Bumblebee bit - what to do at home

Some people mistakenly believe that bumblebees are not able to sting like bees. However, this is not so, although they bite solely for self-defense and only females who have a sting. Therefore, you need to know how to treat a bumblebee bite and what are its consequences for humans.

Species of bumblebees and their bites

Bumblebee belongs to the biological classification of the sitting-bellied insects from the bee family and has more than 300 species. By their behavior, they are social insects, living colonies that collect nectar from flowers.

Common types of bumblebees in Russia and the possibility of their bites:

• purple bumblebee, also called a “carpenter”, a black insect with violet-blue wings up to 3 cm in size, belongs to a non-aggressive species, however, the bite of a blue bumblebee is quite painful;
• stone bumblebees - the body is covered with dark hairs, the scarlet abdomen, size 20-27 mm, live in large colonies between stones, the bite of a black bumblebee occasionally can cause an allergic reaction;
• earthen - nests are arranged in the ground, sometimes abandoned mouse holes are used, the trunk reaches a length of 28 mm and has a black color with yellow hairs and stripes on the chest, the females are larger than the males and equipped with a sting, the bumblebee bites only for self-defense;
• garden bumblebee - the smallest (length 16-24 mm), the abdomen is colored front and back yellow, in the middle - black hairs between the wings, colonies are arranged in hollows, old stumps and cracks in the ground.

Also emit urban and field bumblebees.

On a note!

Typically, bumblebee colonies consist of 100-200 insects, but it is difficult to detect them, because they mask their nests well and protect them.

Does a bumblebee have a sting

The sting of bumblebees is present only on the body of working individuals (females) or in the uterus, it is smooth and has no nicks. Therefore, after a bite, the insect does not leave a sting in the body of the victim, as is the case with bees.

Inside, the bumblebee sting (photo below) has an empty channel, like a needle in a syringe. The moment a bumblebee bites, a microscopic portion of the poison passes through this cavity. It contains various components: fats and proteins, peptides, amino acids, aliphatic compounds.

Interesting!

Many people wonder how many stings this insect has and whether a bumblebee dies after a bite. The peculiarity of the structure of a single sting is such that it does not cling to the skin of the victim, so there are no negative consequences for the body of the insect.

What is dangerous bumblebee

For most bitten people, there are no consequences. However, those who are predisposed to allergies may experience an acute toxic reaction to poison, since one of its components is serotonin.

Important!

With a second bite, the likelihood of an allergic reaction is much greater than with the first, because in the human body, already once bitten, toxins to bumblebee poison are produced.

A bumblebee bite is also dangerous for pregnant or lactating women, babies whose immune system is not yet able to cope with the action of toxins.Complications are possible if the bumblebee stings in the face (eyes, nose) or head: in the neck or ear. The intake of poison can cause swelling of the mucous membranes and disrupt their normal functioning.

A bite in a leg or arm, if the sting does not enter the blood vessel, usually does not give negative consequences, and edema is possible only with individual intolerance to the victim's body.

The most common areas that a bumblebee often stings or bites are:

• a bite in a finger or hand, while brushing off insects;
• leg bites occur when a person accidentally steps on a nest.

Does a bumblebee sting people and why

Unlike bees, bumblebees bite only for self-defense, attacking someone who poses a threat to him or is trying to destroy the hive or stocks of his family.

Also provoke an insect attack can:

• pungent smell of cosmetics or perfumes, alcohol or fumes, oxidizing metal;
• blue color in clothes or sudden movements of a person.

Important!

Multiple bumblebee bites pose the greatest danger, due to the large volume of toxins that enter the bloodstream, which can cause a strong toxic reaction, accompanied by a disruption in the human cardiovascular and nervous system. There is also a chance of death in the event of anaphylactic shock and respiratory arrest of the victim.

Symptoms and appearance of a bite

The local reaction to the bite does not depend on whether the sting is left. Many people do not know exactly what a bumblebee bite looks like and whether it hurts bites than bees. The answers to these questions will be a description of the symptoms and consequences of bites.

Typically, the non-allergic effects of a bite are as follows:

• pain and discomfort in the bite area;
• constant itching and burning;
• tissue swelling and lump resembling a bump, as seen in the photo of a bumblebee bite.

The listed symptoms appear almost immediately. It is difficult to say exactly how much time passes before they decrease. They can remain for several days, and the next day, a local reaction is likely to spread to neighboring areas of the skin. With strong combing, the situation worsens.

Allergic manifestations may also not immediately appear due to the absence of antibodies to the bumblebee venom in the victim’s body, however, a strong instant reaction with individual intolerance is occasionally possible.

