Bee Sting - Symptoms and Treatment

Introduction

A bee sting causes pain and discomfort in the injured site. Female honeybees produce bee venom (apitoxin or honeybee venom) as a part of self-defense. Bee venom consists of allergens, which are responsible for skin irritation and swelling. After infection, the bee sting must be removed immediately to reduce the allergic response. In the majority of cases, no specific treatment is needed for bee stings. However, some people develop accelerated responses and need further medical assistance to reduce inflammation.

What Is a Bee Sting?

Bee sting refers to a small painful wound from the sting of a bee. Bee stings and insect bites differ from each other due to significant chemical variations in the toxins (venom) that are delivered through the wound during an insect bite. Bee sting venom will cause pain and irritation in the body. Most people immediately experience pain and swelling in relation to the sting site after the injury. People who are allergic to the chemical components present in bee sting venom will develop allergic reactions after injury. A life-threatening allergic response may occur in rare cases. It will cause nausea, tongue swelling, breathing difficulty, and unconsciousness and requires emergency medical treatment.

What Are the Chemicals Present in Bee Stings?

Honeybees produce bee venom (apitoxin) as an essential weapon for self-defense. They are produced in the poison glands present inside the abdominal cavity. It is a normal liquid, bitter, yellow in color, and pungent. Female bees inject this venom using their stings. It is not present in male bees. Bee venom is a complex chemical made up of various proteins, enzymes, and peptides.

The important components of bee venom include:

• Histamine.

• Phospholipase A2.

• Mast cell degranulating peptide (MCD).

• Apamin.

• Hyaluronidase.

• Acid phosphatase.

Among these components, acid phosphatase, hyaluronidase, and phospholipase A2 are responsible for the allergic reaction after bee stings. Histamine and apamin are responsible for the itching pain after the injury.

What Are the Symptoms Associated With Bee Stings?

Bee stings can result in temporary pain, swelling, and allergic reactions. It depends on the body's response to the allergens present in the bee venom. People who are allergic to the chemical substances present in bee sting venom will develop life-threatening allergic responses. Based on the severity of responses, symptoms can be divided into three categories.

It includes:

1. Mild Reaction - The majority of people develop a mild response after a bee sting, and it resolves within a few hours. It consists of the following responses:

• Burning pain at the sting site.

• Redness around the sting site.

• Small swelling around the sting site.

2. Moderate Reaction - Some people develop a stronger reaction toward allergens. It will be resolved within a few days after the injury. The symptoms include:

• Extreme redness around the area of injury.

• Swelling beyond the area of sting injury.

• Swelling gradually increases its size.

3. Severe Allergic Reaction - Severe allergic response (anaphylaxis) after bee stings is dangerous and life-threatening and needs emergency medical management. Only a small section of people develops an anaphylactic response after bee stings. It includes:

• Anxiety and restlessness.

• Nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting.

• Rapid pulse.

• Breathing difficulty.

• Loss of consciousness.

• Swellings in the mouth (tongue, throat, face).

• Wheezing.

• Red, itchy rash (hive).

• Rashes that spread to other areas near the injured skin.

What Are the Treatment Options for Bee Stings?

Treatment options for bee stings depend on the severity of the reaction. For mild to moderate reactions after the injury, no specific treatment is needed. The anaphylactic reaction needs emergency medical management. Thus, treatment options for bee stings can be categorized based on the allergic response.

It includes:

1. Treatment for Minor Reactions.

• Remove the stinger from the skin surface as soon as possible.

• Wash the area with water and soap continuously for a few minutes.

• Apply a cold press or ice pack on the affected area to reduce swelling.

2. Treatment for Moderate Reactions.

• Remove the stringer from the injured area as soon as possible.

• Wash the area using water and soap.

• Apply an ice pack or cold press to the affected area.

• Apply calamine lotion or hydrocortisone to reduce discomfort, redness, and itching.

• Oral antihistamines can be used to reduce itching and irritation.

• In case of severe, unbearable pain, painkillers can also be used.

3. Treatment for Severe Allergic Response (anaphylaxis).

• Oxygen therapy to overcome and assist breathing issues.

• Epinephrine is given to reduce the allergic reaction to the allergens present in the bee venom.

• Intravenous antihistamines like Promethazine and Diphenhydramine can be used to reduce allergic reactions.

• Intravenous corticosteroids can be given to lower the immune system response and reduce the allergic side effects.

What Are the Home Remedies Used for Bee Stings?

Pain, swelling, and redness that develop around the site of the sting injury will usually go away without any specific treatment in a few days. However, certain home remedies can be used on the injured area to reduce the redness and discomfort.

It includes the following:

• Aloe Vera Gel - It is obtained from the aloe vera plant and has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Applying aloe vera gel to the sting site will help to reduce irritation and swelling.

• Honey - Applying honey to the injured area will help to reduce inflammation and promote healing.

• Baking Soda - A mixture of baking soda and water has been used for the treatment of bee stings for a very long time. There is no scientific evidence for the effect of baking soda in neutralizing bee venom and reducing inflammation.

• Apple Cider Vinegar - People use acid cider vinegar to neutralize bee venom and lower inflammation even though there is no clinical data proving the same.

• Essential Oils - They are naturally occurring plant oils used for wound healing. Essential oils like rosemary oil, tea tree oil, thyme oil, and lavender oil can be applied to the sting site after diluting with a carrier oil like olive oil.

Conclusion

A bee sting will cause painful, small reddish swelling and skin irritation. In most cases, these allergic reactions will subside without any specific medical treatment. Removal of the bee sting and thorough washing with water and soap must be done after a sting injury. Skin smoothening agents like calamine lotion and essential oils can be applied to the skin to reduce redness and irritation. In rare cases, they will develop a severe allergic response to bee venom and require emergency medical management.