Stings – Insects

A Sting is when an insect injects its own fluid into the skin of a person and it causes either swelling or allergies, either locally or throughout the body. Stings are often harmless. First stings are usually painful and lead to swelling around the part that has been stung. It is not harmful and hazardous but at times it may spread to an allergy and affect the immune system. This allergy happens only if the person is susceptible to allergies, otherwise only a second sting can trigger an allergy.

Stings often affect only the region around the part that has been stung. At times it is seen that the sting might spread and cause an allergic reaction. Allergy like the anaphylactic shock is said to be critical and research says that it affects only 3 people in a 100, thus showing that this allergy is very rare .It is caused only when the person is stung by a wasp insect. An insect sting injects venom into the skin and is like a defence mechanism.

Symptoms of Insect stings

The most common symptom of a sting is to check if there is any difference in the skin around the part that has been stung. Usually in case of a sting the region around the sting will swell up, itch, will be painful or will change colours, often to red. If the sting causes only swelling then the reaction will last for around 48 hours ,however if the sting has caused An allergy then the swelling will remain for a longer period of time.

Repeated episodes of stinging can cause a more severe reaction to the person as it involves the injection of venom plenty of times into the skin. Many repeated stinging can be by one insect or more.

Medical help is required without delay after a person had been stung and is experiencing symptoms like

• The swelling of the mouth or face
• Nausea
• Headache
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Heart beat more than the normal
• Wheezing

Causes of Insect stings

Insect’s sting is a sting that is a warning by the insects to the person in situations where they have been disturbed. The stings hold as a defence mechanism and are not harmful but are momentarily itchy and painful. They require medical treatment only in cases of allergies usually caused by insects like the bees and wasps.

Treatment of Insect stings

An insect sting can be treated professionally or through other methods depending on the severity of the sting.

When an individual is stung, one should immediately remove the sting that has been injected into the skin; this can be done with a set of tweezers or with your own fingers. Precautions must be taken while removing the sting, not to let it spread or in the case of a bees sting, not to break the venomous sac. A bee’s sting has venom in a sac and utmost care must be taken not to pierce it while removing the sting.

To treat the sting by oneself you must follow the following points:

• To avoid any swelling, raise the part of the body that has been stung
• Wash the area of the sting with water and soap immediately
• Do not scratch
• Local anaesthetic and antihistamine lotions and creams may be used to avoid swelling and also from an itching sensation
• Placing a cold fennel on the area may also help reduce the itching and swelling.

Medical or professional help is required if the redness and itching of the sting does not go away even after 48 hours. An immunologists or professional at an allergic clinic is where treatment will be undertaken for a sting. However venom immunotherapy treatment is also given by a General Physician. This treatment makes sure that the individual is desensitized and completely cured of allergies through injecting small doses of venom on a regular basis.

In situations where the individual after encountering a sting has wheezing and has difficulty swallowing and also has swelling or itching in other parts of the body, professional medical help is immediately required. In these kinds of circumstances the patient will be given oxygen, an intravenous drip and an adrenaline injection.

Prevention of Insect stings

To prevent oneself from being stung by an insect one must keep a few guidelines in mind. These guidelines are-
Clothing-wear full sleeves, long trousers, shoes and socks to cover the skin that is usually shown. Do not wear strong perfume, lotion or bright coloured clothes as it all attracts insects.
Closed doors-close the doors and windows of your house and car to avoid the insects from entering.
Be calm-when a person encounters insects, he should not react in a drastic manner but rather should be calm, not move his arms and silently move away.
Avoid-bunch of flowers, piles of wood and insect nests should not be disturbed and should be avoided as these are places where insects are found.
Insect repellent-When a person spends more time outdoors, especially in areas where there are many insects; an insect repellent must be used.
Cover eatables-cover food, particularly sweet items.