Summer is the time of emergence of pollinating insects. Beneficial insects not only do important work for the fruiting of trees, but, accidentally colliding with a person, can cause severe pain with their sting. Not only the bee can sting, but also its closely related relative - the bumblebee.

The bumblebee has a larger physique, flies slower and is peaceful in nature. But a bumblebee sting is more painful than a bee sting. The bite is a conventional name, because the bumblebee strikes with the sting, which is located at the bottom of its abdomen. The sting of a bumblebee is smooth and hollow, filled with a poisonous substance inside and has the principle of a syringe. Upon contact with the human body, the insect injects a portion of the poison, while the bumblebee sting itself does not remain in the skin, unlike the bee sting, which has the shape of a harpoon. Therefore, one bumblebee can sting several times.

The bumblebee attacks in case of danger to his life or to protect the nest where the swarm lives. The insect stings only open areas of the body. Bumblebees are often stepped on or landed on and are attracted to sweet scents or floral perfumes. Curious children are often encountered with an insect attack. A gardener may accidentally unearth a bumblebee nest underground. To avoid collisions with Hymenoptera, you should also avoid walking barefoot in clover fields or lying on flowering grass. The hardworking bumblebee can also be found in the dark.

Bumblebee

What to do if bitten by a bumblebee

A single bumblebee bite does not pose an increased danger to a healthy person. The dosage of the injected poison is microscopic. At the site of the bite, there is a sharp pain, swelling and redness.

The wound is disinfected with antiseptic agents and cold is applied. Painful sensations usually subside within half an hour after contact with an insect, other symptoms can persist for several days and usually do not require special treatment.

But a massive attack of insects, for example, when the nest is opened or damaged, can cause severe intoxication, in which case it will not be possible to do without medical help. More than 10 simultaneous bites of an adult and 5 of a child are considered multiple. The first thing to do if bitten by a bumblebee is to track down possible allergic reactions.

It is also dangerous to get poison on the mucous membranes, eyes or throat. The areas of the face, neck and tongue have a good blood supply, so in these places there is a faster absorption of the poison and the development of edema, dangerous asphyxiation.

Additional Information. Pregnant women, during periods of breastfeeding and children are at risk from a bumblebee bite.

It is necessary to make a decision when bumblebees have bitten what to do, if this has happened repeatedly within 2-3 days, on the recommendation of a doctor, because the content of toxins in the blood in this case will be exceeded, and the likelihood of allergic reactions will increase.

Bitten by a bumblebee, the hand is swollen and reddened

Swelling, edema and an increase in the size of the puncture site always appear and are the result of the reaction of the skin to the poison, especially when the sting enters the blood vessel. Also at the site of the bite there is an area with uneven redness.

Bumblebee venom contains protein compounds that can cause allergic reactions, especially for people with impaired immune systems.

Usually, an allergic reaction occurs rarely and only in 1-2% of people.The risk of developing allergies during the first contact with an insect is especially insignificant, but with each subsequent bite it increases several times.

Attention! The manifestations of an allergy to bumblebee venom are dangerous in that they can vary from a slight deterioration in the general condition to anaphylactic shock.

Signs of an allergic reaction of the body to a bumblebee bite:

  • itching, redness of the skin, rash, blisters;
  • dizziness, increased body temperature;
  • vomiting, diarrhea.

If you suspect a specific reaction of the body, in addition to applying cold to the site of the bite, you should smear it with antihistamines, and also take them inside, according to the dosage in the instructions for the drug. You can't comb the puncture site so as not to provoke even more inflammation.

Symptoms such as convulsions, choking, loss of consciousness are very rare and require immediate medical attention. Also, specialist advice requires any of the listed signs that do not go away within 2-3 days.

If bitten by a bumblebee in the leg and it is swollen

All the unpleasant sensations arising from the sting are not associated with a puncture of the skin, but with the poison injected under it. Therefore, induration and local reaction in the form of severe pain and itching are normal. In most cases, swelling of the bite site occurs as a response of the human immune system to the ingestion of toxic compounds.

Bumblebee bite

Under the influence of the poison, the walls of cell tissues are destroyed, lymph accumulates and the soft tissue around the wound increases. Such a reaction of the body is typical and is aimed at quickly neutralizing intoxication. A swollen leg can be released into cool water to relieve the burning sensation. For preventive purposes, antihistamines are taken. Symptoms gradually improve and go away on their own.

When asked what to do if stung by a bumblebee, and the swelling on the leg does not subside or spreads further along the body, the answer is: seeking professional help.

Additional Information. In people with different pain thresholds, the symptoms and sensations of a bumblebee bite can be expressed with varying degrees of severity.

It is normal for the pain to subside within the first 30 minutes after the bite; the subcutaneous lump can subside over the course of several days to several weeks.

After a bumblebee bite on the finger

The solution to the question of what to do if stung by a bumblebee in the fingers is the same as the insect bite in other parts of the body. The site of the bite is washed with antiseptic solutions, cold is applied to relieve swelling and less spread of poison. The affected area can be treated with an ointment containing hydrocortisone, it will effectively help relieve redness and irritation of the epidermis.

Itching of the fingers and hands, as an adequate reaction of the body to the penetration of poison under the skin, can be soothed with the use of antiallergic drugs for external and internal use.

First aid for a bumblebee bite

First aid for a bumblebee bite is simple. The sharp pain that arose at the time of the bite, with an uncomplicated course of the wound healing process, passes on its own.

Bumblebee bite

Bumblebee bite what to do during the day:

  • drink plenty of fluids: tea or water;
  • moisten the bite with citric acid or an apple, a slice of raw potatoes;
  • make a lotion of chopped parsley gruel;
  • do not take alcohol;
  • do not take a steam bath and wash in hot water;
  • do not disturb the bite site, including by combing.

In order not to wonder what to do after being bitten by a bumblebee, it is best to prevent unwanted contact with the insect. You should not try to catch pollinators, brush them off with your hands, provoke an attack in other ways, and approach the nest. The nest can be arranged not only above the ground, but also under it, which bumblebees will protect from strangers.