What to do if bitten by a bumblebee. Why are bumblebee bites dangerous, first aid? Does a bumblebee leave a sting or not?

Bumblebees, along with bees, belong to beneficial insects. They pollinate plants. By nature they are peaceful creatures. However, like many other inhabitants of the animal world, in dangerous situation they defend their home quite aggressively.

Important! Only female bumblebees can bite people. The verb “bite” is used conditionally, since the bumblebee releases poison through its sting, which is where the unpleasant sensations begin.

What to do after a bite

The poison poses the greatest danger to allergy sufferers. The main signs of an allergic reaction:

  1. Swelling, redness and itching spreading from the wound to healthy areas of the skin;
  2. Rash all over the body;
  3. Nausea and vomiting;
  4. Dizziness;
  5. Shortness of breath, lack of oxygen;
  6. Pain when swallowing;
  7. Heartburn attack;
  8. Convulsions and loss of consciousness;
  9. At the most severe stage, anaphylactic shock is possible - a pathological condition caused by the repeated entry of an allergen into the body. In this case, immediate hospitalization is required.

With such symptoms, you cannot treat yourself, qualified assistance Only a doctor can provide this. If an allergic reaction is not observed, then you can do without medical help.

Worth noting! Regardless of the presence or absence of an allergic reaction, children, pregnant and lactating women, as well as people who have been bitten in the neck, mouth and eyes need mandatory medical examination.

After a bumblebee bite, it is forbidden to touch or scratch the wound. It is forbidden to kill an insect. A crushed bumblebee releases an active enzyme that attracts its flock. This can provoke a massive attack of a bumblebee colony on a person. Do not drink alcohol or take sleeping pills. In addition, there is no need to take hot shower, bath or go to the sauna. Vasodilation entails the active spread of toxins throughout the body. Also, you should not try to relieve the burning sensation using non-sterile means at hand, as there is a risk of blood poisoning.

First aid at home

If a person receives a bumblebee bite, what to do at home:

  1. Initial examination for the presence of a sting. If it remains in the skin, then you need to take tweezers, sterilize it and carefully remove it. Doing this procedure with your hands is prohibited, as it can cause infection. In addition, it is not always possible to grab a small sting with your fingers the first time; this can cause it to go even deeper under the skin.
  2. In the place where the bumblebee stung, it is necessary to antiseptic treatment(peroxide, Miramistin, iodine) to remove all possible contaminants.
  3. In order to remove pain and redness, it is recommended to apply a cold compress or ice. Exposure to cold slows down the movement of blood, so bumblebee venom diffuses more slowly throughout the body.
  4. In order to draw out bumblebee venom from the body, apply a piece of sugar moistened with water to the bite site.
  5. Regardless of whether there is an allergy or not, for preventive purposes you need to take antihistamines such as Suprastin, Zodak and others.
  6. Bumblebee venom releases toxins in the human body. To remove them, it is necessary to increase fluid intake ( clean water) up to 2-3 liters per day. In addition, you need to replace your usual drinks with green and chamomile tea, as well as freshly squeezed juices. These drinks speed up the removal of toxins from the body.

In most cases, these measures are quite sufficient. The first bright symptoms of a bumblebee bite disappear after 3-4 days. At this point, treatment for the bite can be stopped. But in some cases, recovery is delayed, so additional measures have to be taken.

Best Treatments

If discomfort does not go away after being bitten by a bumblebee, what can you do at home to relieve the painful condition? You can heal a wound in the eye area with a compress from a tea bag. A fresh tea bag is poured with boiling water, taken out of the mug and cooled to a comfortable temperature. Then apply it to the bite site. The tea leaves not only relieves itching and burning, but also removes swelling. You can get rid of irritation using skin-soothing decoctions based on calendula and chamomile. Dried flowers are poured with boiling water and infused. Then the natural fabric is dipped in the infusion and applied to the wound. In addition, the infusion can be taken orally as a sedative.