Negative allergic symptoms:

• swelling and redness not only of the bite zone, but of the whole body;
• severe itching, rash on the skin, the appearance of blisters;
• toxic reaction: nausea, vomiting and diarrhea;
• trouble breathing; onset of suffocation;
• fever and severe chills;
• increased heart rate.

Very rarely, but there is a possibility of anaphylactic shock, which is accompanied by dizziness, suffocation, convulsions and fainting. In such a situation, it is necessary to call an ambulance.

With multiple bumblebee bites, toxic manifestations of the body are possible:

• weakness and dizziness;
• nausea;
• heart rhythm disturbances.

First aid for a bite

The most important question that interests many people: how to treat bumblebee bites. Actions usually depend on the severity of the effects of the bite:

1. If a sting is visible in a bitten place, then it should be removed with tweezers previously disinfected.
2. Then this area must be anointed or treated with an antiseptic, applying a swab with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or a solution of potassium permanganate; no need to make efforts to squeeze out the poison, so as not to bring the infection into the wound.
3. Put a cold compress, which will help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
4. Drink an antihistamine to relieve a possible allergic reaction, even if there is no predisposition in it: Suprastin, Erius, Zodak, etc.
5. In the following hours, it is necessary to increase the intake of fluids (water and tea with sugar), which will reduce the likelihood of a toxic reaction.
6. If the patient's condition worsens, it is better to call a doctor.

When stinging a bumblebee, it is prohibited:

• try to slam or crush the insect, as emitted toxic substances will attract the rest of the colony;
• comb a bitten place;
• take sleeping pills or alcohol.

On a note!

To prevent the poison from spreading to neighboring areas of the skin, combing and friction in the area of ​​bumblebee bites should be avoided. Also, it is not recommended to consume alcoholic beverages and take hot baths, because this can provoke vasodilation and a wider distribution of toxic toxins in the victim's body.

Treatment and anesthesia for bites

At home, treatment should be carried out with herbal or medication to relieve discomfort and pain:

• antiseptics: iodine, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Mirasmistin;
• gels that help relieve inflammation, itching and burning: Fenistil, Advantan;
• homeopathic medicines are taken to prevent an acute reaction of the body to bumblebee poison: Apis Mellifika, Urtika Urens.

Help with a bite in the face or eye area: rinse the mucous membranes of the eyes with strong tea (it is better to cool), you can attach a tea bag to help relieve swelling and soothe.

For the treatment of the consequences of a bumblebee bite, folk remedies are also used:

• compresses from fresh herbs of plantain, parsley, dandelion leaves;
• processing with a solution of baking soda, which in a mushy state is superimposed on a bitten place;
• raw potatoes, a slice of cucumber, apple or tomato;
• freshly squeezed lemon juice mixed with vodka;
• chopped onions;
• frozen milk in cubes;
• chilled olive oil to lubricate the skin;
• a mixture of 1 tsp. honey and 1 head of garlic;
• aloe leaf, from which it is necessary to peel and apply the pulp to a painful place;
• pulp from a crushed tablet of activated carbon or validol with water.

Herbal infusions and decoctions that help remove the bite mark and reduce negative feelings:

• a mixture of dried chamomile and calendula flowers: a decoction is made that can be used to wipe the bitten place and drink as a sedative;
• basil: 3 tsp pour a glass of boiling water, boil for 5 minutes, then cool and take orally for 1 tbsp. l 3 p. per day and for lotions;
• calendula infusion: 1 tbsp. l of grass per 200 g of alcohol (70%), insist 3 days, then dilute 1 tsp to 50 g of water, and soak the fabric with the resulting solution and make lotions.

When a doctor needs help

Communicating for medical assistance is necessary in situations when:

• multiple insect bites;
• a bumblebee has bitten a child, a pregnant woman, or a person who is prone to acute allergies;
• the bite is on the face, near the eyes or mouth;
• there are symptoms of acute toxicity of the body;
• infection of the wound at the site of the bite, suppuration.

How to prevent bumblebee bites

If bumblebees appeared in the house, they should be bring out. So that they do not bite, you must follow the precautions:

1. Do not try to catch or touch the insect, do not wave your arms near it.
2. Try to avoid crowded bees and bumblebees (fruits on the market, etc.).
3. In the house, put mosquito nets on the windows.
4. Do not eat sweet food on the street.
5. During a country trip or picnic, do not wear bright clothes and do not use perfumes with harsh aromas.

If nevertheless there was a nuisance and the bite could not be avoided, then the recommendations given will tell you what to do if the bumblebee has bitten: how to be treated and when to see a doctor.