What is Bee Poisoning?

Bee poisoning refers to a serious body reaction to the venom from a bee sting.
Wasps and yellow jackets sting with the same venom, and can cause the same body
reaction.
Usually, bee stings do not cause a serious reaction. However, if you are allergic to
bee stings or have had several bee stings, you may experience a severe reaction
(poisoning). Bee poisoning requires immediate medical attention.
Bee poisoning may also be called apitoxin poisoning or apis virus poisoning;
apitoxin and apis virus are the technical names for bee venom.
Who Is at Risk for Bee Poisoning?
Certain individuals are at a higher risk for bee poisoning than others. Risk factors
for bee poisoning include:
living in an area near active beehives
living in an area where bees are actively pollinating plants
spending lots of time outside
having had a previous allergic reaction to a bee sting
taking certain medications, such as beta blockers
According to the Mayo Clinic, adults are more likely to suffer serious reactions to
bee stings than children (Mayo Clinic).
If you have a known allergy to bee, wasp, or yellow jacket venom, you should
carry a bee sting kit with you when you’re spending time outdoors. This contains a
medication called epinephrine, which treats anaphylaxis—a severe allergic reaction
that could make breathing difficult.
What Are the Symptoms of Bee Poisoning?
Mild symptoms of a bee sting include:
pain or itching at the site of the sting
a white spot where the stinger punctured the skin
redness and slight swelling around the sting
Symptoms of bee poisoning include:
hives
flushed or pale skin
swelling of the throat, face, and lips
headache
dizziness or fainting
nausea and vomiting
abdominal cramping and diarrhea
difficulty breathing or swallowing
decrease in blood pressure
weak and rapid heart rate
loss of consciousness
When to Seek Medical Attention
Most people who have been stung by a bee do not require medical attention.
Monitor any minor symptoms, such as mild swelling and itching. If they do not go
away in a few days or if you begin to experience more severe symptoms, call your
doctor.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as trouble breathing or
difficulty swallowing, call 911. You should also seek medical help if you have a
known allergy to bee stings or if you have had multiple bee stings.
When you call 911, the operator will ask for your age, weight, and symptoms. It is
also helpful to know the type of bee that stung you and when the sting occurred.

First Aid: Treating Bee Stings at Home

Treatment for a bee sting involves removing the stinger and caring for any
symptoms. Treatment techniques include:
removing the stinger using a credit card or tweezers (avoid squeezing the attached
venom sac)
cleaning the area with soap and water
applying ice to ease pain and swelling
applying creams, such as hydrocortisone, which reduce redness and itching
taking an antihistamine, such as Benadryl, for any itching and swelling
If someone you know is experiencing an allergic reaction, immediately call 9-1-1.
While waiting for paramedics to arrive, you can:
check the individual’s airways and breathing
begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary
reassure the individual that help is coming
remove constricting clothing and any jewelry in case of swelling
administer epinephrine if the individual has a bee sting emergency kit
roll the person into the shock position if symptoms of shock are present. This
involves rolling the person onto their back and raising their legs 12 inches above
their body keep the individual warm and comfortable

Medical Treatment
If you need to go to the hospital for bee poisoning, a health care professional will
monitor your vital signs, including your pulse, breathing rate, blood pressure, and
temperature. You will be given medication called epinephrine or adrenaline to treat
the allergic reaction. Other emergency treatment for bee poisoning includes:
oxygen to help you breathe
antihistamines and cortisone to improve breathing
beta antagonists to ease breathing problems
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if your heart stops beating or you stop
breathing
If you have had an allergic reaction to a bee sting, your doctor will prescribe you
an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen®). This should be carried with you at all times
and is used to treat anaphylactic reactions.
Your doctor may also refer you to an allergist. Your allergist may suggest allergy
shots, also known as immunotherapy. This therapy consists of receiving several
shots over a period of time that contain a very small amount of bee venom. This
can help reduce or eliminate your allergic reaction to bee stings.

Bee Poison Prevention

To avoid bee stings:
Do not swat at insects.
Have any hives or nests around your home removed.
Avoid wearing perfume outdoors.
Avoid wearing brightly colored or floral printed clothing outside.
Wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and gloves, when spending
time outdoors.
Walk calmly away from any bees you see.
Be careful when eating or drinking outside.
Keep any outside trash covered.
Keep your windows rolled up when driving.
If you are allergic to bee venom, you should always carry epinephrine with you
and wear a medical I.D. bracelet. Ensure that your friends, family members, and
co-workers know how to use an epinephrine autoinjector.

Written by Janelle Martel

Medically Reviewed by George Krucik, MD
Published on August 15, 2012
Article Sources:
Auerbach, P. S. (2009).Medicine for the outdoors: the essential guide to first aid
and medical emergencies(5th ed.). Philadelphia: Mosby/Elsevier.
Bee Poison. (2011, December 15). National Library of Medicine - National
Institutes of Health. Retrieved June 15, 2012,
fromhttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002847.htm
Bee Stings.(2010, November 23). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved June 15, 2012,
from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bee-stings/DS01067
Insect Bites and Stings. (2010, January 13). National Library of Medicine -
National Institutes of Health. Retrieved June 15, 2012,
from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000033.htm
Most North American snakes aren't poisonous. Some exceptions include the
rattlesnake, coral snake, water moccasin and copperhead. Their bites can be life-
threatening.

