Their venoms are highly complex chemical cocktails combining multiple small protein molecules, enzymes and nerve agents. Protein-destroying polypeptide enzymes rupture the flesh and destroy blood cells, while histamines increase blood flow, flushing the venom further into the body, causing swelling and redness. Neurotransmitters confuse and over-stimulate nerves, creating not only the stabbing or burning sensation, but also throbbing and numbness.<\/p>\n

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<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
The venom itself is remarkably toxic. A single sting may inject only 15\u00b5g (that\u2019s 1\/65,000 of a gram) of poison, and yet it still really hurts. Half a dozen stings and most people need a sit down with a cup of tea. Multiple stings can cause alarming swelling, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and confusion. Anybody receiving 100 stings should urgently seek medical attention to prevent kidney or liver damage from the venom circulating in the blood.<\/p>\n
Can bee or wasp stings cause death?<\/h2>\n
There is no anti-venom like those used to treat snake bites, but dialysis can remove the toxins and stabilise a patient. An average adult weighing 60\u201380kg would be lucky to survive 1,000 stings and there are regular reports of deaths beyond 1,200. Most people on the receiving end of multiple stings are rural farm-workers in underdeveloped nations who stumble upon a nest and cannot get away to find shelter.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, anaphylactic shock is extremely rare. Such a huge, overwhelming response by the body\u2019s immune system, with its massive release of histamines and other inflammatory proteins, causes breathing difficulties, low blood pressure, interference with the heart muscles and internal bleeding. It can be fatal without immediate medical intervention \u2013 usually an adrenaline injection. But many more people get anaphylaxis from foods such as peanuts or from drugs, including penicillin, than from wasp stings.<\/span><\/p>\n
Which species of bees and wasps have the most painful stings?<\/h2>\n
US entomologist Justin Schmidt formulated a pain index while studying the biology of stinging insects.<\/i><\/p>\n
Pain level 4<\/h3>\n
Excruciating agony \u2013 shocking, fierce.<\/strong>\nPain that makes you just want to lie down and scream. Tarantula hawk (a large spider-hunting wasp, family Pompylidae), bullet ant, Paraponera clavata<\/i> (below<\/i>), and warrior wasp, Synoeca septemtrionalis<\/i>. \u201cLike walking over flaming charcoal with a three-inch nail embedded in your heel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pain level 3<\/h3>\n
Very strong pain that can last up to half an hour. Paper wasps (Polistes<\/i> species), velvet ants (family Mutillidae, actually furry wingless wasps), very large bull (Myrmecia<\/i>) or harvester (Pogonomyrmex<\/i>) ants. \u201cAfter eight unrelenting hours of drilling into that ingrown toenail, you find the drill wedged into the toe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pain level 2<\/h3>\n
Sudden stabbing pain, giving way to an aching throb. Honeybee, Apis mellifera<\/i>, bumblebees (Bombus<\/i> species), social wasps (Vespula and Dolichovespul<\/i>a species) and American bald-faced hornet, Dolichovespula maculata<\/i>. \u201cHot and smoky, almost irreverent. Imagine WC Fields extinguishing a cigar on your tongue.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
pain level 1<\/h3>\n
Any pain is minor and short-lived, lasting five minutes or less. Sweat bees (small Halictus<\/i> and Lasioglossum<\/i> species) and red ants such as Solenopsis<\/i> and Myrmica<\/i> species. \u201cLight, ephemeral\u2026 a tiny spark has singed a single hair on your arm.\u201d<\/p>\n
How to treat a bee or wasp sting<\/h2>\n
Seek immediate medical attention for stings inside the mouth or throat (which might cause an airway blockage), for multiple stings that cause serious swelling, or if you suffer strong allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock.<\/i><\/p>\n
Otherwise\u2026<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
\u00a0Make sure that the entire sting is removed from the skin \u2013 use fine forceps or scrape with a knife edge. Don\u2019t use finger and thumb.<\/li>\n
Wash the wound using plenty of soap and water. \u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
\u00a0<\/span>Apply a cold compress \u2013 either a wet flannel or ice-pack.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
Do not scratch \u2013 this just encourages infection.<\/li>\n
Rub in anti-histamine cream if you\u2019re susceptible to redness and swelling.<\/li>\n
Don\u2019t bother with balsamic vinegar, baking power, cucumber slices, onion pieces or other half-baked folk remedies.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>How to avoid being stung<\/h2>\n
Do not deliberately aggravate wasps or bees, or pick one up between finger and thumb.<\/li>\n
Do not swat a wasp visiting your food. This releases a pheromone scent attracting nest-mates.<\/li>\n
Do not flap or flail \u2013 this just scares and alarms them more. Try to stay calm!<\/li>\n
Move well away from the nest that you have almost certainly approached, even if inadvertently.<\/li>\n
Enjoy watching wasps and bees visiting flowers peacefully. They\u2019ll ignore you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

\n
\n
What was first \u2013 the bee or the flower?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
The world\u2019s largest bee rediscovered by scientists<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
Bumblebee guide: why they\u2019re fluffy, where they nest, and how to help them<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p><\/div> <\/section> <\/body><\/html>\n
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Which species of bees and wasps have the most painful stings?<\/h2>\nUS entomologist Justin Schmidt formulated a pain index while studying the biology of stinging insects.<\/i><\/p>\n

Which species of bees and wasps have the most painful stings?<\/h2>\n
US entomologist Justin Schmidt formulated a pain index while studying the biology of stinging insects.<\/i><\/p>\n