Bee Sting
Symptoms
The mere thought of a bee sting often instills in people the fear of an allergic reaction. It would take about 100 bee stings to cause a life-threatening reaction in an average person. People who experience allergic reactions from a single sting have symptoms ranging from mild local swelling to anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal. If someone develops a tightness in the throat, difficulty breathing and feels panic seconds or hours after being stung, it should be treated as a life-threatening medical emergency. Severe reactions are rare, but cause shock within minutes. Pharmacies provide emergency medications with a prescription, and these should be carried by those who are highly allergic. With the more common, milder reactions, the intense stinging pain subsides within a short period of time. The area typically becomes red, hot and swollen with the pain. The greater the sensitivity to the sting, the larger the area affected.
Bee Sting Causes
When honey bees sting, they release a poison that causes a local inflammation. Other stinging venomous insects are wasps and hornets. Bees leave their stinger in the victim; wasps and hornets do not. These insects sting as a response to a threat. They are particularly attracted to bright colors and flowery designs and they like sweet perfumes of all sorts, including those in hairsprays and gels, sunscreen and hand lotions. Most of all, insects like the syrups, honey and sugars common to soft drinks, pastries and fruits.
Bee Sting Nutrition
For bee stings on the face and neck, eat ice-cubes at once until help arrives, to reduce swelling which can constrict the airway. Children should eat crushed ice only.
The essential fatty acids omega-3 alpha-linolenic and omega-6 linoleic acid contained in unrefined, cold-pressed flax seed oil are converted to anti-inflammatory prostaglandins in the body. The oil from fish such as cod, salmon and mackerel has a similar anti-inflammatory action. Raw fruits and vegetables provide vitamin C, which promotes speedy healing. Avocados and wheat germ are rich in the antioxidant vitamin E, which is also helpful in the healing process.
Bee Sting Nutritional Supplements
Large doses of vitamin C taken with calcium reduce the toxic effects of bee stings and also alleviates pain. If diarrhea occurs, reduce the dosage to a more comfortable level. Do not rely solely on vitamin C in an emergency situation. Chlorophyll from alfalfa, blue-green algae or spirulina helps detoxify the blood.
Daily dosage with meals:
Most Important
Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 4,000 mg within the first hour of a sting, then 1,000 mg every few hours until the allergic effects subside.
Helpful
Calcium, 1,200 mg twice daily
Vitamin B1, 10 mg
Green food supplements, 1 tsp. three times daily
Bee Sting Herbal Remedies
Bee stings inject a toxin into the blood and the lymph system that affects internal organs and can cause the formation of harmful free radicals in the body. Herbal remedies can promote healing of the skin, decrease inflammation, help the body cleanse residual toxins from the blood and boost the immune system.
Crush and gently rub herbal leaves on the bee sting. Use plantain, lemon balm and ivy leaves to soothe and heal, and yarrow to reduce the itching and swelling.
To boost the immune system and purify the blood, take 10-20 drops of echinacea tincture in liquid (yellow dock tea will enhance the effect) or 1-2 capsules or tablets three times daily for up to a week, if required.
To soothe the sting and speed scarless healing, slice a fresh leaf of aloe plant and dab the gel on the bite two to three times daily.
Bee Sting Homeopathy
Choose one of the remedies listed below in a 6c strength, taking 2 tablets under the tongue every ten minutes until the pain subsides or for up to six doses, then three times daily for up to three days if necessary.
Ledum is the first recommendation for a bee sting. Ledum will reduce the inflammation and relieve the pain. It is most indicated when the affected area feels cold or numb, but can be used immediately after a sting, before symptoms become obvious.
Apis should be used as an alternative if the swelling develops prominently. The area is red, hot and noticeably swollen.
Bee Sting Tissue Salts
Nat mur is the main tissue salt for relief from bee stings. Take 4 tablets under the tongue every ten to fifteen minutes for serious pain and swelling, or hourly for lesser pain. A maintenance dose for lingering pain is three times daily. For less serious stings, mix tablets into a paste by adding a little water, and apply to the sting.
Bee Sting External/Physical Therapies
Remove stinger immediately by scraping the skin with your fingernail or a nail file. Do not use tweezers or squeeze the stinger, as that will inject more venom into the wound.
Empty a capsule of vitamin E onto the skin to encourage healing and alleviate pain.
Place a slice of lemon or onion on a wasp sting to neutralize the alkaline.
If stung in the mouth, gargle with liquid whey concentrate or, if unavailable, with 2 tbsp. salt to 3 oz. water.
Wasp stings can become infected; if the inflammation seems to have worsened on the second day, consult a physician.
Apply a cabbage leaf poultice or clay pack to the neck to further help in reducing the poison's effect.
Use a charcoal poultice over the site of the sting to absorb the venom.
Bee Sting Other Suggestions
When stung, stay calm and cover your face and exposed limbs with a scarf or jacket if there are more bees in the area.
Common sense and awareness will help you avoid most bee and wasp stings. Check for bees near containers holding sugary drinks.
To avoid being stung, always wear shoes, especially when walking or playing on grass with flowering clover. Stay well away from hives and nests, and do not panic if a bee flies close to you.
Bee Sting Available Brand Name Products
Nutritional Supplements
Silicea Gel (Anton Huebner)
Flax Oil (Flora)
Flax-O-Mega 1,000 mg (Flora)
Multi Element Buffered C (Klaire Laboratories)
Flax Seed Oil 1,000 mg (Natural Factors)
Flax Seed Oil Liquid (Natural Factors)
Wild Salmon Oil (Natural Factors)
Herbal Remedies
Echinacea Angustifolia Extract (Nature's Herbs)
Homeopathy
Apis (Nelsons Homeopathy)
External Therapies
Molkosan (Bioforce)
Basil Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Chamomile Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Lavender Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Tea Tree Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Sting Gel (Nelsons Homeopathy)
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