Beet The Bees
Michael Russell
February 01, 2010
Insect bites and bee, wasp, or hornet stings are decidedly unpleasant. Your body may react in one of three ways:
1.
A small itchy welt appears. It swells at the site and becomes sore and red, but discomfort vanishes in a few hours. The wheal heals by itself and poses no threat to your health.
2.
You develop swelling in unrelated parts of the body, a slight cough, confusion, a headache, or systemic reactions. These symptoms, no matter how mild, should be taken as a serious warning that the next bite or sting could be fatal
3.
Dizziness, flushing, hives, cramping, nausea, coughing, and gasping for breath are signs of a life threatening reaction that demands immediate medical care. Don't waste minute!
A Few Precautions However Can Lower Your Chance Of Being A Target:
Wear long sleeves and long pants.
Wear light colored clothes. Insects are attracted to bright colors and prints, black, and rough textured fabrics.
Avoid flashy jewelry.
Avoid perfume, hair spray, all scented drugs and cosmetics.
Don't use insect repellent. The creams and sprays can be toxic to humans.
Don't walk barefoot through the grass or wear shoes without socks.
Avoid areas where stinging insects are likely to be found: flower beds and fields, streams and lakes, garbage sites.
For barbecues and picnics, set out a colorful decoy dish of gooey sweets to draw insects.
When driving, keep car windows closed.
If a critter lands on you, try gentle brushing. Swatting and quick jerky movements can provoke a bee to sting. (A sure way to get stung when a bee lands on you is to jump into water.)
Despite all precautions, you may still be irresistible to an insect. If stung by a bee, remove the stinger (by pinching or scraping) as soon as possible, as it continues to pump venom even after the bee has departed. Then, whether it's a sting or a bite, apply an ice pack immediately. Cold reduces swelling and delays the venom getting into the bloodstream. Elevate the affected extremity, and take an oral antihistamine. If your symptoms seem more complicated or the least bit suspicious, call your doctor.
1.
A small itchy welt appears. It swells at the site and becomes sore and red, but discomfort vanishes in a few hours. The wheal heals by itself and poses no threat to your health.
2.
You develop swelling in unrelated parts of the body, a slight cough, confusion, a headache, or systemic reactions. These symptoms, no matter how mild, should be taken as a serious warning that the next bite or sting could be fatal
3.
Dizziness, flushing, hives, cramping, nausea, coughing, and gasping for breath are signs of a life threatening reaction that demands immediate medical care. Don't waste minute!
A Few Precautions However Can Lower Your Chance Of Being A Target:
Wear long sleeves and long pants.
Wear light colored clothes. Insects are attracted to bright colors and prints, black, and rough textured fabrics.
Avoid flashy jewelry.
Avoid perfume, hair spray, all scented drugs and cosmetics.
Don't use insect repellent. The creams and sprays can be toxic to humans.
Don't walk barefoot through the grass or wear shoes without socks.
Avoid areas where stinging insects are likely to be found: flower beds and fields, streams and lakes, garbage sites.
For barbecues and picnics, set out a colorful decoy dish of gooey sweets to draw insects.
When driving, keep car windows closed.
If a critter lands on you, try gentle brushing. Swatting and quick jerky movements can provoke a bee to sting. (A sure way to get stung when a bee lands on you is to jump into water.)
Despite all precautions, you may still be irresistible to an insect. If stung by a bee, remove the stinger (by pinching or scraping) as soon as possible, as it continues to pump venom even after the bee has departed. Then, whether it's a sting or a bite, apply an ice pack immediately. Cold reduces swelling and delays the venom getting into the bloodstream. Elevate the affected extremity, and take an oral antihistamine. If your symptoms seem more complicated or the least bit suspicious, call your doctor.
Print
Email
