Mariska Fouché, public affairs manager at allergy medicine provider Pharma Dynamics, says the company's helpline has fielded dozens of calls in recent weeks as members of the public enquired about how to treat and identify allergic symptoms caused by bee stings. "The last days of summer can often be the hairiest, as the end of the warm weather sees more bees and wasps out and about to collect nectar to feed their young before the cooler temperatures sets in," says Fouché.
She says that there is a range of precautions people can take to ensure they do not fall foul of bees and wasps. "During the summer we cook and eat outdoors and generally spend more time in the garden, which is their territory. Think about where you plant flowers. If you keep them near doors and windows, bees and wasps are more likely to come into your house.
"Try not to eat sugary foods and drinks outside. If you do drink outside, the best thing to do is use a bottle and keep the lid on it to stop any bees or wasps from getting inside, which could result in a nasty sting in your mouth." Fouché also advises against wearing strong perfumes or brightly-coloured clothing, which could lead them to confuse humans for flowers.
"If stung by a bee or wasp, a person can get a localised reaction in the form of swelling, heat or itching of the skin around the bite area," says Dr Mike Levin, allergy advisor at Pharma Dynamics. "If you can see the stinger, remove it as quickly as possible to lessen exposure to the venom. Put an ice pack on the affected area for 15 minutes every few hours or so, which will help to reduce swelling. Oral antihistamines and analgesics might also help to reduce pain or itching associated with skin reactions.
"However, in case of a serious systemic allergic reaction, which means the venom causes a reaction throughout a person's body and not just around the bite itself, the person may break out in hives, experience wheezing, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, faintness and swelling of the face, lips or tongue. If a person has any of these symptoms, it is important to get medical help immediately."
If you know that you or your child is severely allergic to bee stings, Dr Levin recommends that you wear a medic alert tag at all times and see your doctor for a prescription for an emergency kit with an adrenaline syringe (Epipen). If used immediately after the first sign of a systemic symptom following a bee attack, this injection will stop the allergic reaction from progressing and could save your life.
For most varieties of bee stings, antihistamines will help to stop itching and lessen swelling, and no preventive therapy will be necessary. If you are severely allergic to bee stings, talk to a doctor about getting venom immunotherapy (allergy injections) from an allergist to reduce the risk of getting anaphylaxis from subsequent stings.
For more information about bee sting allergies, phone 0860 PHARMA (742 762) or log on to www.allergyexpert.co.za to post queries to Dr Levin.