There are many recipes for treating a bumblebee bite:

  • Compress of finely chopped onions;
  • Applying crushed plantain leaves to the skin (crushing is necessary so that the plant juice penetrates the skin better);
  • Rubbing the wound with an infusion of lemon juice and vodka (1 tbsp. fresh juice leave for 200 ml of vodka for several hours);
  • Lubricating the skin with honey and squeezed garlic (1:1);
  • You can soothe your skin with olive oil;
  • Applying a compress of grated potatoes, cucumber and apple;
  • Aloe pulp compress. Cut off fresh leaf remove the thick peel from the plant and apply the soft tissue to the wound;
  • Baking soda diluted with water to a paste;
  • Milk ice removes swelling and soothes;
  • Rinse the wound under running water cold water and spread with a banana (it is better to take an overripe fruit, it has a soft texture). The procedure must be repeated every 2 hours;
  • A compress of dandelion leaves removes redness. The sheet is washed with water and applied to the affected area, fixed with a cloth or bandage. After 2-3 hours, the compress needs to be renewed. Exposure time: until redness disappears skin. In addition to dandelion, you can apply parsley and basil in the same way;
  • Activated carbon is ground into powder and mixed with 1 tsp. water. The resulting pulp should be spread on the bite and wrapped with film so that the product does not dry out;
  • The inflammatory process can be stopped with a wet Validol tablet applied to the bite.

Except traditional methods, you can use homeopathic medicines that reduce the activity of toxic substances. These include Ledum, Apis Mellifica and Urtica Urens. It is not recommended to use ointments, gels and creams immediately after a bite. Products such as Fenistil and Advantan can be added after a few days to eliminate itching and burning.

Prevention

Bumblebees are friendly and social insects. In a calm environment, they pollinate in the presence of people and do not fly up themselves. They decide to attack only when stressful situation. To prevent possible contact, care should be taken:

  1. Do not try to catch it, touch it or drive it away by waving your arms;
  2. In specialized apiaries you only need to wear protective clothing and a mosquito net;
  3. Be careful when eating fruits and sweets on the street;
  4. Do not attract the attention of bumblebees with bright (especially blue) clothes and active perfume;
  5. Work in the area wearing gloves and walking in shoes;
  6. During the period of insect activity, cover the windows and doors in the house with a protective net;
  7. Bumblebees react to the smell of sweat and metal oxidation in contact with the skin (jewelry).

Important to know! The risk of an allergic reaction is much greater with a repeated bite. This is due to the fact that the body is already toxic after the first bite, so the concentration of the poison increases.

Don't panic after being bitten by a bumblebee. Exacerbation of the situation occurs in rare cases. More often preventive measures and treatment at home help to successfully cope with the bite. At the same time, if a few days after the bite pus has formed near the wound, general weakness of the body is felt, and also if you are bitten in delicate areas (in the mouth, near the eyes) or if there is a massive insect attack, you should seek help from a doctor. In rare cases, untimely medical intervention can result in death.

It is difficult to insure yourself against an aggressive sudden attack of a stinging insect in the summer. Sometimes, an awkward movement is enough to feel a burning sting of a wasp (bee, bumblebee, hornet) on your body. What to do at home to relieve pain and prevent negative consequences? Everyone should know these rules by heart, so as not to get confused at the right moment and provide first aid to the victim.

Symptoms and consequences

A wasp or a bee, a hornet or a bumblebee cannot bite, they sting. But the sensation when a sting with insect venom penetrates the skin is comparable to a bite. For some, this results in only minor redness and short-term discomfort. But you shouldn't rely on luck. Regardless of whether the bite is dangerous, the stung person should be given help. If the victim becomes worse, the participation of doctors is required immediately.

