Fatal reactions from stings from bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets are usually because adrenaline was not used or not used quickly enough.
Children with these allergies should:
- wear medical alert identification (bracelet, badge)
- carry a medical kit with emergency adrenalin eg. Epi-pen and instructions (especially on field trips). Learn how to administer an EpiPen.
Parents/ Guardians and Schools can help children avoid the insect by:
- Checking for and removing nests or hives of stinging insects
- Making sure garbage and recycling are kept in covered containers
- Teaching children to wear shoes outdoors and to eat/drink indoors
- Teaching children to avoid areas where the insect is found, eg. fields of clover, flower gardens or fruit trees
For a child who has never had an allergic reaction to an insect sting:
- Watch for difficulty breathing, swelling around mouth or lips and anaphylaxis.
- Any child with multiple stings or stings around the eyes, nose or throat
may need emergency treatment. Call 911. - For non-serious stings, treatment may include applying ice and/or aluminum-hydrate containing antiperspirant to the site.
Facts about Insects:
Honey bees and yellow jackets
- Only sting once
- You can flick out the stinger rather than pinching it, as squeezing it may inject more venom
Wasps and hornets
- Do not lose their stingers and may sting more than once
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