10 tips to avoid stinging insects
Here are some tips to help avoid stinging insects. If you do get stung, here's what to expect and when you should see a doctor about it.
Last week, I dispelled common myths related to stinging insects. Given how serious this allergy can be for some kids, it is important to separate the facts from fiction.
Are there ways to detour stinging insects when we spend time outdoors? The following tips can certainly help:
1. Do not drink directly out of open cans or bottles. Wasps can crawl inside these containers and be hidden from view.
2. Keep food and drinks covered.
3. Do not walk barefoot, especially in the grass.
4. Wear light-colored clothing, since bees and wasps are attracted to darker colors.
5. Wear long pants and sleeves, and avoid loose-fitting clothes.
6. Rinse garbage cans and recycling containers and keep lids on them.
7. Keep car windows closed.
8. Know where stinging insects tend to live. They can build nests underground, and can also live in bushes, trees, eaves, attics, patio furniture, mailboxes, and playground equipment.
9. If stinging insects are in the area, back away slowly and avoid sudden movements such as flailing the arms. Abrupt movement can lead to accidental contact with the insects and may increase their attack behavior.
10. Have a professional exterminator remove known nests, and inspect other potential nesting areas.
Most of the time, a sting from an insect will lead to a small reaction that resolves in a few hours. If a child is uncomfortable, a cold compress could be applied. About 10 percent of people will have a larger area of swelling that could last up to 10 days. Children with very large local reactions can be treated with cold compresses and may also need antihistamines if there is bothersome itching. If the swelling is of an arm or leg, it should be elevated.
In rare cases, the swelling might be severe enough to warrant a doctor's visit. Some children might need a short course of steroids, especially if the sting was on the head or neck. Again, this is for comfort not because it is life threatening.
Large local reactions tend to worsen for about 48 hours then gradually get better over several days. If the swelling worsens after day two, the child should be evaluated for possible infection of the skin, which can happen day three or four. (Wasps scavenge for food in trash cans and also eat dead animal material, so they can transfer bacteria onto the skin when they sting someone). Infection is rare though.
In the U.S., approximately 1 percent of children and 3 percent of adults will develop a more severe reaction when stung. If you are worried you or your child may have had a serious reaction to an insect sting, it is important to have an allergy evaluation completed.
Have a question for the Healthy Kids panel? Ask it here. Read more from the Healthy Kids blog »