How to help a person who has been bitten by a wasp or a bee? The Ministry of Health published a special memo in which he told what to do with the bites of stinging insects - in addition to bees and wasps, they also include bumblebees, hornets, and gadflies.
Experts from the department report that even one bite of such an insect in a few minutes can lead to death if a person suffers from allergies. 500 bites can lead to the death of a person who is not prone to an allergic reaction, although there are cases with lucky ones who survived even after 2000.
Doctors say that the less time passes before the development of symptoms, the worse the prognosis. The reaction usually occurs within minutes (up to an hour). There may be short-term pain, redness around the bite, itching, fever. Redness of the skin, the appearance of urticaria, limited swelling of the lips, tongue, sore throat, shortness of breath, abdominal cramps, diarrhea should alert the victim - these are alarming symptoms. The threatening signs of doctors include a grayish-bluish skin color, convulsions, loss of consciousness and inability to breathe due to swelling of the airways. It is because of this edema, when a person cannot breathe, that 40-60% of deaths occur. Doctors are advised to people prone to allergies, just in case, to wear a medical bracelet or necklace, which would indicate their possible reaction to bites. For them, bites in the eye or mouth, as well as multiple insect bites, are especially dangerous. For others who do not suffer from allergies, bites in the throat are a danger - for example, if they swallowed an insect that got into food or inhaled a wasp that flew too close to their open mouth. In this case, swelling of the airways can also occur.
To provide first aid to victims of stinging insects, specialists of the Ministry of Health advise as follows.
- Examine the bite site and make sure that there is no sting left in the skin. It can only remain after a bee sting. If necessary, remove the sting, because poison continues to be released from it within 2-3 minutes after the bite. Pry the sting with a fingernail or a knife blade, scissors - do not squeeze the end of the sting protruding above the skin with your fingers.
- Wash the bite with soap and water or wipe with alcohol.
- Apply an ice pack for 15-20 minutes to slow absorption of the venom and reduce pain.
- Take analgesics (paracetamol) to reduce pain and itching. This is usually sufficient.
- The bite site can be lubricated with an ointment or cream containing corticosteroid hormones (hydrocortisone) to relieve itching and swelling. With early use, antihistamines (Diphenhydramine, Suprastin, Claritin) can eliminate local symptoms.
- Observe the condition of the victim for at least 30 minutes, paying attention to the development of signs of an allergic reaction. A victim who is prone to allergies can be given Prednisolone or other antihistamines. But doctors warn that antihistamine tablets are best taken as a preventive measure—they act too slowly to help with a life-threatening allergic reaction. Adrenaline can help severe allergy sufferers (without a severe allergic reaction, it cannot be administered with bites) - the drug does not last long, so if necessary it is administered every 15 minutes, monitoring the patient's condition and recurring signs of an anaphylactic reaction.
With the advent of heat, the activity of insects increases sharply: they wake up from hibernation, leave their shelters. It was during this period that the number of people seeking help from medical institutions for insect bites increased. The most common pests are representatives of the order Hymenoptera.
We will talk about the dangers of bee and wasp stings, how to provide first aid and prevent complications. And the photos and videos in this article will help you figure it out better.
Like all other insects, bees and wasps are highly organized creatures, they will never attack first. This is a defensive reaction and you need to try to get stung.
First of all, wasps and bees attack if there is a real threat to their nest. Insects also react to sudden and sweeping movements (for bees and wasps, this is a sign of danger).
Insects are attracted by persistent specific odors (perfume, sweat, alcohol), fruit trees and bushes, food, water, bright colors. That is why beekeepers never approach the beehives in a state of intoxication, do not use perfume, do not wear clothes of saturated colors.
What is wasp and bee venom
Everyone knows that there is a difference between a bee sting and a wasp sting. When a bee stings you, it loses its sting, and as a result, it dies. And wasps can hurt you more than once. But this is not the only difference. These insects have a poison of different chemical composition.
