The bite of a bumblebee or a predatory representative of the genus Hymenoptera is a defensive reaction of a female or uterus against an imaginary or real attack of a person, since only they have a sting.

Further in the text, it will be told what a bite looks like, about its consequences, ways to eliminate them and preventive measures, the observance of which will allow you to avoid poisoning with toxic poison.

Bumblebee bite

The bite is poisonous to humans

There are many types of bumblebees in nature, then 4 main types of bites will be considered, which differ in their symptoms.

Types of bumblebees and features of their bites:

  • After being attacked by a purple insect predator, the victim feels painful sensations at the point of contact between the skin and the sting.
  • After being bitten by a stone bumblebee, an allergic reaction is possible.
  • Ground and garden bumblebees are considered the most harmless, their bites are the least likely to cause adverse effects.
  • The Asian bumblebee is considered the most dangerous - the poison of this specimen contains a rich complex of substances dangerous to humans and can not only kill the victim the first time, but also attract other members of the genus with the smell for subsequent attacks.

Bumblebee bite and its consequences

Helpful. The bite is considered poisonous for a person, since a toxic substance enters the victim's body through the sting, poisoning the body.

The ingress of poison into the bloodstream can provoke an allergic reaction, which, in turn, is expressed:

  • an increase in temperature
  • itching in the area of ​​damage to the skin and a rash all over the body;
  • the appearance of edema, blisters.

In addition to external manifestations of exposure to a toxic substance, internal ones can also be observed:

  • nausea;
  • dizziness;
  • tachycardia;
  • labored breathing;
  • choking attack;
  • loss of consciousness;
  • frequent muscle contraction;
  • lack of pulse, pallor;
  • a multiplicity of spasms throughout the body;
  • joint pain.

Bite appearance

To understand how a bumblebee bites, you should pay attention to the fact that after an insect attack, a hole remains, around which over time the skin can turn red and swell, forming a dense bump.

The duration of the poison

The action of a toxic substance containing an allergen in the form of a protein, after it enters the bloodstream, can last from an hour (within 30-40 minutes, the pain subsides) to 3-4 days. Then the main symptoms described above disappear.

Good to know. Despite the fact that bumblebee venom is considered toxic, it is harmless compared to the substance released when a bee attack.

Popular bite sites

Bumblebee nest

The most common places where a striped insect can bite are hands, feet and head. In the first and second cases, the bumblebee can bite if they try to catch him or trample his house. The latter situation may arise in the case of collecting honey without special uniforms.

Helpful. A bite in the limb is safe, in contrast to damage to parts of the head: nose, mouth, eyes, ears, lymph nodes. In case of damage to the latter, you need to urgently consult a doctor, since the poison enters the bloodstream, and the reaction to the ingress of a foreign substance into the body will be instant.

Insect nests are most often found on the ground: inside burrows, stumps or in the sand, unlike bees, which are more fond of trees.

Bite procedure

During the attack, the "needle" pierces the surface of the epidermis, and through it, a mixture of protein, peptides, amino acids, aliphatic compounds and serotonin (lowers blood pressure) enters the victim's body, which causes the above effects.

Bumblebee bite safety reason

Bumblebee bite - what to do at home

The main reason why an insect lives, unlike bees of the same family, even after an attack on a person, is in the structure of the sting, which looks like a hollow needle.

Helpful. The smooth surface of the bumblebee sting not only allows the “weapon” to be removed from the attack site painlessly, both for the stinging and the stung, but also to repeat the biting procedure several times.

Ambulance

Hornet bite - what to do at home

If you get stung by a bumblebee, follow these steps:

  • remove the sting (if left) with tweezers, having previously treated it with hydrogen peroxide or alcohol;
  • rinse the puncture site with clean water;
  • anoint with a disinfecting solution, in the form of hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine;
  • put cotton wool or a bandage moistened with lemon or apple juice on the bite site to relieve pain and partially neutralize the poison;
  • apply aloe to speed up wound healing;
  • put ice or a cold towel on the infected area to narrow the area of ​​infection and reduce swelling;
  • drink hot, very sweet tea;
  • drink any medication from the antihistamine group in order to exclude a possible allergic reaction;
  • in case of deterioration or suppuration of the affected area, you should immediately contact a medical professional.

