#Bumble bee sting images how to

Those whose allergic reactions are severe should ask their doctor or allergist for further information about the treatment. Gradually increasing the dose over about 3 years helps the immune system build up a tolerance to the venom.Ī 2015 review of VIT suggested VIT is an effective treatment for bee sting allergy. VIT involves a course of injections of increasingly high doses of bee venom.

Someone who has had a severe allergic reaction to bee stings, or has other risk factors, can receive a form of this treatment known as venom immunotherapy (VIT).

Long-term treatmentĭesensitization immunotherapy is a treatment designed to reduce a person’s sensitivity to particular allergens. Doing so will help to counteract weakness and dizziness by assisting blood flow to the heart. While waiting for the emergency services to arrive, the person should lay on their back with feet elevated. Although rare, venom anaphylaxis can cause cardiac arrest within 5-10 minutes of being stung. A person with a severe allergy should carry an EpiPen with them at all times.Īnyone experiencing one or more symptoms of anaphylaxis should get to an emergency room as soon as possible, even if they have self-administered epinephrine. Epinephrine temporarily reverses the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. If someone has an epinephrine injection device (EpiPen), they should use it immediately. Doctors may also administer oxygen and intravenous fluids. Severe, systemic reactions require an urgent shot of epinephrine, which will help to reduce the severity of the allergic reaction. Symptoms should subside over the course of a couple of days. Use a cold compress, apply steroid ointments, and take antihistamines to help reduce itchiness and inflammation. Tweezers should not be used to remove a stinger, since squeezing may release more venom. Removing the stinger will limit the amount of venom released into the bloodstream. Treating a mild to moderate reactionĪfter a bee sting, remove the stinger as soon as possible, taking care to avoid squeezing the venom sac. The treatment for bee sting reaction will depend upon the severity of the allergic reaction. The following symptoms of anaphylaxis develop rapidly: In certain individuals, a bee sting can cause anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction requiring emergency medical treatment. If a person experiences a LLR, there is a 5-10% risk that they will develop a systemic allergic reaction to a sting in the future. Symptoms include severe redness around the sting, as well as swelling around the sting, which may gradually increase in size to a diameter of 10 centimeters (cm)or more over a period of 24–48 hours In such cases, the symptoms can take over a week to heal completely. In a person with a moderate bee sting reaction, the body has a stronger response to bee venom, called a large local reaction (LLR). They are limited to the site of the sting itself, and include: The majority of bee sting symptoms are very mild and do not require medical attention. A person can have a mild, moderate, or severe reaction shortly after being stung by a bee. The symptoms of a bee sting vary depending on how allergic the person is. If you have severe reactions to insect bites, consider wearing a MedicAlert bracelet so first responders know about your allergy.Share on Pinterest Redness and swelling characterize a mild reaction.

#Bumble bee sting images how to

Teach friends and family how to use an EpiPen in case of emergency.An EpiPen is only needed if the individual develops anaphylaxis from their allergy to bees.X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source Epinephrine is a chemical that increases the flow of oxygen to the lungs signaling the pumping of more blood, which allows the muscles to relax.This is to be used in severe cases when symptoms are aggressive.Always call 911 after using an EpiPen, even if the individual is feeling better. Swing and push the pen into the thigh until it clicks. To do so, you need to remove the blue safety cap and place the orange tip in the middle of the outer thigh. If their reaction has made them unable to use the EpiPen on themselves someone needs to do it for them. Each individual prescribed an EpiPen is taught how to use it during an allergic reaction. An epinephrine auto-injector is a treatment that must be prescribed by a doctor or allergist. Use an EpiPen for severe allergic reactions.