Near the sting of insects are special glands that produce poison. It accumulates in a special tank, which is very small in volume. During a bite, the contents of the capsule are injected through the sting into the skin of the victim.
Despite the almost identical painful sensations that arise in this case, insect venoms differ in their chemical parameters: wasp venom has an alkaline reaction, bee venom has an acidic reaction. The body's response to both poisons will be the same - an increased production of histamine begins - a substance that is key in the development of allergic reactions.
Due to the different structure of poisons, there is an opinion that the discomfort from wasp stings can be neutralized with acidic solutions (for example, vinegar), and from bees - with soap.
Clinical picture of bites
Stings of bees and wasps appear the same. They can only be distinguished by the presence of a sting at the site of injury. It is also believed that wasps sting more painfully. But this is a rather subjective criterion, since the pain threshold for all people is different. The clinical picture depends on the general reactivity of the organism, the site of the bite and their number.
Typical manifestations of bee and wasp stings are local symptoms, such as:
- Pain and burning.
- Itching.
- Redness.
- Edema.
- Local rise in temperature.
- Sometimes a small punctate rash is attached near the bite site.
People from risk groups are more difficult to tolerate contact with wasps and bees: children, pregnant women and the elderly (read more). In such people, fever may be added to the above symptoms. In individuals with a burdened allergic history, a second bite may develop a special clinical condition - anaphylactic shock.
This is an immediate type of reaction. Due to a sharp massive release of histamine and serotonin, the permeability of the walls of blood vessels increases, edema of the mucous membranes and tissues develops, microcirculation in the capillaries is disturbed, blood accumulates in small vessels, and blood circulation in vital organs worsens.
The clinical picture of anaphylactic shock is as follows:
- loss of consciousness due to insufficient blood supply to the brain;
- a sharp decrease in blood pressure;
- an increase in heart rate up to ventricular fibrillation;
- shortness of breath, shortness of breath due to swelling of the mucous membrane and spasm of the muscles of the respiratory tract;
- sometimes there may be convulsions, involuntary urination and defecation.
Deterioration of well-being develops in a matter of minutes and, if medical assistance is not provided, can lead to death. It should be noted that bites to the face and neck also carry a great danger.
Close proximity to large blood vessels, loose subcutaneous fat contribute to the development of edema and the occurrence of anaphylactic shock, even in people with a normal immune response. Also, more than 5 bites in children and more than 10 in adults are considered deadly.
How to help the victim?
First aid for a wasp or bee sting should be provided immediately, as this reduces the risk of complications.
Initially, it is necessary to inspect the site of damage for the presence of a sting. If it is there, it must be carefully removed. You should not rush, because during the extraction process, the tip of the sting may remain in the wound and cause suppuration.
Very often, during first aid, they try to squeeze out poison from the bite site. This will not help reduce the amount of toxins, but will only cause more irritation to the wound. This mistake should not be repeated!
First aid for bee and wasp stings is to eliminate or reduce discomfort, prevent the development of infection and anaphylaxis. After removing the sting, the bite site should be treated with any antiseptic solution (alcohol, chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide). A cold compress or ice pack can help relieve pain and reduce swelling. Cold causes vasospasm, which slows down the spread of poison in the body.
Also, topical agents will help reduce pain and swelling:
- Hormonal ("Fenkarol", "Prednisolone", 1% hydrocortisone ointment).
- With the content of local anesthetics ("Prilocaine", "Lidocaine") or menthol.
To relieve itching at the site of the bite, topical agents with diphenhydramine - Fenistil, Psilo-balm - are suitable. "Bepanten", "Panthenol" have healing properties.
Persons with a burdened allergic history, in addition to local treatment, should take any antihistamine drug ("Diazolin", "Suprastin"). When using these drugs, you should be guided by the instructions for use.