After a bite, in no case should you:

Removing the sting is important

  • comb the wound site, as you can accelerate the spread of poison and infect an infection;
  • press on the wound to extract the poison, as such actions can lead to blood poisoning;
  • consume alcoholic beverages - alcohol will expand blood vessels, helping the poison spread through the body faster, which contributes to an increase in edema several times;
  • visit the sauna, bath, so as not to cause a delayed allergic reaction.

Helpful. To minimize the effect of the poison, it is recommended to drink large quantities of clean water so that the toxic substance is dissolved in it.

Use of medications

In addition to providing ambulance immediately after the bite, it is recommended to use medications that are used in accordance with the groups of consequences.

Allergy products

Hornet bite

In the event of an allergic reaction, you should seek help from the following antihistamines, the result will be visible within 30 minutes:

  • demidrol - it is advisable to take 1-2 tablets 3 times a day for 10 days;
  • suprostin - since the drug contains a side effect in the form of drowsiness, it is recommended to take 1-2 tablets before bedtime;
  • diazolin - take 1 tablet until the adverse symptoms disappear.

Treatment of external effects

In the case of a tumor, swelling of individual parts, experts advise to smear:

  • hydrocortisone - take externally up to 3 times every 8 hours;
  • a rescuer - smear the injured area with a thin layer and let it dry, repeat the action up to 2-3 times a day;
  • psilobalm - treat the working surface with 3 g of the substance, repeating the procedure up to 4 times within 24 hours.

Helpful. If there are no complications after an insect bite, then the edema and swelling will go away in 48-96 hours.

Traditional methods

It is possible to use for treatment not only preparations containing chemical elements in their composition, but also mixtures of natural ingredients, the recipes of which will be given below:

  1. Grind plantain leaves and put them on a bandage. Apply the finished compress to the wound and change the bandage every 3 hours.
  2. Take a half teaspoon of tansy, pour a glass of water over the herb and cook for 300 seconds on low heat. Allow the solution to cool, then moisten a cotton swab in it and apply the resulting compress to the wound. Change the bandage when dry.
  3. Wash and cut fresh potatoes into round pieces and apply each of them, the last one is put, when the previous one dries, to the place of injection of the poison.
  4. Rinse the bite site under running water, then put banana pulp on it to reduce itching.

Helpful. To remove most of the poison from the body, it is enough to apply a wet lump of sugar to the wound.

Danger of a bumblebee bite

If a bumblebee has bitten, then harm to health can not be expected if there is no allergy to poison, but in the event of an attack by several representatives of the bee family, not only superficial allergic reactions are possible, but also more severe consequences, expressed in the malfunction of the heart, nervous system, and eyes.

In the case of an intolerance to a toxic substance in the victim, the risk of death increases, since the edema at the point of contact between the sting of the insect and the human skin begins to grow at a high rate. A similar reaction can also occur in the case of repeated administration of the poison.

It is also worth pointing out that the bite is most harmful for children under 6 years old, pregnant and lactating women, since all cases of poisoning in the body can lead to irreversible changes in the baby's immune system, up to and including death. People with a predisposition to allergic reactions and vascular diseases may also be at risk.

Important! The victim may die in the case of targeted bites to the head, namely to the mouth and nose, since then there is a risk of anaphylactic shock.

Prevention of poisonous bites

Do not provoke an attack

To prevent a bumblebee attack, it is advisable:

  • do not provoke an attack - keep the maximum distance from the insect;
  • collect honey in special clothing if there is an apiary in the property;
  • not to be in a place of accumulation of insects in alcoholic intoxication;
  • do not use perfumery products in excess if a meeting with a bumblebee is inevitable;
  • in the summer, protect the house from the penetration of insects by placing nets on the opening openings;
  • do not make sudden movements in the presence of a representative of the genus Hymenoptera;
  • if possible, wear clothes of dull colors, especially in the evening, so as not to attract the attention of an insect.

Summing up, it is worth noting that it was indicated why a bumblebee bite is dangerous for humans, and what consequences it can lead to. Precautions for contact with bumblebee and treatment methods were also presented in case a bite was received.

Helpful. Finally, it is worth saying that in order to avoid or reduce the risk of harm to health, it is advisable to communicate with the creatures of nature as carefully as possible and consult a doctor before treating the wound yourself.