Case of a The case of a 50-year-old man experiencing cardiac arrest and respiratory failure after being stung by bees for 15 minutes has made many people concerned. Anaphylactic shock caused by bee stings can occur within one to two minutes or several hours, and the consequences can be extremely dangerous if the victim are not given immediate first aid.

Treatment for bee stings:

  • First and foremost, remain calm and avoid waving your hands as it will attract more bees.
  • Clean the bee sting site with soap or antiseptic solution.
  • If the stinger is visible on the skin’s surface, you can try removing it with tweezers. However, never attempt to squeeze the wound to remove the stinger as it may spread the venom.
  • After that, apply a cold towel or an ice pack to the swollen area for approximately 15-20 minutes to reduce pain and swelling.
  • If there are any abnormal symptoms such as itching, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, low blood pressure, or dizziness, the victim should be taken to an emergency medical facility immediately. Absolutely do not arbitrarily use anti-allergic drugs.

2/ Prevention of bee stings:

  • During the bee breeding season, stay away from areas with abundant flowering plants (such as lychee or guava) where bees tend to build their hives.
  • Remove beehives in areas with high human traffic; do not allow bees to build hives inside the house. When in contact with bees, wear thick clothing, a hat, and protective eyewear.
  • Avoid using sticks or objects to disturb bee hives, remember to remind children of this.
  • Avoid entering densely vegetated areas at night since it is difficult to observe and detect large beehives situated at low areas.
  • For those who keep bees for honey production, ensure proper protection by wearing protective clothing and avoiding exposed skin.
  • If you need to disturb or drive away a bee colony, you can use smoke or fire instead of directly poking or hitting their hive.
  • Maintain cleanliness and remove overgrown tree branches to avoid creating favorable conditions for bees to build hives around your house.
  • Do not run if bees are chasing you.
  • When selecting perfumes or body lotions, be cautious about avoiding sweet fragrances as they may attract bees.
  • When entering the forest, choose clothing that covers your arms, legs, and body, wear a hat with a face veil, closed-toe shoes, and gloves.

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