First aid for a child with a bee or wasp sting
If a child is bitten by a bee, in no case should you panic. The provision of pre-hospital care is no different from that of adults, except that children under 12 years of age should be limited to local treatment only. They should not be given oral antihistamines. Only a doctor can prescribe such medicines to a child.
Folk methods
In our country, folk methods of treating bee and wasp stings are widely used. They can also help relieve pain, reduce itching and swelling.
Consider the most popular of them:
- Apply a compress of crushed plantain leaves, yarrow, aloe juice or dandelion roots.
- Rub the bite with a fresh onion.
- Rinse the wound with a decoction of parsley, a solution of soda or salt.
You should not resort to folk remedies in people at risk (children, pregnant women, allergies), as this can worsen their condition!
First aid for anaphylactic shock
In case of symptoms of shock (loss of consciousness, sweating, increased heart rate, pressure drop, shortness of breath, etc.), you should urgently call an ambulance, since it is impossible to cope with this condition without a doctor or paramedic.
What can you do before the ambulance arrives?
Prior to the arrival of doctors, if possible, stop the flow of the allergen into the blood (cold compress), provide the person with air flow (free from tight clothing), lay him down and turn his head to one side to prevent asphyxia due to retraction of the tongue or aspiration by vomit.
In the event of cardiac arrest, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation immediately! Pressing on the chest alternates with the inhalation of air into the lungs of the victim (30 presses - 2 breaths). Resuscitation may be carried out by one or two rescuers.
If a person has already experienced an allergic reaction to a sting of bees and wasps, his medicine cabinet may contain injectable drugs for the relief of anaphylactic shock - adrenaline and dexamethasone. If there are any, and the person providing first aid has the skill of intramuscular injection, these drugs should be administered immediately.
The medicine can be injected into the buttock, the front of the thigh, or the back of the shoulder. Do not inject more than one ampoule of each drug. A solution of adrenaline can also be used to puncture the bite site. This will cause vasospasm and slow down the absorption of toxins into the blood.
When to call an ambulance
There are cases when you can not do without qualified medical care, since the development of complications is very difficult to predict.
An ambulance should be called in such situations:
- bite of a pregnant woman or a child under 6 years old;
- multiple bites (more than 5 in children and 10 in adults);
- bites in the face and neck;
- worsening condition after local treatment;
- the development of a clinical picture of anaphylactic shock or the occurrence of Quincke's edema (swelling of the subcutaneous fat of the face and neck).
Remember that the price of delay is human life! It is better to call an ambulance before the start of medical assistance.
Prevention
To avoid unpleasant encounters with bees and wasps, you should know some rules. The following instructions will help you prevent the bites of these insects.
- The best way to avoid being stung by bees and wasps is to stay away from their habitats. In no case should you destroy the nests of these insects, as there is a chance of falling under the wrath of a whole swarm. In the apiary, special clothing should be used.
- Avoid walking barefoot on the grass, as you may accidentally step on a bee collecting nectar.
- Insects are attracted to the smell of food, perfume and alcohol. Therefore, walks in nature are best done in a sober state. By the way, alcohol increases vascular permeability. This can cause more pronounced swelling after the bite.
- If, nevertheless, you are in the field of view of a wasp or bee, you should not brush it off with your hands, as this can cause even more aggression in the insect.
Prevention can also be attributed to the presence of a first aid kit, with everything necessary for first aid - antiseptic solutions (alcohol, hydrogen peroxide), dressings, antiallergic drugs, heart medications (validol, corvalol, nitroglycerin). Those who have an allergy or a predisposition to it should have glucocorticoids and adrenaline with them.
Among acute poisonings with poisons of biological origin, poisonings as a result of insect bites - bees, wasps, hornets, ticks - are relatively common, especially with the onset of spring and summer, when many of us go on vacation to the forest, to the lake or to the mountains. Often, people themselves provoke this behavior by getting insect bites on the skin. This is especially true for bees, wasps and hornets.
