifted with fingers or forceps, the venom sac, which is attached, could get mashed, forcing more venom into the victim.
- Wasps and other bees do not leave stingers in the skin. There is no need to try and scrape for stingers.
- Wash the sting site with soap and water or disinfect the site with an antiseptic to prevent infection. Elevate the affected limb to about heart level.
- Several topical creams or ointments are available that contain benadryl which will relieve itching and reduce local swelling. If these are not available, wet table salt placed immediately on the sting site will lessen the swelling and pain (Figure 199). None of these remedies will prevent a systemic reaction in hypersensitive persons.
- Be aware of systemic reactions developing within 10-30 minutes.
Figure 199
photo by A. Burns Weathersby |
Systemic Reactions:
- Use an insect sting kit if available. Follow the directions provided in the kit. Transport the victim to the nearest physician or urgent care center. One study indicated that 70% of all deaths related to Hymenoptera stings were from respiratory failure caused by massive secretions and/or swelling resulting in blocked airways.
- If a sting kit is not available, place an ice pack on the sting site and transport the victim to the nearest medical facility. Remember, most systemic reactions occur within 10-30 minutes. One study indicated that 58% die in less than 1 hour and that one-half of the deaths from Hymenoptera stings occur in victims over 50 years of age.
- A sting kit is not a substitute for a physician. Even after the administration of epinephrine, a victim may experience a second phase of anaphylaxis hours after the initial reaction. Always see a physician and make sure family members know how to use the sting kit.
Avoiding Stings and Other Injuries
- Wear dull colored clothing when outdoors. Brightly colored clothing attracts certain Hymenoptera. Remember flowers are brightly colored and many bees and wasps feed on the nectar and pollen of flowers.
- Wear long sleeves and long legged pants outdoors where practical. Sweat bees can sting and are attracted to sweaty skin.
- Do not wear sweet smelling cologne or perfume when outdoors. Sweet odors attract bees and wasps.
- Before you smell the roses make sure a bee hasn’t beat you to them. Flowers that are big and showy can harbor a bee deep inside.
- Don’t swat at flying bugs. If you hear a buzzing sound around the head, stay calm and retreat slowly.
- If you encounter a nest, don’t panic and don’t forget where you are. Tree surgeons have let go of ropes high above the ground and painters have jumped from scaffolding.
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