Bee Sting
The stingers of bees and wasps are connected to venom glands. When stinging a person, they inject venom into the skin, causing both local and systemic symptoms. After a bee sting, localized redness and swelling appear along with pain, which usually subsides within a few hours. If the stinger remains in the wound, localized suppuration may occur. The venom of wasps is more potent; their stings cause pronounced local pain and swelling and may lead to systemic symptoms, although wasp stings usually do not leave stingers in the wound. Multiple stings from a swarm may result in severe symptoms, including skin redness and swelling, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, facial edema, respiratory distress, restlessness, coma, shock, or even death.
When a bee sting occurs, the stinger is preferably removed, and the area may be rinsed with a weak alkaline solution (such as 3% ammonia, 2%–3% sodium bicarbonate solution, or soapy water). The site of a wasp sting may be rinsed with a weak acid solution or covered with gauze soaked in vinegar. For severe local symptoms, local infiltration anesthesia and analgesics may be used, such as 1 ml of 3% emetine dissolved in 5 ml of sterile water, injected at the sting site.
In cases of severe systemic symptoms after a bee sting, appropriate emergency treatment is warranted. In cases of allergic reactions, antihistamines such as promethazine or diphenhydramine may be administered, along with corticosteroids. If respiratory distress is present, the airway should be kept clear, and oxygen may be provided. In the event of shock, anti-shock treatment should be initiated.
Scorpion Sting
Scorpion venom is a neurotoxin that can cause both local and systemic reactions. A scorpion sting results in localized redness, swelling, pain, and blister formation at the sting site, and in some cases, localized tissue necrosis. Systemic symptoms include restlessness, headache, dizziness, fever, salivation, and abdominal pain. Severe cases may present with rapid breathing, pulmonary edema, and gastrointestinal bleeding. After a scorpion sting, local cold compresses may be applied, and the limb may be bandaged proximally to reduce venom spread. Oral and topical snakebite tablets are sometimes used. After disinfection, the wound may be opened under local anesthesia to remove any retained sting fragments. The wound may then be rinsed with a weak alkaline solution or potassium permanganate solution. Injection of 1 ml of 3% emetine dissolved in 5 ml of sterile water at the sting site may be administered. In severe systemic cases, fluid replacement, corticosteroids, intramuscular injection of anti-scorpion venom serum, and supportive symptomatic treatment may be provided. If local tissue necrosis or infection is present, antibiotics may be used.
Centipede Bite
When a centipede bites, its venom can damage local tissues and trigger allergic reactions. The first pair of pincers on the head of a centipede contains venom glands, which release venom when the centipede bites, resulting in local redness, lymphadenitis, and lymphangitis. Large centipedes release more venom, and young children may experience more severe symptoms, including chills, fever, nausea, vomiting, delirium, coma, and, in severe cases, death. After a centipede bite, the wound may be washed with an alkaline solution, and a ring block with 0.25% procaine may be performed around the wound. Oral and topical application of Nantong snakebite tablets may be used. If local tissue necrosis, infection, or lymphangitis develops, antibiotics may be added.
Poison Spider Bite
A poison spider bite may cause allergic reactions or even death. The venom of these spiders contains neurotoxic proteins. The bite itself may not cause pain, but the toxin may lead to both local damage and systemic reactions. Treatment is similar to that of a scorpion sting. In cases of severe muscle spasms, neostigmine or curare antidotes may be administered.