Unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids are hepatotoxic, that is, damaging to the liver. PAs also cause hepatic veno-occlusive disease and liver cancer. PAs are tumorigenic. Disease associated with consumption of PAs is known as pyrrolizidine alkaloidosis.
The venom is what causes the symptoms. The main symptoms are pain, itching, swelling and redness at the sting site. Severe pain or burning at the site lasts 1 to 2 hours. Itching often follows the pain. Swelling. The bee sting may swell for 48 hours after the sting. The swelling can be small or large.
Many doctors recommend using a hard object like a credit card or blunt knife to swipe over the area and remove the stinger. The honey bee venom sack, which remains in the skin of the victim, can take 2 to 3 minutes to release all of its venom, so prompt removal of the stinger can reduce the severity of the sting. Home remedies include applying ice or cold packs to the area to reduce the body's inflammatory response.