Bee stings can cause different reactions in each sufferer. Therefore, appropriate treatment steps and medication for bee stings are needed so that the symptoms that appear can subside.
In most cases, bee stings are harmless and can be treated independently at home. However, for people who have allergies to bee stings, allergic reactions that appear can be quite severe and even potentially life threatening if not treated immediately.
Therefore, the handling and administration of drugs for bee stings needs to be adjusted to the reactions or symptoms that appear. If the reaction experienced after being stung by a bee is quite severe, treatment must be carried out immediately by a doctor.
Bee Sting Reactions and Symptoms
When stinging, the bee will inject venom through the stinger into the skin. This can cause different reactions in each person. The symptoms felt also vary, ranging from mild to the onset of a more severe allergic reaction.
Bee stings usually cause mild symptoms in the form of burning or pain, accompanied by redness and swelling in the part of the body that was stung by a bee. Sometimes, a bee sting can also trigger itching. These symptoms generally only last for a few hours and will subside on their own.
Conditions that are classified as more severe are generally characterized by inflammation and swelling at the site of the sting. Although not classified as a severe allergic reaction, these symptoms can be quite disturbing and will generally only heal in about 5-10 days.
Although rare, some people who are stung by bees can experience a severe allergic reaction, namely anaphylactic shock. People who experience an anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting have the potential to develop severe symptoms that can be life-threatening.
The following are some of the symptoms of anaphylactic shock:
- Swelling of the tongue, lips, and throat, causing shortness of breath
- Breath sounds
- Hoarseness
- Itching and redness of the skin
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Dizzy
- Loss of consciousness
- Weak and fast pulse
Anaphylaxis due to a bee sting or something else is a serious medical condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Several Types of Medicine for Bee Stings
When you are stung by a bee, your first aid is to remove the stinger from the skin using tweezers or nail tips. The goal is to stop exposure to toxic substances from the stinger that enter the skin.
When removing a bee stinger that is stuck in the skin, try not to press the skin because the venom in the stinger can penetrate the skin more.
After the bee sting has been removed, wash the sting area with a mild chemical soap and clean water to reduce the absorption of the venom. After that, apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth to reduce pain and swelling.
Furthermore, you can use the following remedies for bee stings:
Pain reliever
To reduce swelling and pain from bee stings, you can take pain relievers such as paracetamol. Use according to the dosage stated on the medicine package and stop using this medicine when the symptoms from bee stings have disappeared.
Ointment
Bee stings can make the skin feel itchy, swollen, and red due to irritation to toxic substances from bees. To overcome this, you can apply bee sting medicine in the form of calamine lotion or hydrocortisone ointment.
Allergy medicine
If the itching, swelling, and redness don't improve, you can use allergy medications or antihistamines. There are drugs that are sold freely, but there are those that can only be obtained through a doctor's prescription.
To treat a bee sting that causes serious symptoms or an anaphylactic reaction, you are advised to immediately go to the nearest health center or hospital.
The doctor will put a breathing apparatus through the throat to provide oxygen, as well as give drugs and fluids through an IV. The type of drug given can be in the form of injections of antihistamines, corticosteroids, or steroids epinephrine.
Be careful using natural remedies for bee stings
In addition to drugs, the following natural ingredients are believed to be a cure for bee stings if the symptoms experienced are relatively mild. These natural ingredients include:
1. Honey
Honey has an anti-inflammatory effect and can help heal wounds, pain, and itching caused by bee stings. How to use it is quite easy, that is, just by applying honey on the location of the bee sting.
2. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is also believed to help neutralize bee venom. This traditional medicine is used by soaking a bandage or cloth in vinegar first, then attaching it to the site of the stung skin.
3. Baking soda powder
Apply a cream or paste made of baking soda or baking soda and water is believed to help neutralize the venom from bee stings.
4. Toothpaste
Some people believe that toothpaste is also able to neutralize bee sting venom. The method is very easy, which is just by applying a little toothpaste on the stung area.
However, you need to know that there has been no further research that has proven the effectiveness of the natural ingredients mentioned above to treat bee stings.
Therefore, you need to prioritize the treatment of bee stings with the use of medications for bee stings, such as pain relievers or allergy medications, to relieve the symptoms that appear.
However, if the symptoms of a bee sting do not subside or even get worse even though you have used medicine for bee stings, immediately consult a doctor at the nearest clinic, health center, or hospital.