Bee Sting: a Day at the Beach Gone Horribly Awry

1. Bee Sting: a Day at the Beach Gone Horribly Awry By Alisa Fay

2. Non-allergic bee sting • A person who is not allergic to bee venom has a very different response to someone that is • The immune system deals with the venom like it would do to any antigen • Causes redness and swelling at injection site when white blood cells migrate

3. Treatment • Pull out stinger • Compress with an ice pack to reduce swelling • Within minutes pain is gone • Within a day swelling is gone • No long-term affect

4. To an allergic individual, this sting can be much more severe!

5. Stages of an Allergic Reaction: Basophil • Sensitization • Activation of mast cells • Prolonged Immune Activity

6. 1. Sensitization • The first time a person is introduced to the allergen, like the venom of a bee, there are no symptoms

7. The immune system deals with the invaders like it would do with any other • Macrophages engulf them and become antigen-presenting cells • Helper T cells identify antigen and show B cells • B cells produce plasma and memory cells

9. Plasma cells secrete allergen-specific molecules called immunoglobulin (IgE) • attach to receptors on mast cells in tissues and on basophils in blood

10. The first encounter produces no symptoms -it just primes the immune system by making the IgE antibodies • They will react with the allergen in the next exposure

11. 2. Activation of Mast Cells • When the antigen is exposed to the body again, it binds to the IgE molecules on the basophils and mast cells • When it engages at least two of them, the molecules activate the cell • The cell releases cytokines, including histamine

12. The histamine released can cause the following symptoms, depending on how much is released: • Stimulate the production of mucous which constricts the airway • Smooth muscles to contact, which surround the bronchioles • Dilate small blood vessels and increase their permeability (redness and swelling)

13. 3. Prolonged Immune Activity • Activated mast cells lure basophils and eosinophils from the circulation to the tissues • These white blood cells release substances that prolong the allergy symptoms and may injure the tissue

14. Anaphylactic Shock • When a person comes in contact with the allergen for the second time, the mast cells release the mediator chemicals (histamine, etc.) in large amounts • These chemicals can spread throughout the body, causing anaphylaxis (the disturbance of organs not directly in contact with the infection)

16. Symptoms • Drop in blood pressure • Dizziness • Loss of consciousness • Heart attack • Swelling of lips and tongue • Can affect swallowing and breathing • Swelling of larynx • Can cause suffocation • Constriction of lower airways • Wheezing • Nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhea • Skin eruptions • hives

17. Treatment • Injection of epinephrine • Inhibits mediator release • Opens airways • Stops dilation of blood vessels • If the person doesn’t have an EpiPen, death could occur within minutes

18. Antihistamines • Drug that blocks histamine receptor sites • Stops the allergic symptoms from occurring • Can come in tablet, chewable tablet, capsule and liquid form • Common antihistamines include Benadryl and Claritin