Carpenter Bee Stings: What to Do?
The best way to treat a Carpenter Bee sting is with an antivenom. Antivenoms are medicines used to prevent or cure various diseases. There are two types of antivenoms: injectable and topical. An injection contains a small amount of medicine which is injected into the body through a needle. A topical medication is applied directly onto the affected area, usually on the skin itself (skin grafting). Both types of antivenoms have different side effects.
Injections of antivenom are not recommended for children under three years old because they may develop allergic reactions to the medicine. Children over three years old should receive an injection if they experience any symptoms from a Carpenter Bee sting. If a child does not get an injection within five minutes after being stung, then it is better to seek medical attention immediately instead of waiting until later when the pain becomes unbearable.
Antivenom is available at most pharmacies. You can buy antivenom online from many sources such as Amazon, eBay, and other websites. However, it is always better to go to your local pharmacy where you will be able to ask them for the right type of antivenom for your situation.
Antivenom Side effects
Serious allergic reactions
Life-threatening anaphylaxis may occur immediately after the injection. This occurs more often in people who have a history of severe allergic reactions to insect bites or stings. If you notice breathing problems, itching, swelling, dizziness, or paleness after receiving an antivenom shot, seek medical attention immediately.
Sources & references used in this article:
Allergens in hymenoptera venom XII: how much protein is in a sting by DR Hoffman, RS Jacobson – Ann Allergy, 1984 – researchgate.net
Recognition, management, and prevention of hymenopteran stings and allergic reactions in travelers by JH Diaz – Journal of travel medicine, 2009 – academic.oup.com
Carpenter Bees by NN Troxclair, ME Merchant – Texas FARMER Collection, 2001 – oaktrust.library.tamu.edu
Carpenter Bees by NL Breisch, TA Horner, CE Mall, BL Thorne – 1998 – drum.lib.umd.edu
Get Rid of Carpenter Bees? Yes, Please! by G Alpert, M Frye – 2015 – ecommons.cornell.edu
A method and apparatus for treating a bees nest by H Acevedo – US Patent App. 13/887,341, 2014 – Google Patents
