1 / 11

Bee Stings!

Bee Stings!. Coping with Bee Stings Normal and Allergic Reactions. If you work with bees,…. there is one certainty – you will be stung. Even despite the very best defenses, you will be stung: Bee stings can have a variety of consequences that must be taken seriously.

eshe
Download Presentation

Bee Stings!

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Bee Stings! Coping with Bee Stings Normal and Allergic Reactions

  2. If you work with bees,… • there is one certainty – you will be stung. • Even despite the very best defenses, you will be stung: • Bee stings can have a variety of consequences that must be taken seriously. • Consider the sad story of Don Weakman, Peoria.

  3. Reactions to Bee Stings • Three major types of reactions: • Mild local reactions. • Strong local reactions. • Allergic reactions. • Fortunately, beekeepers tend to become less reactive with the passage of time if they receive stings intermittently.

  4. Mild Local Reactions • Immediate • Pain • Burning, itching • Redness • White wheal at site • Tenderness • Hours/days later • Itching • Redness • Swelling

  5. Strong Local Reactions • Massive swelling around the site of the sting. • Increasing swelling with passage of time. • Can last up to a week without treatment.

  6. Allergic Reactions • Three Types: • Cutaneous allergic reactions • Non-life-threatening systemic allergic reactions • Life-threatening allergic reactions • All forms of allergic reactions should be taken very seriously.

  7. Cutaneous Allergic Reactions • Hives or nettle rash anywhere on body. • Massive swelling remote from sting site. • Generalized itching of the skin. • Generalized redness of skin away from sting.

  8. Non-life-threatening Reactions • Allergic rhinitis or conjunctivitis • Minor respiratory problems • Abdominal cramps • Severe gastrointestinal upset • General weakness • Fear of death common

  9. Life-threatening Allergic Reactions • Shock • Unconsciousness • Hypotension • Fainting • Respiratory distress • Laryngeal blockage

  10. Managing Bee Stings • Remove the stinger quickly by scraping. • Many beekeepers take a non-prescription antihistamine to reduce swelling. • Apply treatments such as Soothe Swabs • Carry an Epipen injector

  11. Avoiding Bee Stings • Move slowly and deliberately around bees. • Avoid squeezing and crushing bees. • Avoid hive opening on hot, humid days. • Don’t swat at bees. • Don’t block hive entrance with body. • Wear complete protective coverings. • Avoid dark-colored clothes. • Use your smoker wisely. • Smoke any sting site. • Work your bees at midday when the foragers are out of the hive.

More Related