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Bumble bees are found naturally everywhere. There are many types with various colors and patterns and are usually larger than honeybees. They usually pollinate flowers and don’t produce honey. Honeybees are small and golden in color with tiny hairs that make them look fuzzy- they mainly look for pollen to produce honey.
Wasps are bigger than bees and have black and brighter yellow stripes – they usually eat insects.
Hornets are fatter than wasps and have brownish, red-orange markings and eat insects as well. Hornets are usually less aggressive, but their stings are more painful.
Honeybees usually sting once and die, but bumble bees, hornets and wasps can sting multiple times.
When a bee stings, it injects some venom into the body through the stinger. This generates severe pain that fades away shortly. Occasionally, in 1% of the cases an allergic reaction against the venom can develop. So, the response to a sting can differ per incident and per person.
Prevention
Bees rarely sting if unprovoked, that also applies to wasps and hornets. Try not to bump into or touch their hives, avoid heavy smells, blue color, and rapid hand movements.
Treatment
As soon as possible after a sting, remove the stinger with a fingernail or hard object like a credit card. Don’t squeeze as that would release more venom. Wash the area with soap and water and apply ice or cold compresses.
Stings can cause two types of reactions:
- Non allergic local reaction is the most common. It causes swelling, itching, and redness at the sting site. It can occur directly after or a few hours later and can last hours to days. Usually medical treatment is not necessary, but you can apply the measures above, plus applying an anti-itch cream like a calming solution or hydrocortisone and take an anti-inflammatory medicine like Ibuprofen 1 If the sting is in the mouth or throat, take your child immediately to the hospital since it can result in blocked airway.
- Allergic reaction.
In 1% of the population a sting can cause a general allergic reaction. That can happen from a few seconds to thirty minutes after the sting, and does not happen the first time your child gets stung.
Symptoms can vary from mild, like itching, redness, hives swelling all over. It can be severe with intestinal problems like vomiting and diarrhea, breathing difficulty, heart palpitations, fainting, dizziness and shivers. In its most serious form, stings can cause an anaphylactic reaction with loss of consciousness and shock. 2
If your child develops mild symptoms, apply the measures above and contact your doctor, who may choose to admit your child for observation or advise you to give home treatment.
If your child has more serious symptoms like vomiting, swelling or shock, go to the hospital immediately, or call emergency services like the red cross. Your child will be most likely to be admitted and given antihistamines, corticosteroids or adrenaline for shock.
A toxic reaction can occur if your child is stung too many times in a brief period, mostly with wasps or hornets. That could cause nervous or heart or respiratory problems. So, take your child immediately to the hospital or give rescue measures if you’re waiting for the red cross or other services.
If you know your child has a severe allergy to bee stings, consult your doctor so they prescribe an auto-injector device to carry along when going outdoors where they might encounter bees.
Always remember that bee stings are mostly mild and can be treated at home but be prepared for the rare allergic reaction.
Dr. Ziad Hashem
Pediatrician Infectious Pediatric Disease
