It’s summer again, time to relax by the lake! But summer also means the return of the little flying creatures that can sometimes play tricks on you: bees and wasps. Put your hand or foot in the wrong place and you’ll be stung. In this article, we give you all the advice and tips you need to know what to do in the event of a bee or wasp sting.
Precautions to take
Before you embark on your summer adventures, it’s important to be aware of a few precautions you can take to avoid bee stings. First of all, dress appropriately. Avoid wearing bright colours, as this attracts bees (they’ll probably think you’re a pretty flower🌷). You should also avoid perfumes or scented products, as again, they will want to come to you.
If you’re in an area where there are lots of bees or wasps, the watchword is to keep calm. Gesticulating or trying to chase them away will put the insects into ‘defence’ mode. This increases the risk of them stinging you. Also, remember to wear shoes to avoid stepping on one.
This goes without saying, but if you’re allergic, don’t forget to keep your epinephrine auto-injector handy.
What should you do if you are stung by a bee or wasp?
All the precautions have been taken, but you still end up with a bee or wasp sting, so what should you do? First of all, you need to check that the sting is not stuck in your skin. Bees lose their stinger after stinging, and the venom sac is attached to it. Removing it minimises the risk of infection.
To do this, use your fingernail or a credit card. You can then try to push the sting out of your skin. Avoid using tweezers, as you risk rupturing the venom sac in your wound (and that hurts).
The venom is thermolabile, which means it is sensitive to heat. Moving the bite closer to a source of heat can prevent the venom from dispersing. This could be a warm to slightly hot compress, for example. Bringing the end of a lit cigarette close to the bite also works well, but be careful not to burn yourself!
Then clean the bite area with water and mild soap or disinfectant.
⚠️ If you have any signs of an allergic reaction, difficulty breathing, severe swelling or dizziness, consult a health professional immediately or go to a pharmacy. Emergency number: 144.
And what about the next day?
In general, the pain and redness disappear after a few hours. However, the area may swell and become red or even painful. This is not serious, but it can be unpleasant.
To relieve the pain, you can apply a heat pack or ice to the sting. Rubbing an onion can also help, as it contains ammonium, which neutralises the venom! And don’t hesitate to go to your nearest pharmacy for advice. The pharmacist can suggest a cream to apply to the sting to relieve it, or antihistamines to reduce the redness and swelling.
However, you should seek medical advice if the swelling increases over the days or if there is pus. This could mean that the bite has become infected and needs to be treated.
