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2torial #0531:
Learn2 Treat a Bee Sting
Bee not afraid!
Whether you escape to the mountains every weekend or
stay tucked away in a well-manicured backyard, chances
are you'll have a close encounter with a bee a few times
in your life. Bee stings can be painful at best, and
fatal if you're allergic to them. Fortunately, only
four percent of the human population is allergic to
bee stings, which means you probably won't require medical
attention. Even if you're not allergic, you can reduce
the pain and swelling if you respond correctly to this
little trauma.
A bee stinger is one of nature's little wonders:
after a bee stings you and deposits its stinger,
the stinger continues to pump venom into your
bloodstream for up to 20 minutes. A self-contained
unit, the stinger has a barb to pierce your skin, a
venom sac to hold the stuff that stings you, and a
set of muscles to push the barb and venom deeper
into your skin. It even has a hormone that makes
other bees in the area more aggressive and prone to
sting.
Current research indicates that a swift removal
of the stinger is preferable to a more careful
removal that takes even five seconds longer.
Unfortunately, no matter how fast you act, getting
stung will always be painful, and you'll be left
with a big welt to remind you of nature's little
dangers.
Of course, it's better to avoid getting stung in
the first place! When many potential sting victims
see a bee fly near them, they start swinging at it.
Oddly enough, the bee interprets this action as an
aggressive behavior; if it gets half a chance,
it'll probably sting the aggressive person.
Instead, try letting the bee fly around you (yes,
even land on you) and you'll probably watch it fly
away within ten seconds. Try it--you'll be amazed
how well it works. It takes some self-control, but
the pay-off is immediate and satisfying.
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