It took nearly half of the year, but the sun has finally shown its face and given us a properly warm bank holiday weekend. Hopefully, there are plenty more warm days to come, so we’re offering you a little guidance on how to stay safe from bees, wasps and other stinging pests while enjoying the sunshine.
Many stings will only be a minor discomfort, but it’s always worthwhile to follow the following steps in order to minimise the pain and the chance of more serious problems, such as allergic reactions.
Dealing with an insect sting in 3 easy steps
1. Find the insect’s sting on your skin and remove it. It will look like a small needle or spine stuck into your skin, or a black spot if it is buried deeply. When you find it, scrape it gently off your skin with the side of a credit card or a similar hard edge. Do not use tweezers as you may squeeze the venom sack and release more venom from the wound into the body.
2. Elevate and cool for ten minutes. If possible, raise the wounded area in the air and apply an ice pack wrapped in a clean towel or bandage for 10 minutes. If the sting is in the mouth, give an ice cube to suck on, or sips of cold water.
3. Watch for an allergic reaction. If one occurs, seek medical advice, phone 111 or ring an ambulance if the person is in serious danger. Symptoms of allergic reactions include extensive or long-lasting swelling, prolonged, intense pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and difficulty breathing. A pharmacist can help with a mild reaction, while moderate ones with pain, nausea and swelling away from the sting may require a trip to a clinic or emergency room. In case of a severe allergic reaction, get to the emergency room or call an ambulance as soon as possible. You may also check if the person has an epinephrine injection device (EpiPen) and administer it as quickly as possible. An EpiPen is not an alternative to professional medical help though.
4. If you get stung by an insect you can’t identify while you’re abroad, for example, it’s usually best to get the advice of a medical expert.
All that said, don’t worry too much about the little critters. You are more likely to be killed by lightning than by bee or wasp stings. So enjoy the sun and know that you’re even safer now than you were before.
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