Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Bee Sting
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Any sting from a bee to a human being.
What are the causes and risks of the injury?
Bee stings can occur any time and place that bees are active. In general, bees are active when the temperature is above freezing. Bees are most often found in wooded areas in the spring, summer, and fall but may also live in more settled areas. Bees and wasps like to build their nests around trees and other brush but may also do so on the eaves of houses.
Symptoms & Signs
What are the signs and symptoms of the injury?
Possible symptoms include:
Diagnosis & Tests
How is the injury recognized?
Most people feel a bee sting and often even see the bees or wasps that sting them.
Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the injury?
If you know that bees, wasps, or their nests are in an area, try to avoid them. Avoid actions that agitate or irritate a group of bees or wasps in or around their nests.
Treatment & Monitoring
What are the treatments for the injury?
For most people who are stung, the only problems will be swelling and
pain. Ice compresses can help relieve these symptoms. Over-the-counter medicines
such as
What are the side effects of the treatments?
What happens after treatment for the injury?
In most people, the swelling and redness at the injury site will resolve within a week. There may be times when the site becomes itchy, but the person should try to avoid scratching. No unusual side effects should occur after this.
Attribution
Author:James Broomfield, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:02/11/02
Reviewer:Sandy Keefe, RN, MSN
Date Reviewed:02/11/02