Deadly flooding from Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina has disturbed the underground nests of yellow jackets, bees and other insects, causing them to swarm and sting people who have difficulty recovering the storm.
It has caused such a large increase in requests for medications to protect people allergic to stings that the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is purchasing Benadryl and epinephrine injections to fill requests through hospitals, emergency medical personnel and doctors to help fulfill.
Pharmacists in the state can also provide emergency refills for people already prescribed allergy medications, according to a spokesperson for the state health department. The state plans to allow people to buy epinephrine injections like EpiPens without a prescription, and is working to collect and distribute drug donations.
Although most people are not allergic to stings from bees and other insects, irritation and pain can be intense and stings can swell and remain painful for days, according to the Mayo Clinic. And some people may have a severe allergic reaction that can lead to anaphylaxis, which can cause breathing difficulties, swelling of the tongue and throat, weak pulse and loss of consciousness. In these situations, it is critical to administer epinephrine immediately.
Being stabbed more than a dozen times can also cause a build-up of poison in the body, which can cause serious illness, including dizziness, fever, convulsions or vomiting.
To reduce the risk of stings, experts recommend wearing long, light-colored clothing with a smooth finish, avoiding perfumes, smelly soaps and deodorants.
If there is even one stinging insect nearby, they recommend staying calm and quiet and not hitting it. But if different stitchesthey say it is better to quickly go indoors or to a shady area. When they sting, bees release a chemical that attracts other bees.
