As the sunny days beckon us outdoors, buzzing bees and wasps add an element of caution to our summer adventures. In this guide, we'll explore essential tips for preventing and treating bee and wasp stings to ensure a safe and enjoyable season for you and your family.
What does a sting from a wasp and other insects look like?
A wasp sting can cause slight redness and swelling around the sting area which is usually approximately 2-5 cm. This should usually subside after 2 or 3 days. If the sting is around the eye or lips, the swelling may be more extensive and last up to 5 days. For those who are more prone to allergies, the swelling can reach up to 10cm and last up to 10 days. The skin may also be red and itchy.
Stings from bumblebees and hornets can also be quite painful. A bee sting usually has the sting in the wound and they then die, where as a wasp can sting a number of times. Quickly removing the sting can help with preventing inflammation.
What happens and why does the body react this way?
If your child is stung by a bee or wasp, the insect releases poison into the wound. This usually doesn't pose any real threat to children except for some pain.
It can be more serious if the venom goes into the mouth or nose where the poison could go into the bloodstream. Some children have an allergic reaction which can be more severe. Symptoms can include dizziness, fever, sickness, fainting and swelling. If your little one has any of these symptoms then please take your child to a doctor as soon as possible.
What can you do immediately to help with a sting?
Symptoms usually develop within a few minutes but can take up to an hour.
If your child had been stung by a bee you can carefully remove the sting without squeezing the sting area and neutralise the area with liquid soap.
If your child has been stung by a wasp you can neutralise the area with an acid such as lemon juice.
The affected area should also be cooled for approximately 20 minutes to reduce pain.
Note that sucking out the poison after an insect bite is not an effective remedy and is considered more of a myth. Medical experts advise against this as it is unlikely that this method will remove much of the poison. It could also add bacteria to the wound.
Even though stings can cause pain, insects play an essential role in nature. Their pollination work makes the flowers and fruits we enjoy possible. It is important to teach our children the importance of these little creatures and respect their role in the natural world.
