2000

'Tis the Season to be Stung: Physicians Offer Tips to Treat and Prevent Bee Stings

CINCINNATI -- Stings from bees, wasps and other flying insects are greatest in number in late summer and early fall, when insect populations are at their height. Although most stings pose no threat to the vast majority of children, a bee sting can result in an allergic reaction that may be life-threatening for some children. Emergency Medicine physicians at Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati offer these tips for treating and preventing stings.


If Your Child is Stung



  • Only a bee leaves a stinger behind. Other flying insects, such as yellowjackets and wasps, keep their stinger. If stung by a bee, carefully remove the stinger as soon as possible. Do not pinch or squeeze the stinger. This will release more toxin into the skin. If possible, use the side of a credit card, or remove the stinger gently with your fingers.



  • Wash the area with soap and water and apply cold compresses or ice to reduce the swelling. Over-the-counter antihistamines such as Benadryl" are available to help relieve the discomfort and itching at the site, which can continue to swell, itch and become red for 24-48 hours after the sting.

When to Seek Medical Help


If your child begins to have trouble breathing after the sting, or your child's tongue begins to swell, a call to 911 is recommended. Otherwise, call a doctor if:



  • Your child becomes dizzy, light-headed or faints.



  • Hives (welts which are not painful) appear around the sting.



  • Your child develops severe headaches, nausea, stomach cramps or diarrhea within a few hours after the sting.



  • Your child begins to run a fever or the sting area becomes extremely tender to the touch after a few days.

Prevention



  • If you know your child has a history of allergic reactions to insect stings, you should carry an emergency kit. Adrenalin is used in emergencies to prevent a serious reaction immediately after a bee sting and is available by physician prescription in a special, easy-to-use form.



  • Be sure all babysitters and teachers know of your child's allergy and how to treat it.



  • Around your home, it is important to frequently clean garbage cans and to properly dispose of decaying fruit and other foods that are attractive to bees and wasps.

Contact Information

Jim Feuer, jfeuer@chmcc.org, 513-636-4656