There are thousands of different species of bees and wasps that live on all six continents with flowering plants. They depend on pollen and nectar from flowers for food and energy.
These insects typically sting in self-defense, and stings can be individual or collective; some wasps release a component in their venom that encourages others to sting the same person. Stings are more common in people who work or engage in outdoor activities and may have a seasonal component. People who have been stung are more likely to have severe allergic reactions to future stings, which is why adults often have more severe reactions than children.
Symptoms vary depending on the type of venom, the number of stings, and the person's sensitivity to the venom. Typically, stings cause severe and immediate pain in the area of the sting, as well as swelling and redness. In people who are sensitive to the venom, it can cause a severe allergic reaction with widespread swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, digestive problems, dizziness, or loss of consciousness.
Diagnosis is clinical, based on correlation of the sting with local symptoms. Allergy-specific tests and blood analysis can be performed to measure the amount of antibodies produced in response to bee/wasp venom.
Conservative measures are usually sufficient for treatment in most cases: washing with soap and water, application of local cold (cold compresses or ice), and removal of the sting in the case of bee stings. It is important to avoid squeezing the sting site to prevent the spread of the venom.
Allergic patients may benefit from vaccines (immunotherapy) that reduce the immune response to the injected venom. For moderate allergic reactions, antihistamines and corticosteroids may be useful to reduce inflammation, especially if it affects the airways. In severe cases of anaphylactic shock, intramuscular epinephrine administration is necessary; individuals with known allergies may have epinephrine autoinjectors available in their usual environment.
