What are the reactions to a bite?
The usual local reaction is the result of the action of the insect's venom and saliva: acute pain, redness, swelling up to several centimeters, itching. It goes away in one to two days and is not associated with allergies. A large local reaction is swelling of more than 10 centimeters, which increases within a day and lasts up to a week; It is allergic, but not life-threatening. The systemic reaction begins minutes after the bite and affects organs far from the bite site: the skin of the entire body, the respiratory tract, the heart and blood vessels, and the gastrointestinal tract. This is what is called anaphylaxis.
- Typical local reaction: up to several centimeters, 1–2 days
- Large local reaction: more than 10 cm, up to a week
- Systemic reaction: urticaria throughout the body, edema, shortness of breath
- Anaphylaxis develops within minutes
- Toxic reaction due to multiple bites
Who bites and why is it dangerous?
Severe allergic reactions are most often caused by Hymenoptera: bees, wasps, hornets and bumblebees. A bee leaves a sting with a poisonous sac; a wasp and a hornet can sting repeatedly. Mosquitoes, midges and horseflies mainly cause local reactions with severe itching; systemic reactions are rare. Particularly dangerous are bites in the mouth, tongue and neck, where even normal swelling makes breathing difficult, and multiple bites, in which the dose of poison becomes toxic regardless of the allergy.
- Bees, wasps, hornets, bumblebees are the main culprits of anaphylaxis
- A bee leaves a stinger, a wasp stings repeatedly
- Mosquitoes and midges more often give a local reaction
- Bites to the mouth and neck are dangerous due to swelling of the respiratory tract
- More than 10–20 bites at the same time is a toxic dose
First aid
The sting is removed as quickly as possible, moving it with the edge of a card or a fingernail, rather than squeezing it out with tweezers, so as not to release the rest of the poison. The area is washed with soap and water and cold is applied for 15–20 minutes: this reduces pain and swelling. The limbs are given an elevated position, rings and bracelets are removed. For severe itching, antihistamines help; for large local edema, the doctor may prescribe a short course of hormonal medications. Traditional methods such as applying soil or urine are unacceptable: they increase the risk of infection.
- Quickly remove the sting with a sliding motion
- Wash with soap and water
- Apply cold for 15–20 minutes
- Remove rings and jewelry from the bitten limb
- Take an antihistamine for itching
- Do not apply soil or scratch the bite area
What to do if you have anaphylaxis
If, after a bite, hives appear throughout the body, swelling of the face and lips, hoarseness, shortness of breath, dizziness or weakness, you should immediately call for help by calling 103. The person is placed with his legs elevated, if there is difficulty breathing, he is seated, and if he is vomiting, he is turned on his side. The only first-line drug for anaphylaxis is adrenaline, which is injected intramuscularly into the outer thigh; For people who have suffered a systemic reaction, the doctor prescribes an auto-injector in advance. Antihistamines and hormonal drugs do not replace adrenaline. Even after improvement, observation in the hospital is necessary.
- Call 103 for help
- Lay with legs elevated; if shortness of breath occurs, sit up
- Inject doctor-prescribed adrenaline into the thigh
- Do not give drink and do not leave the person alone
- Observation in hospital even after improvement
- Carry an auto-injector with you at all times
Examination and prevention
After a systemic reaction, an allergist confirms the diagnosis using a test for specific IgE to bee and wasp venom or skin tests, which are performed no earlier than a few weeks after the episode. For confirmed allergies to hymenoptera venom, allergen-specific immunotherapy is effective: it significantly reduces the risk of a severe reaction with repeated bites. At the same time, they are taught the rules of behavior in nature and always carry prescribed medications with you. It is useful for people with such allergies to have a diagnosis card with them.
- Specific IgE to bee and wasp venom
- Skin tests with an allergist
- Immunotherapy with Hymenoptera venom
- Don't eat sweets or fruits outside without a lid on your drink
- Do not walk barefoot on the grass, do not wave your arms at insects
- Carry an auto-injector and a diagnosis card