Insect bites or stings

[PrincessBandit]

recently I did the return trip from Auck to Wanganui and my riding companion got stung in the neck by some suicidal bee. Thankfully it wasn't me as I'd have probably come off my bike with the fright! Made me think though that perhaps a tube of Bonjela or some other numbing stuff might be a good idea to carry in a pocket (small but ever so handy!). I know, someone out there might like to calculate the odds of kamikaze insects that take their revenge as they die hitting you in a tender place like the neck, and it probably is quite low. But you never know when it might happen to you. Anyway, just an idea.

[Nasty]

recently I did the return trip from Auck to Wanganui and my riding companion got stung in the neck by some suicidal bee. Thankfully it wasn't me as I'd have probably come off my bike with the fright! Made me think though that perhaps a tube of Bonjela or some other numbing stuff might be a good idea to carry in a pocket (small but ever so handy!). I know, someone out there might like to calculate the odds of kamikaze insects that take their revenge as they die hitting you in a tender place like the neck, and it probably is quite low. But you never know when it might happen to you. Anyway, just an idea.

Bonjela is for the mouth ain't it ... something like anatheisin works on insect stings.

[yungatart]

I got stung in the neck by a bumble bee a couple of years ago...it felt like an acid burn and was still swollen and itchy 3 weeks later.
I just called in to the pub and got some ice for it tho...

[Usarka]

If you're allergic to bee stings or wasp stings see your doctor and see if you can get a syringe of adrenaline to carry on the bike. Would suck being stung in the neck at 100kph.

if you're not allergic then its a bad day to post because it is KB HTFU day today. you also get hit by stones, ciggarettes, twigs, apples. Harden the fuck up!

hmmmm, adrenaline syringe.... i feel an allergy coming on

[ManDownUnder]

...would suck being stung in the neck at 100kph.

... trust me you're right! If you need it then the ol adrenalin injection etc would be needed (this is beyond my knowledge but you all will know what's needed already I'd hope... and carry it with you).

For those of us that "SWELL" when stung, a sting to the neck can be dangerous and a piece of ice is needed. Gas Station or the nearest house is a good starting point.... and pronto.

[vifferman]

I've been stung only twice by bees when on the bike - the first was test-riding a bike without any gloves on, and a bee hit my hand, and stung me on the knuckle.

Before I got a helmet with a tinted visor a few years ago, I used to always ride with sunglasses on under the helmet, and the visor up. One morning on the way to work, I was only a hundred metres or so up the road, and a bee went in my helmet, hitting me in the nose. It seemed to take forever to pull over, take my gloves off, sunglasses off, undo helmet, take helmet off.

Too late.

Luckily, the bee must've been stunned, and barely stung me, right on the tip of my nose, where the skin's thin over the cartilage. Hardly hurt at all.

I think the worst would have to be wasps - I've only had a run-in with them once, and was stung several times on the back of the neck. Felt like I'd been hit in the neck with a four-by-two.

[Mom]

Getting stung is the worst thing. I employed a mechanic years ago that had the hell allergy to bees. He carried the adrenalin pen at all times. Never forget the time he came back to the workshop gasping and pointing at his pocket!

Yes we got his pen, and yes he got the shot! Far canal, once he recovered I bollicked him big time, his excuse for turning up like that...


I was too close to the shop to stop!

I hate stinging things, have had the trusty hornet inside my helmet before today, thankfully never been stung.

If not allergic then ice is the way to go as others have said. If you really want to provide for this kind of emergency, carry a tube of anthistan cream with you. Works well for wasp stings that go on, and on, and on!

[magicfairy]

Get some "stingose" gel or cream from chemist.
Carry with you.
Apply as soon as you get insect bite, sting and it will greatly reduce the reaction. Must be applied ASAP and every couple of hours after that. It actually stops the reaction that causes the swelling, itchiness.

[PrincessBandit]

if you're not allergic then its a bad day to post because it is KB HTFU day today. you also get hit by stones, ciggarettes, twigs, apples. Harden the fuck up!

Yep, had stones flick up into my neck too. No apples though, hmmmmmmm. And I wasn't aware that it was HTFU day, I'll keep that in mind lol Don't want to harden up too much though, might sprout a pair of balls and I wouldn't want that to happen!

[Katman]

Just wait till they find out who the 'riding companion' was. Any ounce of sympathy will evapourate in a heartbeat.

[Kickaha]

Would suck being stung in the neck at 100kph.

It sucks at 160kph as well

[sunhuntin]

honey works well for bee stings.
ive been got three times now while riding. one was in paeroa when i went into town. pressed my leg against the tank and got stung [what the hell a bee was doing up that late ill never know!]
second was at about 100k, bee flew into the helmet padding. went to flick it out and it stung my second finger. ever tried pulling a brake with essentially only one finger!
third one got stuck in my jacket collar. turned my head at a giveway and it got me.
also had one flew up inside the full face i was wearing. major panic... pull over gloves off, sit wondering how to remove lid. in the end just opened the visor and it found its own way out. bees are HUGE when they are inside a helmet with you!

each time ive applied honey and the swelling has reduced hugely and no itching.

[Renegade]

honey works well for bee stings.
ive been got three times now while riding. one was in paeroa when i went into town. pressed my leg against the tank and got stung [what the hell a bee was doing up that late ill never know!]
second was at about 100k, bee flew into the helmet padding. went to flick it out and it stung my second finger. ever tried pulling a brake with essentially only one finger!
third one got stuck in my jacket collar. turned my head at a giveway and it got me.
also had one flew up inside the full face i was wearing. major panic... pull over gloves off, sit wondering how to remove lid. in the end just opened the visor and it found its own way out. bees are HUGE when they are inside a helmet with you!

each time ive applied honey and the swelling has reduced hugely and no itching.

is that a no to the bonjella and a yes to the jar of honey??

[Steam]

Here's a quote from my motorcycle touring blog, when about a month ago I got 261 bites. No stings thankfully.

oooh! I hate bitey things!
I have got 161 bite marks. One Hundred and Sixty One.
I actually think I counted 261, but then I couldn't quite believe it and couldn't be bothered counting again so 161 is conservative. I have at least 161 bites. But probably 261.

Mostly on my feet and legs, must've been something leaping up from the grass or something, rather than mosquitos, who you'd think would bite generally everywhere.
Now I am itching madly! And trying not to itch the bites.
I will go to the chemist and buy some vitamin B1 maybe. Or just eat lots of Marmite. Repellent just isn't cutting it.

Tuesday: A new kind of bug bit me during the night and I now have six big lumps. The lumps are yellow and a few inches across and one of them is blistered. Yuk! But they are just itchy, not painful, so it's not dangerous.

DAMN BUGS! What am I doing wrong? Maybe I just need to stop sleeping in a tent.

[sunhuntin]

is that a no to the bonjella and a yes to the jar of honey??

im not sure that bonjella works outside the mouth, and honey on really works on bee stings. youd be better to get one of the thingys suggested above that you use right after the sting and that stops all the symptoms of a sting. the one magicfairy suggested.