Why Do Bees Sting People?

Stinging Characteristics of Hymenopterans

• Many species belonging to the order Hymenoptera tend to live a solitary life. However, yellow jackets, fire ants, honeybees and bumblebees are classic examples of social hymenopterans that live in colonies and defend their nest. These members sting if they perceive a threat to their nest or if they are injured or disturbed when they are busy in their activities.

  European and Africanized honeybees do not sting while gathering pollen or nectar from flowers. They sting just in self-defense. Africanized honeybees are more aggressive in defense than the European varieties and sting just once. However, they are unpredictable and extremely protective about the area around their nest. They tend to react faster and in large numbers compared to their European counterparts.

Bee Sting Pain

• The sting of a honeybee injects a chemical called melittin that stimulates the pain receptors of the nerves. This venom when injected into the skin is what causes pain. The pain lasts for a few minutes and the tissues around this area become sensitive for a few days after the sting.

Body Response to Bee Stings

• The immune system recognizes the venom and discharges certain fluids from the blood to the affected area to flush out the venom. This causes swelling, redness and itching. If the person was stung previously by a particular species of bee, the immune system reacts with an increased effort to flush it out. This could result in a large swelling around the sting site along with itching.

First Aid

• The first step to reduce the pain of a bee sting is to remove the stinger as quickly as possible. This is because the venom gets continuously injected into the skin up to a minute after the insect leaves behind the stinger. The earlier you remove the stinger, the lesser the severity of the pain. Do not rub or scratch the stung site. The bacteria present on the skin may enter the site and cause an infection.

Treatment and Medication

• Wash the wound thoroughly and treat it immediately. Topical ointment applications, oral antihistamines, cold compresses and skin coolants are effective to relieve the pain and allergic reaction caused by a bee sting.

Precautions

• Seek medical attention immediately if the sting occurs in the mouth or the neck region, as this can cause suffocation. You should also contact your doctor if you observe severe symptoms or allergic reactions, such as development of hives, abdominal cramps, headache, nausea and vomiting, following the bee sting.

  If you know that you are allergic to bee stings, carry an epinephrine injection when going to a place where the chances of getting stung are higher. Anaphylactic reactions need epinephrine and not anti-histamines, which are for milder allergic reactions.

  Remain calm when a bee lands on you. Do not try to swat it. It will leave after inspecting your smell or drinking a bit of your perspiration. If you lack the patience, gently brush the bee with a piece of paper.