Bee Sting First Aid Treatment
People in Perth typically seek knowledge about first aid treatment for bee stings. Many bee species live in the city, and many of them are stinging bees. These bees may be found in different home parts, such as the laundry, garden, brickwork, chimney, and wall spaces. This creates more chances for people to have unexpected bee encounters that may lead to their bee sting misery.
Studies show that people in Perth and throughout Australia are more likely to be hospitalised due to a bee sting. The rate is twice the rate of a spider bite and snake bite. If you are one of these people, knowing the first aid treatment for bee stings may be helpful, which will be discussed below.
What Is a Bee Sting?A bee sting occurs when it uses its stinger, a sharp, barbed, needle-like structure at the rear of its abdomen, to defend itself or its hive. When a bee stings, it injects venom into the skin, which causes pain, swelling, and sometimes an allergic reaction in people.
When a bee stings, its stinger gets stuck in its skin. When the bee flies away, the stinger stays behind, usually causing the bee to die.
Why Do Bees Sting?- Self-defence: If a bee feels threatened or its hive is in danger, it will sting to protect itself and the colony. Bees are particularly protective of their queen and hive, so they may become aggressive if they perceive any potential threat.
- Defence of the Hive: Worker bees guard the hive and its resources, including honey and brood (larvae). Bees defend their territory when someone or something gets too close to the hive.
- When Provoked: Sometimes, bees sting when provoked, such as if you accidentally swat at one or disturb it. They may feel that they are under attack and react by stinging.
What Bees Are Common in Western Australia?In Perth, Western Australia, at least 50 species of bees inhabit the city’s bushland, gardens, parks, and even homes. Below, we will discuss some of these.
Blue-banded BeesAccording to the Western Australian Museum, these bees are said to be the most likely to be seen in Perth. They have a noisy flight, which may be described as alternate hovering and darting. Their physical characteristics are:
- The size is almost the same as honeybees.
- Rotund form.
- Black-and-white-banded abdomen.
Blue-banded bees often visit flowers of many garden ornamentals. Some make shallow nests in sandy soil, and others nest in more complex soils like mud-brick walls. These walls, commonly used in Perth as they’re suitable for the Australian climate, are usually colonised by the blue-banded bees.
Reed Bees Some species of these bees have a red abdomen aside from having the following features:
- Slender body.
- About 8 mm long.
- Yellow patch on their face.
These bees nest inside dead fronds of tree ferns and dry, pithy twigs in plants (like blackberries and raspberries). According to the Rare Fruit Club Organisation, various fruits grow and yield well in Perth.
Blue Banded BeesResearch shows that these bees may be valuable pollinators of greenhouse tomatoes and are described below:
- 8-13 mm long.
- Black abdomen with bluish or whitish stripes.
These bees are usually found darting around the flowers of lavender. These flowers are ideal for growing in Perth as they love the heat and are drought-tolerant. Furthermore, the female bees of this species build nests in shallow burrows in the ground, mud-brick houses, and soft mortar, all of which are common in Perth.
Teddy Bear Bees These bees have the following description:
- 7 to 15 mm long.
- Rotund in shape.
- Has a furry brown colour.
These bees build nests in soft soil and underneath houses. A related species nests in groups of up to 10,000 in arid clay pans and mud flats in Western Australia, where Perth is located.
Leafcutter Bees As their name suggests, these bees make neat circular cuts on the edges of some leaves. They are described as:
- Black in colour.
- Has a triangular-shaped abdomen.
- Whitish or yellowish stripes.
These bees are like the soft leaves of roses, which thrive in Perth and have gorgeous blooms for most of the year.
Resin Bees These bees don’t have a uniform appearance. However, some of their shared physical characteristics are:
- Large black bees that grow up to 14 mm long.
- White tufts of hair.
- Small black bees that are only 8 mm long.
- Bright orange abdomens.
These bees nest in pre-existing holes or gaps in timber or stonework.
Homalictus Bees These bees are known to be one of the smallest among all species. They may be described as:
- Less than 8 mm long.
- It May have varying body colours, such as blue, red, and green.
These bees nest in the ground, wherein many female bees live together.
Masked Bees These bees carry pollen to their nests by swallowing it. They have the following physical distinctions:
- Slender black bees less than 10 mm long.
- They have pale markings on their faces.
- Have a distinctive yellow spot on the thorax.
They usually nest in pithy stems or pre-existing holes in wood.
