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Allergic Reaction to bee stings. What is an allergic reaction?. An allergic reaction occurs when we eat certain types of food or take medications that our body does not recognise and fights against them. An allergic reaction can also occur if we are bitten by some insects, especially bees.
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What is an allergic reaction? • An allergic reaction occurs when we eat certain types of food or take medications that our body does not recognise and fights against them. An allergic reaction can also occur if we are bitten by some insects, especially bees. • E.g. Some people have mild reaction and have swollen lips or face after eating food such as crabs. Others can have a severe reaction resulting in difficulty breathing and collapsing.
What are the signs & symptoms? • In a mild reaction you can experience itchiness all over the skin, swollen lips, swollen tongue or even the whole face. • In a severe reaction you can experience dizziness, difficulty breathing, vomiting and unconsciousness.
How can I know if I am allergic to something or not? • There are specialised test that can be done to find out if anyone is allergic to something or not. • We can not do those tests on site at present because they must be done in a hospital setting by specialist medical officers. • Most people know if they are allergic or not to food, drugs, bee stings etc by experience.
Important to remember! • Because we cannot test for allergic reactions on site and most people may not know if they are allergic to something or not, working in remote settings like the Frieda River Project, can be very dangerous.
Risk assessment for allergic reaction during field work • Stings from bees, wasps and hornets pose the greatest risk during field work. • However, mosquito bites, leeches, sand flies and other insects can also cause an allergic reaction. • A FULL RISK ASSESSMENT MUST BE DONE BEFORE ANY FIELD WORK.
Reducing risk during field work • Appropriate PPEs must be worn at all times. • The buddy system must be observed at all times. • Be familiar with the protocol for initiating the emergency response procedure and identify the nearest helipad. • Carry a radio at all times. • Consult site doctor and carry a medical kit containing the following when doing field work: • Insect repellent sprays/ointments. • Phernegan tablets. • Epipen injection or adrenaline injection.
Initiating the emergency response procedure • Use channel XX and call: “Emergency, Emergency, Emergency”. • When the logistic advisor responds, give the following details: • Your name • Your location • Describe the situation • Type of help required
First aid treatment for an allergic reaction to bee sting • Remove the offending agent. In most cases the allergic reaction occurs 10-20 minutes after the bee sting so it won’t be possible. • If you are allergic to bee sting, tell your co-worker that you have been stung by a bee and that you are allergic to bee stings. • Move to the nearest helipad.
Field medical treatment for an allergic reaction to bee sting • If you know you are allergic to bee stings and you are carrying Phernergan tablets, take one tablet as soon as you are stung by the bee. DO NOT TAKE MORE THAN ONE TABLET WITHOUT CONSULTING THE SITE DOCTOR! • Call the site doctor on channel 3 and inform him/her of what happened. • Further course of action will be advised by the site doctor.
When to use Epipen and adrenaline in the field • Epipen and adrenaline injection must be used if the allergic reaction is severe (i.e. dizziness, difficulty breathing, unconsciousness) or on advice from the site doctor over the radio. • Wait 10 minutes after the bee sting and if symptoms begin to appear e.g. feelings of dizziness and nausea then injection medication can be used. • If you know you are allergic to bee stings then: • You can inject yourself with the Epipen or adrenaline injection if you are confident in injecting yourself. • If you are not confident, ask a co-worker who is confident to give you the medication. • Inject the medicine into the front of the thigh muscle.
Conclusion • Allergic reactions can be mild or severe. • Mild reactions are self-limiting and not life-threatening. • Severe reactions are dangerous as it can be fatal. • Being prepared in the field will reduce the risk of fatality.
