| Honey bees attack people in two instances, when | | | | - Prefer light-colored clothing. Avoid wearing bright |
| they feel their hive is attacked or when they | | | | colored clothes as bees are attracted to them. |
| themselves are threatened. When a honey bee | | | | - Bees are attracted to flowery perfumes. Hence, |
| attacks, it lodges its barbed sting into the victim's | | | | avoid wearing deodorants, colognes, perfumes with |
| skin. A normal reaction involves swelling, redness, pain | | | | floral scents when entering into a bee or wasp |
| at the site. However, if the person has bee sting | | | | colony |
| allergy, the reaction is severe and it can even lead to | | | | - If bee hives are around your place, make sure they |
| death. In fact, about 40 to 50 people die from bee | | | | are removed |
| sting allergies, every year in the United States | | | | - Avoid leaving food outdoors and close the dustbins, |
| Symptoms of Bee Sting Allergies: | | | | as bees are attracted to food |
| If a person with bee sting allergies is stung, the hives | | | | Bee Sting Allergy Testing: |
| would not be localized it but moves to other parts of | | | | An allergist can determine if you have bee sting |
| the body. Following are the symptoms of bee sting | | | | allergy by conducting allergy tests. Blood tests ( |
| allergy: | | | | RAST) and skin tests are used to test for bee sting |
| - Red, itchy hives which spread beyond the sting to | | | | allergy. |
| other areas of the body | | | | Bee Sting Allergy Treatment: |
| - Swelling of lips, mouth and throat | | | | To prevent the progression of anaphylaxis one |
| - Itchy, watery eyes and runny nose | | | | should use epinephrine. Self-injectable epinephrine such |
| Bee sting allergy can progress to anaphylaxis which is | | | | as Epi-Pen can be used by the victim. Epinephrine |
| life threatening. The symptoms of anaphylaxis are | | | | should be carried all the time to avoid an anaphylactic |
| low blood pressure, breathlessness, difficulty | | | | reaction |
| swallowing, dizziness etc. To stop the anaphylactic | | | | Venom immunotherapy or allergy shots are long-term |
| reaction, Epinephrine should be injected to the victim. | | | | treatment option for those with bee allergies. This |
| First Aid for Bee Sting: | | | | treatment involves administering minute amounts of |
| Persons who are allergic to bee stings should | | | | allergen over a period of time. Gradually, the person |
| immediately be administered epinephrine to prevent | | | | would overcome bee allergies |
| anaphylaxis and they should seek medical help. | | | | Medic-Alert bracelets could be worn by those who |
| It is also important to remove the stinger out of the | | | | have bee sting allergies. This bracelet identifies the |
| skin by scraping it or by flicking it. Avoid squeezing or | | | | medical condition, allergies and enables the doctors to |
| pulling out the stinger. Apply cold compresses to the | | | | give proper treatment |
| sting site for relief. | | | | Getting yourself tested for bee allergies is the first |
| How to Avoid Being Stung? | | | | step in overcoming them. Bee sting allergies are very |
| If a person is allergic to bee sting, it is very important | | | | dangerous and those who have this condition should |
| to take steps to avoid being stung. Here are a few | | | | carry a self-injectable epinephrine all the time. |
| tips: | | | | |