Due to the high content of physiologically active components in it, bee venom can cause acute intoxication, especially in cases of increased sensitivity of the body to it.
The effect of the poison depends on several factors:
- From his dose;
- Localizations;
- individual sensitivity.
Apitoxin has a detrimental effect on the state of cardiac activity, affects metabolism, nervous and endocrine systems. Pregnant and menstruating women are very difficult to tolerate intoxication. Often there are cases of acute allergic reactions, such as Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock. When stinging a blood vessel, even a single one, the reaction is instantaneous and pronounced.
Scale of poisonousness from the number of bites:
- A one-time bite of up to 5 bees is a local reaction of the body;
- One-time sting of 10-20 bees - local plus general resorptive manifestations;
- One-time sting of 20-50 bees - the phenomena of severe intoxication;
- A single sting of more than 100 bees is death.
Clinical manifestations with bites
Can be divided into 2 large groups:
Local:
- Sharp, burning pain at the site of the bite;
- Increasing acute swelling of nearby tissues, reaching its maximum development in 10-15 minutes;
- Regional lymphadenitis (inflammation of the lymph nodes adjacent to the site of the bite).
Single bites end in complete recovery after 24-48 hours.
General toxic:
- Dizziness;
- Weakness;
- Chills;
- The phenomenon of urticaria;
- Convulsive contractions of the muscles of the face and limbs;
- Dyspnea,
- Feeling of tightness in the chest;
- Nausea;
- Vomit;
- liquid stool,
- Increase in body temperature.
It is not excluded the appearance of a coma and collapse. An allergy to a bee sting is also quite common. Apitoxin can cause damage to parenchymal organs and paralysis of the respiratory center. Bee stings are especially difficult to tolerate in the region of the tongue and pharynx. Clinical symptoms are increasing every minute. Swelling of the larynx and pharynx develops with the threat of asphyxia, which in the future can lead to death.
If the person turns red or has trouble breathing, call an ambulance. The consequences can be very serious, even fatal.
First aid
What does an insect look like
- Examine the bite site. It usually looks like a papule rising above the skin, in the center of which there is a sting. If the sting is not visible, then you may have been bitten by a wasp or the sting is inside the wound.
- Remove the sting of the bee. The sting includes poisonous glands, a poisonous vesicle, and a nerve node. For this reason, the sting is removed with tweezers or a needle treated with alcohol or any antiseptic so that the poison does not squeeze out into the tissue.
When a bee stings, DO NOT PULL the stinger out.
Never do this! If you start squeezing out the sting, then the poison that is still in the sac can enter your body.
- After removal, the wound is treated with chlorhexidine or any skin antiseptic.
- Apply cold to the bite site (wet towel, a piece of ice in a sterile napkin);
- Attach a piece of cloth soaked in a solution of soda to the wound (1 teaspoon per glass of water);
- You can treat the bite site with Fenistil ointment. It is also recommended to drink any antihistamine drug (suprastin, tavegil, zodak, zirtek).
Another remedy for a bee sting is to apply baking soda to the sting site. She really helps. Mix baking soda with water until a thick paste forms and apply as soon as possible. "When you bite, you get acid, and if you apply baking soda as quickly as you can, it neutralizes that acid," says Stephen Purcell, MD, chairman of the dermatology department at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. If you don't have baking soda, dry the affected area and rub it with aspirin; Aspirin can help relieve swelling, pain, and inflammation.
With the development of general toxic phenomena, a pastel regimen and a doctor's consultation are indicated. If after 24-48 hours the inflammation at the site of the bite has not decreased, general toxic symptoms increase, then you should immediately seek medical help. You can read about that in our article.
female ticks
With the onset of spring, ticks are activated in nature. To date, the tick bite is in first place in popularity, among all insect bites. And this issue must be approached very seriously, since an almost painless bite can lead to serious health consequences and even become a threat to life.
