Bee stings can be uncomfortable and sometimes even life-threatening. Symptoms can start within minutes or take a few hours to appear, Hefezopf and they can include itching, redness, swelling and breathing difficulty.
The first aid treatment to use is an ice pack, which can help to reduce swelling and pain. It can also be useful for preventing infection and helping with wound healing, according to researchers.
Another common at-home treatment is to use an aspirin paste on the sting. However, a 2003 study found that this didn’t work well and that it could actually cause pain and increase redness.
An antihistamine may be helpful to alleviate the itching and discomfort of a bee sting. It works by stopping receptors that are activated when bee venom invades tissue. This helps prevent the capillaries from leaking fluid and swelling, and reduces itching.
Honey is another natural remedy that can be helpful for a variety of insect bites and stings. Manuka honey, in particular, has been shown to reduce inflammation and aid in healing.
If you’re stung by a bee or wasp and are allergic to their venom, your doctor can prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector. These can be used to treat anaphylactic reactions and should be carried with you at all times in case of emergency.
Depending on the severity of the allergy, your doctor may recommend an allergy test. One type of test uses a skin patch test that contains purified, freeze-dried venom. This is a more sensitive test than a blood test and can alert your doctor to the presence of a bee sting allergy.
Allergy shots, which contain very small amounts of bee venom and are given over time, can help relieve symptoms of bee sting allergy. These shots can be taken several times each week, or every other week.
Other treatments for bee sting allergy include a sting-resistance program called VIT (venom immunotherapy). This involves receiving multiple injections of bee venom over a period of time to build up your immune system’s tolerance.
Your doctor may refer you to an allergist for more serious cases of bee sting allergy. They can also prescribe an epinephrine pen, such as EpiPen, which can be used to treat life-threatening allergic reactions.
Some people with severe allergies to bee stings develop a rash or itching around the site of the sting. These reactions are called anaphylactic shock and usually require hospitalization.
The rash or itching is caused by a reaction to the proteins in the bee venom that are present in the body’s cells. Specifically, the proteins act like enzymes that dissolve the cement that holds body cells together or perforate the walls of those cells.
These proteins are also known to destroy cells, which leads to the formation of white blood cells that can cause swelling and other symptoms. In some cases, the venom can lead to a serious condition called immune thrombocytopenia. This can happen when an individual has been stung by several different types of bees or wasps at the same time.