The Rate of Stinging Bees Among all the native bee species in Australia, only 2% (or less) are stingless, according to Aussie Bee. This means that all the other native bee species can sting. Furthermore, The Guardian has reported that the bee sting rate is twice as high as that of snake and spider bites, even of the dreaded redback spider in Australia. This gives a ratio of 5 hospitalisations for bee stings in every 100,000 Australians. As a result, knowledge about first aid treatment for bee stings has become a rising concern in Perth and Australia.
What are the Early Symptoms of a Bee Sting?When someone gets stung by a bee, the symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the sensitivity to the venom. Here are some of the common early symptoms that might be experienced:
Immediate Pain and Burning SensationRight after a bee sting, people typically feel sharp pain followed by a burning sensation at the site of the sting. This is caused by the venom entering the skin and causing an immediate reaction.
Redness and SwellingA few minutes after being stung, the area around the sting will likely become red and swollen. This is a normal inflammatory response from the immune system as it reacts to the venom.
ItchingItching often accompanies the swelling and redness as the body releases histamines in response to the venom. Though usually mild, it may indicate the sting irritates the skin and triggers an allergic response.
Warmth at the Sting SiteThe area where the stung may feel warm to the touch due to inflammation and increased blood flow. This is a common symptom as the body works to neutralise the venom.
Visible StingerIf the stinger is still lodged in the skin (which happens with honeybees), you may notice it sticking out of the sting site. It is essential to remove it promptly to reduce further venom injection.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While most people experience mild symptoms, there are situations where you need to watch out for more serious reactions, such as:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling around the face or throat
- Dizziness or fainting
- Hives or a rash spreading beyond the sting site
These can be signs of an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and require immediate medical attention.
What is the Bee Sting First Aid Treatment?
Bee stings, like other insect stings and bites, may also be treated with first aid. However, first aid practices differ depending on the severity of the reaction. Reactions may range from local responses in the affected area to more serious reactions.
How to Treat a Bee Sting for Minor Reactions?Below are the first aid steps that may be followed for a minor bee sting reaction:
- Remove the stinger by scraping it off with a fingernail. Do not use tweezers, which may release more bee venom into the wound.
- Wash the part that was stung using soap and water.
- Apply a cold compress such as an ice pack.
A minor bee sting reaction may include instant, sharp burning pain at the sting site and slight swelling around the affected area.
How to Treat a Bee Sting for Moderate Reactions?
Below is the first aid response for a moderation reaction from a bee sting:
- Remove the stinger by scraping it off with a fingernail.
- Wash the part that was stung using soap and water.
- Apply a cold compress.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen if needed.
- Elevate the arm or leg if it’s where the bee stung.
- Apply cream (such as hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion) to ease redness, itching, or swelling.
A moderate reaction from a bee sting may be extreme redness and swelling in the affected area.
How to Treat a Bee Sting for Severe Reactions?Bee stings, such as anaphylaxis, can cause severe allergic reactions in some people. This can also happen to insects, such as yellow jacket stings, centipede bites, wasp stings, and hornet stings. The venom from each of these insects releases enzymes and proteins that affect the skin of the sting or bite site and the immune system.
These anaphylactic reactions may be life-threatening, mainly if first aid is not provided immediately. The first thing to do is look for any signs of an allergic reaction. A bee sting allergy can cause hives, a swollen tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and dizziness.
Any of these can be classified as a severe reaction from the bee venom. If these symptoms are seen, it is time to seek medical attention. In the meantime, while waiting for medical help, take antihistamines and do whatever you can to treat the sting.
How First Aid Courses Can Help With Bee Stings An Epinephrine injection or EpiPen is the first aid treatment for a severe reaction to a bee sting. Part of first aid management is knowing how to correctly administer an Epinephrine Injection or act immediately in case of anaphylactic shock.
Apart from using an EpiPen, a first aid course can teach you essential skills such as the DRSABCD emergency plan, which includes resuscitation, handling anaphylaxis, using an automated external defibrillator, and much more.
With the right skills and knowledge in first aid, you can save a casualty from a bee sting. You can learn life-saving abilities by enrolling in a first aid course at 123C Colin St West Perth 6005.
Conclusion There are many species of bees in Perth, and most of them are stinging bees. Since they nest in common areas or parts of houses, they are more likely to encounter humans. This results in a high rate of bee sting incidents and hospitalisations in Perth and Australia. Bee stings may be treated with first aid, and the response varies depending on the reaction.
The severe reaction from a bee sting may be anaphylaxis, which may impose risks to the life of a stung person. Especially if first aid treatment for bee stings is not done immediately. Learn how to deliver the correct first aid response by enrolling in a first aid course |
