Title: Treating Bee Stings: A Dive Into Reactions, Treatment & Prevention – DrGreene.com Treating Bee Stings
Headings: Treating Bee Stings: A Dive Into Reactions, Treatment & Prevention
Treating Bee Stings: A Dive Into Reactions, Treatment & Prevention
Question
Dr. Greene's Answer
Types of Bee Sting Reactions
Treating Bee Stings
Preventing Bee Stings
Allergy Testing
More Friend Than Foe
References and Resources:
Alan Greene MD

Content: It is estimated that one in every three bites of food we eat exists because of animal and insect pollinators, including 3,500 species of native bees! This means that one-third of our food is created by these industrious little beings. Bees are intelligent creatures with highly developed social cultures. They are not aggressive in nature, but sting when frightened or startled as a mechanism of defense. Honeybees in particular die after engaging their stingers. In light of recent threats such as colony collapse, it is in the best interest of both bees and humans to support their longevity as best we can. Bees are never on the hunt for victims to sting, but nevertheless it does happen when they feel threatened. While bee stings are fairly common, extreme cases of allergic reaction are rare. Of the 60 or so people who die as a result of hornet, wasps, or bee stings each year, the vast majority are adults. After being stung most children and adults experience a case of innocuous, if painful, red bumps that subsides within about 2 hours.