The photo accompanying this story is, of course, wildly exaggerated. It is reminiscent of Hitchcock’s The Birds – only with bees instead of crows. In reality, no swarm of insects ever attacks cyclists. Nevertheless, sometimes a single insect and an ill-chosen flight path are enough to turn a training ride into an emergency.
That’s exactly what happened to our photo editor, Wolfgang Papp.
He was out on his road bike when a bee or wasp flew straight into his mouth. Reflexes over reason: hands up, panic, swerving the handlebars. The cyclist in his slipstream only just managed to avoid his erratic path. Wolfgang swatted the insect out again, but it stung him. A blessing in disguise: Wolfgang didn’t have an allergic reaction. The swelling remained moderate.
But a stinging sensation in the mouth or throat is no trivial matter. It can be dangerous – even for people without allergies.
What should you do if a bee or wasp flies into your mouth?
1. Stop immediately
The biggest enemy is not the insect, but panic.
If you wave your arms about frantically or brake without looking, you risk falling. So: keep your eyes on the road or trail, pull over to the right in a controlled manner and stop. If you’re in a group, give a quick warning or a hand signal.
2. Getting rid of the insect
Do not swallow.
Cough it up, spit it out, rinse it out – anything is better than letting it travel down your throat. If it’s still in your mouth, you can gently help it along with your fingers. Be careful not to squeeze it, though. A trapped insect will often sting even more.
3. Every minute counts after the shot
A stinging sensation in the mouth or throat is considered a medical emergency.
The greatest danger is not the poison, but the swelling of the airways.
So, right away:
- drink cold water or hold it in your mouth
- Suck on ice cubes, if available
- Keep your upper body upright
- Dial the emergency number 112 or get help
Even people with no known allergies should not take any risks in this regard.
Is there any way to protect yourself?
To be honest: hardly at all.
Tips such as ‘keeping your mouth shut’ or cycling with a buff over your mouth and nose work in theory. In practice, nobody does that – at the very latest by the first climb.
One tip is worth bearing in mind, though: take a quick look at the valve on your water bottle before every sip. Wasps like to use water bottles as a resting place in summer, especially if they contain chilled drinks or fruit juice spritzers.
The likelihood of a wasp flying into your mouth whilst cycling is low. Unfortunately, the likelihood of reacting incorrectly at that very moment is high.
And that’s exactly why it’s worth being prepared. After all, Hitchcock-style moments are far less entertaining on a bike than they are at the cinema.
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