Diseases carried by ticks and their symptoms:
The tick is a carrier of such dangerous diseases as:
- Tick-borne encephalitis- an infectious disease with damage mainly to the brain and spinal cord of an adult or a child. Causes severe intoxication and affects the central nervous system. If therapeutic measures are not started in time, it can lead to paralysis or death.
Manifestations:
- Chills;
- Fever;
- Headache;
- muscle weakness;
- In severe form, involvement in the process of the disease of the central nervous system (meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis).
- Lyme disease- an infectious disease with a primary lesion of the skin, nervous and cardiovascular systems. May be asymptomatic for up to six months. Often takes chronic forms.
- A red spot around the bite with clearly defined edges may appear within six months after the bite;
- Fever;
- Neck stiffness;
- Lethargy, fatigue.
- spotted fever- leads to severe brain damage (encephalitis), and also affects the liver, almost the heart. Leads to fatal consequences.
- Sudden rise in temperature
- Strong headache,
- The rash is usually many tiny, flat, purple or red spots (petechial rash). Starts at the wrists and ankles, then spreads to the arms, legs and the rest of the body.
- Tularemia is a rare, highly contagious infectious disease with a potential fatal outcome. It can be treated with antibiotics only in the first hours after detection in the blood.
- An increase in temperature to critical numbers;
- Ulcer at the site of the bite;
- swollen glands near the affected area;
- Nausea, vomiting.
- relapsing fever - an infectious disease that occurs against the background of a wave-like rise in temperature up to 4 episodes during the course of the disease.
These diseases can be transmitted through direct contact with the tick itself, or after eating food from an infected animal.
The detection of a sucked tick on a human body is, of course, the very first and most important sign of a bite.
The tick bite itself is painless. This in most cases leads to the fact that a person does not immediately notice the insect. Some time after a tick bite on the body, you can feel itching and burning at the site of the introduction of the tick.
There may also be slight redness and swelling. After a few hours, headache, weakness, lethargy, and allergic reactions may appear. This is especially noticeable in people with various chronic diseases, children, and the elderly.
How to recognize a tick
The most common affected areas:
- Earlobe;
- axillary area;
- inguinal zone;
- Under the shoulder blade;
- In the chest area;
- Hairy part of the head.
After a tick attack, body temperature should be measured and recorded for 10 days. If a symptom such as fever appears in the period from the second to the tenth day after the bite, this indicates that an infectious process has begun in the human body. The key symptom of an encephalitic tick bite in humans is undulating fever. With these symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Human actions when bitten
How to remove a tick yourself
If you notice a tick stuck on yourself, do not panic.
2. An easy way to remove a tick with a thread. We take a dense thread and put it on the tick. The thread is tightened at the proboscis, then gently twisted. Slowly pull the tick out of the bite.
Rules for capturing a tick with tweezers
First aid
Necessary:
What to do with a tick
Prevention measures:
Remember! The tick never attacks suddenly. In search of a place of attachment, it can wander on the human body for up to 3 hours. So take good care of yourself and your loved ones. In the forest, wear long sleeves and cuffs, rubber boots that tuck into long pants. Lubricate exposed areas of the body with special creams or deodorants. If you notice the first symptoms after a tick bite, contact your doctor immediately.
Animals bite, and, not only wild, but also domestic. Yes, if you were bitten by your own cat or hamster, then, as a rule, you should not worry. Do not forget that pets bite not out of anger, but during the game, from excitement or too much love for the owner. Naturally, if you were bitten by your beloved alabai, almost chopping off your hand, then you should take the necessary measures. We have already talked about first aid for snake bites in another article, here we will touch on a slightly different plane of the issue.
But in general, cause for concern any bite can serve if the skin is damaged and there is bleeding, even if it is small. Again, if your pet spends time outdoors, contact with infected animals is possible. Then, when bitten, it is better to play it safe, since one of the reasons for the attack on the owner may be rabies.
