Bee poison

Home treatment:

The best treatment is prevention where possible. For those who have an allergy to bee, wasp, or yellow jacket stings, it is important to carry a bee sting kit (which requires a prescription) and become familiar with its use.

Remove the stinger if still present by scraping a blunt object across the stinger. Do not use tweezers, which may squeeze the venom sac and increase the amount of venom released.

Place ice (wrapped in a washcloth or other suitable covering) on the site of the sting for 10 minutes and then off for 10 minutes. Repeat this process. If patient has circulatory problems, decrease the time to prevent possible damage to the skin.

After a sting, call Poison Control or a hospital emergency room for guidance if the person has an allergy to the insect. It may be necessary to go to the hospital if the reaction is severe.

Before calling emergency:

Determine the following information:

• the patient's age, weight, and condition
• the type of insect, if possible
• the time stung

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses.

If possible, bring the insect to the emergency room for identification.

What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Give several medications (orally or by injection).
• Establish and maintain the airway if needed.
• Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

If an allergic reaction occurs, death may occur within 1 hour. The sooner appropriate treatment is implemented the more likely a positive outcome. In nonallergic patients symptoms are likely to resolve completely within 1 week.