An insect stinger is a sharp organ used to inject venom. Unlike wasps and bumblebees, which have smooth stingers allowing them to sting repeatedly, honey bees have barbed stingers. These become lodged in the skin, causing the stinger, venom sac, and sometimes parts of their internal organs to detach from the bee’s body. This means the honey bee dies after stinging, but leaves a persistent venom delivery system behind.
Persistent Venom Delivery
When a honey bee stinger remains embedded, it functions as a venom delivery system. The stinger, even after detaching from the bee, is typically still connected to the venom sac. This sac contains muscles and nerves that continue to contract independently, pumping venom into the victim’s body. This continuous action means the longer the stinger stays, the greater the amount of venom injected, as the venom, composed of various proteins, enzymes, and peptides, is steadily released through its hollow shaft. Immediate removal of the stinger is recommended to minimize the total venom dose received.
Local Site Reactions and Infection Risk
Leaving a stinger embedded prolongs and intensifies localized reactions at the sting site. The continuous influx of venom means that symptoms like pain, swelling, redness, and itching become more pronounced and last longer. This sustained exposure irritates the surrounding tissues, exacerbating the inflammatory response. An embedded stinger introduces a heightened risk of secondary bacterial infection. The stinger creates an open wound, providing a direct pathway for bacteria to enter the body. This foreign body can also hinder the natural healing process, making the area more susceptible to microbial colonization, with signs of infection including increasing warmth around the sting site, spreading redness, significant pus formation, and potentially a fever.
Widespread Allergic Responses
The continued delivery of venom from an unremoved stinger significantly elevates the total venom dose, with serious implications for systemic allergic reactions. For individuals allergic to bee venom or sensitized, this increased exposure can trigger or worsen a widespread allergic response, known as anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening reaction affecting multiple body systems. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include difficulty breathing, hives or rashes spreading beyond the sting site, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, a rapid or weak pulse, dizziness, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and gastrointestinal issues such as nausea or abdominal cramps. While not every sting results in such a severe reaction, the presence of the stinger and the ongoing venom infusion increase the risk and potential severity for susceptible individuals.