Wasp and bee 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.
The venom itself is remarkably toxic. A single sting may inject only 15µg (that’s 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.
Can bee or wasp stings cause death?
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 60–80kg 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.
Bee vs wasp: what's the difference between these two stinging insects?
Thankfully, anaphylactic shock is extremely rare. Such a huge, overwhelming response by the body’s 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 – usually an adrenaline injection. But many more people get anaphylaxis from foods such as peanuts or from drugs, including penicillin, than from wasp stings.