Pro wild or stray animals and there is nothing to say - they live on the street, eat what they find, and on their teeth they have a whole bunch of a wide variety of bacteria. Try to avoid contact with stray dogs, in no case, do not try to pet a wild animal that you met - rabies-infected animals themselves seek contact with a person, therefore, you should not go towards a fox, friendly running towards you from the forest. The problem of wild animals in the fact that rabies among them spreads with astonishing speed, because it does not meet any obstacles. Yes, in especially difficult situations, quarantine is introduced in the area of infection, however, this does not negate the fact that any wild or homeless animal can be sick with rabies.
Signs of rabies in dogs
Rabies has one interesting feature. It gradually develops as it approaches from the bite site to the brain. In other words, if you are bitten in the leg, then the course of the disease will be quite long. Symptoms in this case will appear and increase gradually. If it is in the neck, then you need to go to the hospital as soon as possible, since the virus will reach the brain as quickly as possible. The same rule applies to animals. If your pet has been bitten on the neck, contact your veterinarian immediately. Well, if by the tail - then, consider that you have some margin of time.
In the early stages Determining the presence of a disease in a dog is quite difficult, but possible. She becomes restless, agitated, then she starts running away from home, swallowing objects. She may be vomiting. In the last stages, the dog begins to throw without barking and she has profuse salivation. Contrary to popular belief, a pet may not be afraid of water during an illness.
First aid for animal bites
So, what should be done with animal bites? Let's take a closer look.
- First of all, the wound must be washed. To do this, you can use ordinary water, but, of course, a soapy solution is better.
- At first, it is better not to stop the bleeding, since it, to some extent, removes the saliva of the animal. Of course, if the bleeding is severe, then it makes sense to press it a little with a tourniquet or belt to avoid blood loss.
- Treat the site of damage with an antiseptic. For example, iodine, potassium permanganate, alcohol, and even vodka, depending on what you have at hand.
- Cover the wound with a bandage, preferably sterile. But, if there is none, then just a clean cloth will do.
- Get the victim to the hospital as quickly as possible. They will provide qualified assistance and check whether the infection has occurred.
Every child loves the summer season, because on hot days you can go with your parents to nature, a summer house, take a walk along the alleys of the park with sweet ice cream or cotton wool. However, summer is loved not only by kids, but also by stinging and biting insects, which pose a serious threat to children.
In the forest, “bloodthirsty” mosquitoes and midges are waiting for the baby, in the clearing there are businesslike bees and bumblebees, and in the city - a wasp that loves sweet foods. By the way, a small child suffers a wasp sting much harder than a bee attack.
In any case, it is extremely important to know what to do if the child is bitten by mosquitoes, midges, bees and other insects.
Competent first aid, provided on time, will alleviate pain and prevent the development of allergies.
Mosquitoes and midges are the most common insects in central Russia that suck human blood. In the summer, they deliver a lot of inconvenience to children and adults.
The common feature of these "enemies of man" is as follows: before starting the "meal", they try to introduce saliva through the proboscis into the skin, which contains anticoagulants - compounds that prevent blood clotting.
However, in our country, a mosquito bite rarely causes any illness, much more often the site of a mosquito “attack” itches so badly that a child is able to infect.
Signs of an insect bite are a reddened small area of skin, slight swelling and severe itching. Usually, after a couple of days, these symptoms disappear, and the skin takes on its former appearance.
An allergy to a mosquito bite and other blood-sucking insects rarely develops and is not as strong as to an injection of stinging insects - bees and wasps. The signs of an emerging allergy in children are as follows:
- swelling of the skin at the site of the bite;
- elevated temperature;
- headache;
- severe itching;
- vomit.
Very rarely, hypersensitivity to blood-sucking insect bites can lead to allergies such as hives, bronchospasm, or anaphylactic shock.
