Insect bites and stings

An insect bite is a defensive action by armed with a poisonous sting insects, mostly hymenoptera such as bees, wasps and hornets, ants and rare. In this case, the enemy is injected with a poisonous sting secretion under the skin. It may be the immediate defense response of a single insect, but also the response to a collective threat to the nesting site.

Normally, the body reacts to the sting venom of these insects, with a small group of susceptible individuals is beyond the risk of an allergic reaction.

Note: In Stitches by blood-sucking insects is not discussed in this article, see it directly in the articles on mosquitoes, horseflies, fleas and bed bugs.

Direct Bite

The sting venom of bees and wasps causes pain and itching in the later stages as well as a ( with allergies sometimes serious ) swelling, which subsides after a few days. This can last up to five or six days, on the second or third day, the reaction to occur. The effect is dependent on the injection site and the amount of poison, so that the reaction can be very different. When a wasp sting of ( tolerable ) pain can be, for example, after a few minutes after strong.

The venom of bees and wasps, but also of hornets or bumblebees is dangerous only when several hundred stitches. For allergy sufferers, however, can result in life-threatening reactions, a single bite. To a significant allergic reaction General, which can be potentially life threatening, it can be estimated at about 0.4 to 0.8 % of children and about 3 % of adults come.

Allergic reaction

If a person is sensitized by previous stings ( insect venom allergy) can be produced by the toxin even a single stitch an allergic (anaphylactic ) reaction to be triggered. The spectrum ranges from a localized skin reaction (redness, swelling, hives) of mild systemic reactions (nausea, headache, large-scale skin reactions) and respiratory distress leading to life- threatening anaphylactic shock. An anaphylactic reaction can occur very rapidly under certain circumstances. Allergic reactions occur 10 minutes to 5 hours after the bite, but almost always within the first hour on.

Treatment

First measure with bee stings is the immediate removal of the spine and immediate cooling.

Concentrated heat may help against wasps, bees and mosquito bites, as a study of a manufacturer without a control group suggests. This one of a microchip controlled bite healer is pressed on the affected area. This produces 51 degrees Celsius for a few seconds. The complaints go after this treatment back quickly.

In allergic reactions, treatment with the appropriate medication ( antihistamines, corticosteroids, adrenaline) is necessary for a strong anaphylaxis as emergency medical treatment. Risk persons can an emergency kit, especially one adrenaline -filled syringe, carry with them. Permanently can reduce the risk by immunotherapy, which, however, takes three to five years, be reduced. By precautions, the random risk can be reduced. These include the failure of aggressive movements and the avoidance of blossoms, fallen fruit, sweet drinks, meadows and Others

Sting at the sting site

After removal of the spike