Triumphrat

FattRat · 06-20-2006

You're on a ride, and somebody gets stung by a bee.........

I've since discovered that people with NO PRIOR HISTORY of reacting to bee stings, CAN suddenly.

I've also heard (wive's tale?) that if you chew up a couple three/four Benedryl, that one can reduce swelling that may occur. I need to be apprised of what the facts are..... ANYBODY?

I watched a guy slip into anopholactic shock (sp) from a bee sting a few weekends ago. An ambulance had to be summoned and it was pretty sobering. He was wearing a cute little beanie helmet, black vest with a t-shirt, and fingerless gloves..... got stung in the eyebrow.

(Yet another reason to wear a full-face helmet (closed), and a long sleeve mesh jacket (zipped to the neck), and full gloves.)

Nightwatchman · 06-20-2006

Yes, you can go into anaphylactic shock without any prior exposure. No, there is no evidence to show ANY prophylactic use of anti-histamines will reduce the chances of that happening.

Doc_Hollywood · 06-20-2006

that's right.

The only sure fire way to stop a reaction like that is with an epi pen. You can't get them without a script, and your doc won't give you one if you are not currently allergic. You just have to hope the ambulance makes it.....

dawgfan · 06-20-2006

Hey Fatt,

That is what happened to our friend on the ride. He was wearing full gear but I think he had his vest zipped down a bit. Within 15 minutes of being stung, he was having obvious reactions, i.e. itching, shaking, inside of his mouth getting puffy. He said he had never been allergic to these bites before.

I did an immediate search on my handheld GPS and the closest "country store" (that was IT) was over 25 miles away.

We called 911 and they sent an ambulance from about 10 miles away. They got there in time to start treating him and to get him to the emergency room.

This really opened my eyes to riding by myself. If I had been in his shoes but by myself, I would have had to stand in the road and wave a car down, or call 911 alone and hope for the best.

I believe they gave him Benadryl and eventually the side effects faded away but it took several hours.

Just a few hours earlier I had gotten a bug in my helmet that started crawling around my ear and head while I was in some twisties. When I was able to stop (without getting lost by the group), I pulled my helmet off and out dropped a beatle....I was lucky I guess.

doctorjay · 06-20-2006

Everyone is on target with these replies.
1) call 911 at the first sign of a reaction, especially if there is a history of problems in the past. Wait for the ambulance.
2) Ice the area to slow absorption of the venom.
3) Epi pen is life saving but only buys you about a 30-60 minute window to get to the ER. This should be used with caution and only for problems breathing.
4) You bet Benadryl helps...Take at the first opportunity.
5) learn CPR and get a first aid kit for you bike.

Hope this helps.

FattRat · 06-20-2006

Thank you, thank you, and thank you.

HiVel · 06-20-2006

Having a propensity for these types of reactions I have learned from an EMT that Liquid Benadryl (even childrens strength) is much faster reacting in your system than pills even if you chew them. Don't ask me how I learned this fact but it works for me. I usually carry the pills and/or some "juice" with me at all times. Make sure the stuff is in date-time flys and you want the drug to be as fresh as possible if you need it. Be careful out there. I usually become very sleepy after a dose of antihistamine-another caution for the wonder drug. Get professional treatment as soon as you can!!!