Globusz^® Publishing 

“The main of life is composed of small incidents and petty occurrences; of wishes for objects not remote; of insect vexations which sting us and fly away, impertinences which buzz a while about us, and are heard no more . . . .”
– Samuel Johnson: The Rambler No.68

pring and summer mean lush foliage, sunshine, flowers and . . . The Sting.

If you work or play in fields and gardens, bees, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets buzz around loaded with nuisance, pain, and sometimes danger.

Bites and stings, for the most part, are only an annoyance and rarely cause more than slight, temporary discomfort. Either allergic mechanisms or sensitivity to certain chemicals, toxins, or enzymes in the venom causes the reactions to insect stings. Occasionally, these reactions can be fatal in sensitive individuals. Insect sting allergy has been recognized since antiquity. Hieroglyphics on the wall of the tomb of King Menes in Egypt record his death, in 2621 BCE, from a wasp or hornet sting. And today, there are more deaths in the United States from insect stings than from snakebites. Fortunately, mosquitoes cannot transmit HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

The honeybee and yellow jacket are responsible for most stings. Although they may similar appearances, these two insects have very different habits. The honeybee is a social insect that uses a stinger to inject venom into its victim. A yellow jacket is a wasp that can both bite and sting. The honeybee usually does not sting unless disturbed, but when sufficiently provoked to attack, it leaves its barbed stinger and attached venom sac in the skin of its victim.

It is often impossible to know when exposure to the responsible insect occurred, since skin reactions may not develop for as long as nine days. The simple, normal sting, the one you are most likely to encounter, causes varying degrees of pain at the site of the sting lasting for a few minutes. Redness, swelling, and itching of the area follow. If no complications arise, all traces of the sting will usually disappear within a few hours.

In the exaggerated type of local reaction, there is more itching and swelling. The symptoms may last longer, and there may be a great deal of discomfort.

The treatment for most insect bites and stings is the same. In the case of a honeybee sting, however, you must remove the barbed stinger and attached venom sac as quickly as possible, as the walls of the sac contract and continue to inject venom. (Bumblebees, by the way, do not have barbed stingers, and thus may sting repeatedly.)

Never try to pull the stinger out or squeeze the area in which the stinger is embedded. This will break the venom sac, releasing more of the toxic or allergic substances and aggravating your symptoms. Instead, gently scrape the area with a knife blade or fingernail until the stinger and sac have been dislodged.

After you remove the stinger and venom sac, follow these steps to treat the simple insect sting:

• Wash the area with soap and water.

• Use ice packs or cold compresses for 30 to 45 minutes to reduce the inflammation and swelling.

• Apply a paste made up of one teaspoonful of unseasoned meat tenderizer and water. This often results in prompt, lasting relief.

• Treat any hives and itching by applying Caladryl Lotion or Cort-Aid Cream every 3 or 4 hours.

• If severe swelling, itching, and pain persist, call your doctor. You may need an antihistamine or cortisone-like drug to counteract the bee venom.

• If you are stung on your foot or leg, elevate it and keep it at rest.

Insects are somewhat discriminating, so follow these steps to make yourself less of a target for bites and stings.

• Always wear shoes outside. Bare feet are the most vulnerable areas for insect attacks. (Bees love clover and yellow jackets live in the ground.)

• Avoid scented soaps, perfumes, colognes, hair sprays, and other scented products. These odors attract insects.

• Don’t eat outdoors when bees are nearby.

• Since insects are attracted to carbon dioxide, do as little talking as possible at outdoor parties!

• Wear light-colored, smooth fabrics. Bright, flowery prints and dark, rough clothing attract insects as well. And avoid wearing blue.

• Avoid bright jewelry and other metal objects. Again, insects find these very alluring.

• If you come into contact with a stinging insect, avoid sudden and dramatic motions. Move away very slowly and do not flap, wave, or swat.

• Avoid touching insect nests. Honeybees usually attack people who disturb their colony.

• Keep house screens in good repair.

• Avoid stacking firewood and compost heaps against the house.

• Keep garbage cans covered at all times.

• Keep backyards clear of junk such as old tires and cans that can trap water and serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

• Be especially alert after rain; pollen is scarce and insects become more easily excited.

A bit of trivia: Only the female mosquito bites; the males couldn’t care less. Why? Because the females need warm blood for the development and maturation of their young. Mosquitoes are twice as attractive to the color blue as to any other color and prefer warm body parts to cold ones. They avoid menstruating women. They can beat their wings up to 600 times a second that is responsible for the high-pitched hum we hear. And their activity increases more than 500 percent in the light of a full moon.

A word on insect repellents: Insect repellents are not insecticides. They do not kill mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, fleas, or the many varieties of biting flies. They just discourage them from biting you. And they do not work against stinging insects like bees, wasps, or ants.

To prevent against mosquito and fly bites, use insect repellents on exposed parts of your body and on your clothing. Do not use repellents on broken skin and be particularly careful when applying them on children. Pregnant women should not use them at any time. And since the active ingredient is flammable, do not apply them near fires.

For further information about insect bites, log on to www.aad.org 1-888-462-DERM x22

RECAP

• There are more deaths in the United States from insect stings than from snakebites.

• In the case of a honeybee sting, never try to pull the stinger out or squeeze the area in which the stinger is embedded. This will break the venom sac, releasing more of the toxic or allergic substances and aggravating your symptoms.

• Always wear shoes outside. Bare feet are the most vulnerable areas for insect attacks. (Bees love clover and yellow jackets live in the ground.)

TREATING BITES & STINGS

For a few, localized insect bites, where there is redness, swelling, and itching, the best immediate treatment is applying ice. An ice cube, held on the bite areas for 5 to 10 minutes, will usually give prompt relief of the pain, itching, and swelling.

Another good "home remedy" is the application of a paste made up of one teaspoonful of unseasoned meat tenderizer and a few drops of water. Applying this to the bite or sting may provide immediate relief.

Other preparations that can give relief of the itching associated with insect bites include the following:
Cort-Aid Cream
Phenolated Calamine Lotion
Campho-Phenique Liquid or Gel
Directions for use are on the labels.

To relieve prolonged itching of insect bites, take either of the following antihistamines every 3 or 4 hours:
Chlor-Trimeton Tablets
Benadryl
See directions and cautions on the labels for proper dosage.

If none of the above remedies relieves your symptoms, call your doctor.