User:Mr. Ibrahem/Bee sting

A bee sting is an injury caused by the stinger of a female bee. Symptoms include a sharp pain followed by redness, swelling, and itchiness. Over the next day a blister may form and the area of redness may expand over 3 days. This is generally followed by improvement over hours to days. In more than 90% only a local reaction occurs; while in up to 9% of cases diffuse symptoms occur. Complications may include anaphylaxis. Secondary bacterial infection is uncommon.

Honey bees generally only sting when threatened while the Africanized bee may sing without provocation. Generally a bee is only able to sting once. It is a type of hymenoptera sting, along with wasps, hornets, and fire ants. Diagnosis is based on the history of events.

Prevention includes the use of DEET. Treatment generally involves removing the stinger, simple pain medication, application of cold, and antihistamines. The stinger is best removed by scraping it off with an object such as a credit card. Those with severe reactions may be treated with epinephrine or corticosteroids. In those with a history of severe reactions, venom immunotherapy may be used.

Bee stings are relatively common. Children are more commonly affected than adults. Less than 100 deaths occur a year in the United States due to bee, wasp, and hornet stings; of which 80% occur in males. Bee stings were used by Hippocrates around 400 BCE for claimed health benefits.