Toxicity
Symptoms following bee sting or apamin poisoning may include:
- local effects: burning or stinging pain, swelling, redness.
- severe systemic reactions: swelling of the tongue and throat, difficulty breathing, and shock.
- development of optic neuritis and atrophy.
- atrial fibrillation, cerebral infarction, acute myocardial infarction, Fisher's syndrome, acute inflammatory polyradiculopathy (Guillain-Barre syndrome), claw hand (through a central action of apamin on the spinal cord and a peripheral action in the form of median and ulnar neuritis, causing spasms of the long flexors in the forearm).
- dramatic haemorrhagic effect in the lungs.
Patients poisoned with bee venom can be treated with anti-inflammatory medication, antihistamines and oral prednisolone.
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