If the child was bitten by a midge, then the sensations are much more painful. The fact is that, unlike mosquitoes, which pierce the upper layer of the skin with their proboscis, small midges bite out part of the skin. As a result, the bite site swells and swells much more.
So, since in our climatic zone the most unpleasant results of an attack by a mosquito “flock” or a smaller midge are itching and swelling, special medications or medical assistance are usually not required.
But what to do if the child was bitten by mosquitoes? First aid for biting blood-sucking insects looks very simple:
- Ordinary medical or ammonia, any alcohol-containing lotions or ordinary cool water can help the baby get rid of itching.
- If you need to remove puffiness after a mosquito bite, then it is better to make a gruel from baking soda and boiled water. Such compresses should be applied to the place of edema.
- To avoid infection of the wound, it is necessary to treat it with any antiseptic - brilliant green, hydrogen peroxide, the same alcohol.
If the child has been bitten by a midge, then you can additionally apply a cold compress to reduce itching and swelling. In addition, it is allowed to lubricate the swelling with ordinary ice cubes.
The younger the child, the more pronounced his reaction to insect bites. In this case, it is better to get by with traditional medicine recipes, and not immediately stuff children with potent drugs. Experts recommend using the following tools that have been proven for decades:
- if the skin at the bite site is very itchy, lubricate it with tomato juice;
- parsley (or rather, its gruel) is another popular folk remedy for mosquito bites;
- mint toothpaste can help with itching and unbearable burning;
- rub the swelling with a raw potato or onion;
- if your finger or ear is swollen, try smearing it with sour cream or yogurt;
- to help children after a midge bite, make a lotion from the ground leaves of plantain, dandelion;
- help the baby and various essential extracts, for example, tea tree oil, which, when applied to the skin, relieves inflammation, kills bacteria and heals wounds;
- Balm Asterisk helps relieve itching and reduce the discomfort of mosquito bites.
In some situations, parsley and other folk remedies do not help relieve swelling and swelling of the skin. In this case, you will need a medical preparation, for example, Rescuer ointment and Boro plus cream. They include thermal water and various elements that help speedy healing of wounds.
So, the most popular drugs that can help the ambassador of mosquito bites:
- Fenistil gel;
- cream Boro plus;
- ointment Rescuer;
- Fenistil;
- Fladex;
- Baby Garden.
Each drug is considered safe enough for the child, but before using them, you should consult a doctor for advice. It is the doctor who will decide which ointment is suitable for an early age crumb.
It should be understood that with severe edema and severe allergies, only a hormonal gel can help.
Dr. Komarovsky advises, in the absence of allergies, to limit yourself to the usual cold compress, ordinary parsley can also help. If the allergy has begun, then the choice of remedy depends on its severity. The most common drug is Fenistil gel. Komarovsky also recommends taking the baby to the hospital if he has previously been diagnosed with allergic reactions.
Stinging insects such as the bumblebee, bee, or wasp release venom when attacked, which is usually not safe for children. However, if the baby has an allergy, then a wasp sting poses a serious danger to his health and even life.
Hypersensitivity reactions most often appear immediately after a bee attack. With multiple bites, allergies are very pronounced.
The bite site swells, dizziness occurs, fever, vomiting and swelling of the larynx begin. The latter is especially dangerous because suffocation is possible.
Experts distinguish the following characteristic signs that develop after the bites of a bee, bumblebee, wasp and other stinging insects:
- sharp painful sensations;
- the bitten place begins to swell, which is extremely dangerous, especially if a bee, wasp, bumblebee has stuck a sting into the head and neck of the child;
- redness of the skin;
- headache;
- gagging;
- heat;
- chest pains.
The sting of a bee resembles a jagged spear, which is why these insects can only sting once. But the wasp and the bumblebee are able to attack as many times as they like. However, bees, bumblebees, and other stinging insects attack only when they sense danger.
Do not forget that the sting of a wasp is experienced by a child much more painfully than the sting of a bee or a bumblebee. That is why first aid to the baby should be provided as soon as possible, although it is best to consult a doctor at the first attacks of bees.
