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Venomous Stings – What You Need to Know
Your Weekly Prompt to the Science of Skin and Success.
DFPC Team
March 13, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
Welcome back, DERM Community!
Did you know that wasps, bees, and ants cause more deaths in the U.S. than any other venomous creature? Whether it's a single sting or a swarm attack, knowing what to do can save a life!
Imagine, for a moment, a patient like Sarah. A weekend gardener, healthy and active, who barely noticed the sting on her arm. Just a sharp pinch, a fleeting discomfort.
But within minutes, her body told a different story—her chest tightened, her skin flushed, and her breath became shallow. What seemed like a harmless encounter with nature quickly spiraled into a medical emergency.
Venomous stings and bites can be life-threatening, with bees, wasps, and ants causing more deaths in the U.S. than snakes or spiders.
Severe reactions often start subtly—a bit of swelling or redness—before escalating into a medical emergency.
Today, we dive into the science of venomous stings and the key warning signs clinicians must recognize.
Because in emergency medicine, knowledge isn’t just power—it’s survival.
Featured on This Week’s Chapter:
Let’s explore VENOM
From the sharp sting of a wasp to the burning bite of fire ants, venom is a complex mix of bioactive compounds that trigger pain, inflammation, and—at worst—life-threatening allergic reactions.
Let’s take a closer look at the creatures behind the sting before we address the constitution of their venom:
Now that we’ve examined the fascinating creatures responsible for the sting, it’s time to break down what makes their venom so potent.
Their venom is a complex cocktail of bioactive compounds, each playing a distinct role in triggering the body’s response. From swelling and pain to tissue damage and nerve activation, these components work together to create the sting’s full effect.
Let’s explore the key players behind this biochemical reaction:
While venom composition determines the body’s reaction, the severity of a sting can vary widely depending on individual sensitivity, the amount of venom injected, and even the species responsible.
Reactions range from mild redness and swelling to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
To help you better understand these effects, we've put together infographics that break down the key components of venom, how they impact the skin, and what to do in case of a sting:
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Whether you want to hand it over to your patients to help them manage stings and know when to seek care, or keep it handy as a quick reference for clinical management, this resource breaks down the science behind venomous stings and their impact on the skin.
Want to master the diagnosis and treatment of bites, stings, and infestations?
Our course covers everything you need to know + an in-depth treatment segment.
Check it out here!
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👋🏻 See you next Thursday, DERM community!
Thanks for tuning in to Beneath the Surface!
Bites and stings aren’t just annoying—they can cause real skin reactions that patients need help with. By staying informed, we can diagnose, treat, and educate more effectively. Let’s keep learning, keep sharing, and keep making a difference together!
If you’d like for us to go deeper in specific topics, feel free to comment! We’d love to bring you content you find interesting and necessary!
Excellence in patient care starts with a commitment to learning and growth
— The Derm for Primary Care Team
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