Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
When should I call a doctor about a bee or wasp sting?
Most bee and wasp stings can be treated at home, but
some cases require medical attention. If there is any suspicion at all that a
person is having a systemic allergic reaction, seek immediate emergency medical assistance.
Signs that a person may be having a systemic reaction include widespread
hives or rash, wheezing, difficulty
breathing, and swelling in the mouth and
throat areas. If a person is stung by an insect whose sting has previously
caused an anaphylactic reaction, he or she should also access emergency
medical care even if no symptoms are present.
You should also seek medical care if any of the following conditions are
present:
If you have received multiple stings
If the sting is located in the eye or eye area
If symptoms of infection (pus, drainage, fever,
increasing pain and redness) develop
If the initial symptoms worsen or persist for longer
than 24-48 hours
If a sting produces severe symptoms in young
children, the elderly, or those with chronic medical problems
How is a bee or wasp sting diagnosed?
In most cases the victim or an observer will have witnessed the sting.
Depending upon the type of insect, the stinging apparatus may be found
embedded in the skin, but this is not the case with wasps and some types of
bees. The characteristic symptoms for each type of reaction along with the
history of a sting are typically sufficient to establish a diagnosis.
What is the treatment for a bee or wasp sting?
Treatment for a mild allergic reaction
First aid for a bee sting involves cleansing the site, immediate removal
of the stinging apparatus (if present), and application of ice or cold packs
to the affected area.
If the sting site becomes infected, your doctor may prescribe a course
of antibiotics.
If it has been more than 10 years since your last
tetanus
booster immunization,
get a booster within the next few days.
Treatment for a mild allergic reaction (such as a rash
without any breathing difficulty) usually involves the administration of
antihistamine medications and sometimes steroid medications to reduce inflammation.
Treatment for anaphylactic reaction
The treatment of choice for life-threatening
anaphylactic reactions is epinephrine. Emergency medical treatments may also
include steroid and antihistamine medications and insertion of a breathing tube.
Intravenous fluids and medications to support cardiovascular function may also be
required. Treatment may be begun at the scene by emergency medical personnel
and continued in the hospital.
Doctors can prescribe an allergy kit containing
self-administered epinephrine (Epi-Pen) for persons at risk for a severe
allergic reaction, including those with known allergy to bee or wasp stings.
These self-administered injectable epinephrine treatments can be life-saving in
many cases. It is important to have kits readily available at home, in the
car, at work, etc. and to know how to use them properly.
Immunotherapy is sometimes recommended for those with a history of severe
allergic reactions to stings. In this treatment, a series of shots ("allergy
shots") are used to provide low-dose exposure to venom. This type of
treatment may significantly reduce the chance of future severe allergic
reactions.
An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.
Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that affects a number of different areas of the body at one time, and can be fatal. Causes of anaphylaxis can be food allergy, latex allergy, allergy to insect or but stings/bites, asthma, or other materials or conditions. Symptoms include flushing, itching, hives, anxiety, rapid or irregular pulse. Severe symptoms may be throat and tongue swelling, swallowing, and difficulty breathing. Some disorders appear similar to anaphylaxis such as fainting, panic attacks, blood clots in the lungs, heart attacks, and septic shock. If you think that you may be having an anaphylactic reaction, seek emergency care or call 911 immedately.
Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve, the structure that connects the eye to the brain. The precise cause of optic neuritis is unknown, but it is thought to be a type of autoimmune disorder. Optic neuritis most commonly develops due to an autoimmune disorder that may be triggered by a viral infection.
The most common cause of a black eye is due to an injury to the face or head. Most black eye injuries are minor and heal on their own, however, some may lead to significant injury. In addition to trauma to the face, cosmetic surgery can cause a black eye(s) as a side effect. People should be aware of the situations in which medical care should be sought immediately for a black eye.
Bug bites and stings have been known to transmit insect-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Lyme disease. Though most reactions to insect bites and stings are mild, some reactions may be life-threatening. Preventing bug bites and stings with insect repellant, wearing the proper protective attire, and not wearing heavily scented perfumes when in grassy, wooded, and brushy areas is key.
The majority of stinging insects in the United States are from Bees, Yellow Jackets, Hornets, Wasps and Fire Ants. Severity of reactions to stings varies greatly. Avoidance and prompt treatment are essential. In selected cases, allergy injection therapy is highly effective.
First aid is a complicated subject and it is situation-specific. First aid is the help and medical assistance that someone gives, not only to an injured person, but to a person who is sick. Preparedness is a key element of first aid, like having basic medical emergency kits in your home, car, boat, or RV. Cuts, puncture wounds, sprains, strains, nosebleeds are one type of injury that may require first aid; heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and heat stroke are examples of more critical first aid emergencies.
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