What can parents do to help their child? First aid for stings of bees, bumblebees consists of the following urgent measures:
- Take out the sting that was left after the bee attack. This must be done very carefully, for example, with tweezers. Do not squeeze the wound with your fingers, as the effect of the poison will only intensify.
- Although the wasp and bumblebee do not leave their weapons in the wound, their stings, like the sting of a bee, are dangerous by infection. That is why the skin must be washed with soapy water and then treated with an antiseptic.
- Since the venom of a bee, bumblebee or wasp is alkaline, it can be neutralized with lemon juice or acetylsalicylic acid. Doing this is quite simple - squeeze a little lemon on the bite or pour the powder of a crushed aspirin tablet.
- Parsley can also help if a wasp sting causes severe pain to the baby. Grind the greens of the plant and apply to your finger if it is swollen. Parsley relieves swelling and reduces pain.
- Most likely, you can not do without anti-allergic pills. If a child is allergic to bee or bumblebee venom, it is necessary to give the child a drug allowed at his age as soon as possible. Doctor Komarovsky also speaks about this.
In addition, you should know what not to do with the bites of bees, bumblebees and other stinging insects. Even if the finger is swollen, you should not apply earth to it. Such a tool will not relieve pain and swelling, but it will easily infect the infection.
Most often, medications are designed to eliminate allergies or prevent allergic reactions.
Of course, after a bee attack, it is better to see a doctor, but in some situations you have to do everything very quickly, especially if the wasp sting hit your neck.
First aid may include taking the following general antihistamines:
- Suprastin;
- Erius;
- Zyrtec.
In addition, ointments and gels are also used for topical application. It is necessary to smear these drugs in accordance with the instructions, without exceeding the recommended age dosages.
Many experts, including Dr. Komarovsky, recommend the following local preparations after bee stings, bumblebees and other stinging insects:
- Advantan;
- Fenkarol;
- ointment Boro plus;
- gel Rescuer;
- hydrocortisone ointment.
Medicinal herbs can also help, for example, if only a finger is swollen. For example, parsley, plantain relieve inflammation well and destroy microbes if the infection process has begun.
When should you see a doctor?
If the child does not have an allergy, then you can do it on your own, since the edema after an insect attack disappears after 2-3 days. However, in some cases, a visit to a doctor and even an ambulance is mandatory. For example:
- traces of bee or bumblebee stings are on the face;
- the child was stung by several insects;
- swollen throat after a bee sting in the neck;
- traces of intoxication appeared - nausea, fever,.
If bees, bumblebees or wasps have stung a baby under three months old, it is imperative to contact an ambulance and this should be done immediately, and not after the appearance of any symptoms on the face or body. Allergies can develop suddenly, which is fraught with swelling of the larynx and death.
Medical first aid is aimed at emergency intervention, which involves an injection with an antihistamine to enhance the effect of active substances. In especially severe cases, a hormonal injection is also needed, which will relieve swelling.
It should be understood that the bite of bees and wasps is much easier to prevent than to treat. For example, a trap for wasps is useful in the country. This device helps to significantly reduce the number of stinging insects. A wasp trap is available at any gardening store, but you can also make your own.
In addition, the mosquito net will prevent mosquito bites, and if you spread the baby with special products, then blood-sucking insects will not stick to it.
And to help your child in case of an allergy, be sure to get a first aid kit that will store the well-known preparations Boro plus or Rescuer. They will provide significant assistance in case of bee or bumblebee stings.
Hello, I'm Nadezhda Plotnikova. Having successfully studied at SUSU as a special psychologist, she devoted several years to working with children with developmental problems and advising parents on raising children. I apply the experience gained, among other things, in the creation of psychological articles. Of course, by no means do I pretend to be the ultimate truth, but I hope that my articles will help dear readers deal with any difficulties.
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