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Bees and Wasps

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As the weather warms up and children have more outdoor activities, picnics and games, children have a greater chance of getting stung by bees and wasps. Bees, wasps, and hornets all belong to the same insect family. Their venoms are quite similar. Therefore, the first aid treatment and precautions for them are likewise similar.

The stinger of a bee remains in the skin following the sting. With a bee sting you will see swelling, redness and pain. In the center of a bee sting you see a small black dot, which is the stinger. The stinger must be removed carefully to avoid putting more venom into the sting site. If you look closely with a magnifying glass you may see a small sac of venom attached to the stinger. If you use your fingers to simply pull out the stinger you will compress the sac and inject any venom remaining in it. One good method of removing the stinger is to use the edge of a credit card and gently flick the stinger from the site. This should dislodge the stinger without compressing the venom sac.

Once the stinger has been removed, you may apply a paste made with water and baking soda . This will relieve the pain caused by the venom. Ice can also be applied to the site to relieve discomfort.

If a child is allergic to bee stings, there are precautions and preparations that should be made. The physician might recommend keeping an epinephrine injector on site and available at all times. These injectors are potentially hazardous if not used correctly. Parents are responsible for providing written permission and instructing caregivers in the use of the injector.

Wasp stings are quite similar to bee stings. The main difference is that there is no stinger left in the sting site, and the reaction tends to be worse.

Call 9-1-1 if the child starts to have a severe reaction to a bee or wasp sting. A severe reaction is characterized by:

• Swelling involving the face or any area not adjacent to the sting site, or
  
• Swelling of the face or difficulty breathing.
  
• Hives, paleness, weakness, nausea, vomiting or collapse.

The above could signal a medical emergency, and the child would need immediate treatment.

Submitted by Family Connections Resource and Referral, Sheboygan, WI