Of the poisonous snakes found in North America, all but the coral snake have slit-like
eyes and are known as pit vipers. Their heads are triangular, with a depression (pit)
midway between the eye and nostril on either side of the head.

Other characteristics are unique to certain poisonous snakes:

 Rattlesnakes rattle by shaking the rings at the end of their tails.

 Water moccasins' mouths have a white, cottony lining.
 Coral snakes have red, yellow and black rings along the length of their bodies.
To reduce your risk of snakebite, avoid touching any snake. Instead, back away slowly.
Most snakes avoid people if possible and bite only when threatened or surprised.

If a snake bites you

 Remain calm.
 Immobilize the bitten arm or leg, and stay as quiet as possible to keep the poison
from spreading through your body.
 Remove jewelry before you start to swell.
 Position yourself, if possible, so that the bite is at or below the level of your heart.
 Cleanse the wound, but don't flush it with water, and cover it with a clean, dry
dressing.
 Apply a splint to reduce movement of the affected area, but keep it loose enough so
as not to restrict blood flow.
 Don't use a tourniquet or apply ice.
 Don't cut the wound or attempt to remove the venom.
 Don't drink caffeine or alcohol.
 Don't try to capture the snake, but try to remember its color and shape so you can
describe it, which will help in your treatment.
Call 911 or seek immediate medical attention, especially if the area changes color,
begins to swell or is painful.
 If you know  the snake is not venomous, treat as a puncture wound.

1. Note the Snake's Appearance

 Be ready to describe the snake to emergency staff.

2. Protect the Person

While waiting for medical help:

 Move the person beyond striking distance of the snake.

 Have the person lie down with wound below the heart.
 Keep the person still to keep venom from spreading.
 Cover the wound with loose, sterile bandage.
Do not:

 Cut a bite wound

 Attempt to suck out venom
 Apply tourniquet, ice, or water
 Give the person alcohol or caffeinated drinks

3. Follow Up
If you treat the bite at home:

 Contact a health care provider. The person may need a tetanus shot. Tetanus boosters should
be given every 10 years.
At the hospital, treatment will depend on the type of snake.

 If the snake was venomous, the person will be given anti-venom treatment.
 A tetanus shot may be given, depending on date of last injection.
How to Treat a Centipede Bite
Gazu Lakhotia

How to treat a Centipede Bite To begin with Centipede bites look a lot like a snake bite
with two punctured seen on the area bitten. Centipede bites can be often painful but the
pain is the worst part of the sting. Centipede bites are not toxic but it can be irritating
and swelling can form around the area bitten by the Centipede. If bitten by Centipede
these simple steps can aid in treatment of Centipede bites.

How to treat a Centipede Bite

To begin with Centipede bites look a lot like a snake bite with two punctured seen on
the area bitten. Centipede bites can be often painful but the pain is the worst part of the
sting. Centipede bites are not toxic but it can be irritating and swelling can form around
the area bitten by the Centipede. If bitten by Centipede these simple steps can aid in
treatment of Centipede bites.

• Remember Centipede Bites are non toxic so don’t panic in case bitten by Centipede.
Remain calm and though the sting may hurt it is treatable.

• Use an antiseptic soap and water to wash the area.

• For reduction of the pain use hot compress. In case of swelling use ice pack or cold
compress to ease out the pain.

• In case the pain is severe take ibuprofen to counter the pain.

• Centipede bite can be itchy, use hydrocortisone cream for relieving from Itching
caused by Centipede bite.

• Though it isn’t necessary to take antibiotics for Centipede bite but in case of infection
around the area, consult a pharmacist and take antibiotic capsules.

• Necrosis or tissue death is possible in case of severe Centipede bite but it heals on its
own.

• In case you haven’t taken Tetanus make you to get one in case of Centipede bites.
Symptoms of Centipede Bites

Pain and minor swelling are common symptoms of Centipede Bites and it vanishes with
few hours but in certain cases infection may occur around the bitten area. Besides
infection some sever symptoms of Centipede Bites are:

• Abnormal heart beat commonly known as Heart palpitations. The heart beat can be to
slow or too fast and your consciously aware of the abnormal rate of your heart beat.

• Centipede bites can cause headache, nervousness, anxiety and vomiting.

• Occurance of swelling of lymph nodes.

• Reddening and intense itching can follow up Centipede Bites.

• Necrosis or tissue death is possible in case of severe Centipede Bites.

Children, allergic patients and elderly personal are subject to severe reaction of
Centipede bites and if the victim belongs to the category mentioned above ,the patient
should be immediately taken to a nearby hospital.