Attention to bee and insect stings

Cyprus International University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health and Medical Education faculty member Prof. Dr. Banu Elçin Yoldaşcan recommended to be careful about insect and bee stings with the increase in the number of insects in nature and more time spent outside in the summer months.

Stating that there can be redness, swelling and pain on the skin due to insect bites, but these symptoms usually improve within a few hours, Yoldaşcan said, “In some cases, some more serious findings that may accompany these symptoms might occur, emergency service should be consulted at this point.”

Prof. Dr. Yoldaşcan expressed that the serious findings in question would develop as a result of allergic reactions and added, "these can be systematic reactions that are broad or affecting a certain part of the body but either way, they will be affecting the whole body."

The reactions generally start mildly and “in 12-24 hours, edema, redness, and temperature increase, which usually exceeds 20 cm, sometimes involving the entire arm or leg, can also be seen,” said Yoldaşcan.

It was mentioned by Prof. Dr. Yoldaşcan that depending on the type of insect, stings/bites by more than one insect, and the tendency of the person to allergic reactions, symptoms may vary “as urticarial (hives), itching and redness, edema on the face, tongue, and throat, difficulty in breathing, dizziness, abdominal pain and nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Especially in the bites in the head and neck, the reactions are riskier, so, emergency service should be sought if these symptoms are present. ”

Yoldaşcan, who advised cleaning the bitten area with soapy water to prevent infection from insect or bee stings without reaction, said it is also important not to scratch, absorb and squeeze the bitten area.

Yoldaşcan reminded that itching caused by the insect bites can be relieved by using anti-histogram creams recommended by the doctor to reduce complaints, and continued: “Ice compress should be applied to the swollen area. Cold compresses or analgesics reduce pain and swelling, and also, applying cold compresses prevents the reaction from expanding to other parts of the body. ”