Bee stings: how to recognize if I am allergic and what to do

Getting bitten by bee This is something that could happen to anyone. In most cases the consequences do not get worse and remain an unpleasant memory, but when people are allergic These stings can be dangerous and even fatal.

This is what happened to German Mora . The therapist, 46 years old, He died on January 7 in the town of Vilches, Maule region, after being stung by a bee and suffering anaphylactic shock.

That day, Germán was at a campsite spending a day at the pool with his grandson. Everything was normal until one of these insects injected its venom into his skin. Within minutes his condition worsened and when the ambulance arrived nothing could be done. Despite their efforts, they were unable to resuscitate him.

When temperatures rise in spring and summer, Bees increase their activity because that is when there are more flowers to collect pollen or nectar.

Since many people increase their outdoor exposure at this time, when visiting swimming pools or natural areas, bites become more common than the rest of the year.

Generally, these pollinators do not act aggressively. In reality, it is when they feel threatened, when they are alone or in their nest, that they defend themselves by attacking and depositing their venom (called apitoxin).

If you think you may be allergic, there is a test that can help you identify it, called IgE (specific immunoglobulin) and that This is done using a blood sample taken from each person’s arm.

Another way to determine this is to skin tests , where a tiny amount of bee venom is injected into the arm. If the patient is allergic, the area will appear swollen and red. The two options can be used in a complementary manner.

The venom from a bee sting can cause symptoms ranging from mild to severe. According to Mayo Clinic When it comes to a mild allergic reaction, people feel shooting pain, redness and slight swelling in the injured area .

“If it stings my arm, I would expect there to be a red area of ​​about two to three centimeters. But if instead of this demarcated lesion I have an increase in volume of the entire extremity, with a lot of itching and pain, it is possible to indirectly suspect that I am allergic to the bite of this insect. Ricardo González, emergency doctor at Clínica Alemana, tells La Tercera.

When it is a serious allergic reaction – called anaphylaxis – symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, inflammation of the tongue, dizziness and vomiting appear. In the worst case, a anaphylactic shock where there is a drop in blood pressure and that can end up being fatal.

The time it takes for symptoms to appear is almost instantaneous. “If I am allergic and I am exposed to bee sting venom, my response will be immediate, so it can take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes to exhibit a reaction of any kind,” emphasizes González.

It should be noted that patients who have had an allergic reaction in the past after receiving bee venom are more likely to experience the same, or even worse, reaction in the future after suffering another sting.

For this reason, it is essential that these people always have with them a prevention method that can save them from emergencies: an epinephrine (adrenaline) auto-injector a medicine that reduces the body’s anaphylactic response and must be indicated by a doctor.

According to the emergency doctor at Clínica Alemana, deaths from bee stings are not recurrent.

“It will all depend on where it happens and how quickly you get to a health center. “If the patient has a known allergy to these stings, has a history of anaphylactic shock, is far from a healthcare center or does not bring their epinephrine, the risk of death increases.” it is said.

The criteria for responding after suffering this harm will depend on each case. The first thing is to move away from the area where the insect is hovering and very carefully extract the stinger from the skin, for this you can use your nail or a blunt object like a card.

Another important step is to wash the affected bite area with soap and water, then apply a cold cloth or ice. In the following days, there is no need to scratch.

For those who have already had a serious allergic reaction to stings, it can be crucial to act quickly to prevent the more dangerous effects from occurring.

If symptoms of anaphylaxis begin to appear, the patient should use epinephrine and immediately call an ambulance or go to the nearest emergency room, in order to be under the supervision of medical professionals.

When going outdoors, you can also take certain precautions to avoid being bitten by these insects, such as:

• Stay away from areas where bees, honeycombs or nests are concentrated.
• Avoid going near areas where there are many flowers.
• Carefully shake clothing, shoes and seats outside.
• Do not disturb the bees, do not scare them or try to kill them.
• Wear sandals in areas with lots of grass or near the pool, instead of going barefoot.