A person immediately feels characteristic symptoms after piercing the skin with an insect sting:

A cutting and rapidly spreading pain is felt;
the swelling is growing rapidly;
the bite site begins to itch very much;
numbness is felt in the stung area;
sweat is released sharply, extremities become cold;
breathing worsens, heart rate accelerates;
heartburn, vomiting, fainting (rare).

It’s difficult to say how long it takes for the bite to last. For some, the pain and itching subside after a few hours, while others will have to endure discomfort for several days.

If a person is prone to allergies, the reaction to a bite is the most unpredictable. Every second is precious, in some cases it costs your life. Failure to provide timely assistance or late use of an antihistamine can result in respiratory blockage and anaphylactic shock.

Bee stings and first aid

Traditional healers and many doctors are convinced that treating certain diseases with bee stings is much more effective than drug therapy. But an unconventional and unprofessional approach to treatment can be harmful. If a person is stung by 10-12 bees, especially in the throat and face, the consequences are dire.


The bee's sting, released from the abdomen, is connected internally to many organs. The insect, at the moment of attack and injecting it into the skin of the victim, quickly breaks away and flies away. But at the moment of separation from the skin with a sting, part of the important organs is torn out of the body, without which the further existence of the insect is impossible. This is why the bee dies after being stung.

A bee attack (provided that 1-2 bees have bitten) is not dangerous for people who have never had an allergy. At the same moment, first aid for a bite is provided to everyone without exception. It is especially important not to hesitate if the point of penetration of the sting is near the mucous membrane or throat.

What assistance should be provided to the victim if a sting hits the leg, arm, back or chest? Next steps need to memorize:

1. You can remove the sting by hand. Grab the tip, gently twist and pull out. If that doesn’t work, a needle or tweezers will help (treat before use).

2. After removal, wipe the wound with alcohol, or peroxide.

3. Before removing swelling and redness, be sure to take an antihistamine tablet.

4. It is necessary to prevent the swelling from spreading. To do this, apply a towel with ice and lubricate the wound with bite repellent. If you don’t have anything at hand, you can relieve swelling with a moistened sugar cube, dandelion or plantain leaf.

If a bee has bitten you in the eye, tongue, or larynx, you must not hesitate. It is necessary to call a team and take the insect victim to the hospital, even in cases where there is no serious allergy to a bee sting.

First steps if stung by a wasp

The wasp becomes especially aggressive on hot days. These individuals attack in order to defend themselves or in cases of overt manifestation of aggression towards them. For example, driving a wasp away from your face with your hand, destroying its house located in a tree or under the roof of a house, an attack cannot be avoided. Does a wasp die after being stung? No, her sting is always ready for the next attack.


You should not expect terrible consequences from the bite of one wasp. True, in the place where the wasp sting hits, a person will feel:

Burning growing pain, similar to the sensations of a burn;
rapid spreading of swelling, thickening of the skin;
redness with increased temperature in the affected area;
unbearable itching.

Don't waste time wondering whether a wasp leaves a sting when it bites. It will not be possible to find it in the wound; after the attack, the insect takes the weapon with it. If you are bitten by a wasp, you should immediately provide help:

1. Treat the wound with any disinfectant.
2. Take an allergy pill right away.
3. Give the victim plenty of sweet tea and juice.
4. Apply any cold object, ice, to the wound.
5. Monitor the nature of the edema. If it spreads to the throat or heart area, consult a doctor immediately.
6. Ointments will help relieve itching. You can buy products to apply to a wasp sting at any pharmacy.

It is important not to ingest alcohol after a bite, which will only accelerate the spread of wasp venom throughout the body.

Hornet attack


This insect, in flight at the moment of attack, can knock a horse off its feet. What can we say about a person! For people, an encounter with an attacking hornet can end in disaster. It is especially dangerous if the hornet bite occurs on the head, neck, or heart area. The most dangerous poison spreads through the vessels rapidly, blocking breathing occurs instantly. That is why it is important to quickly figure out what to do to help a stung person.

1. Try to suck out some of the poison.
2. Find something to treat the bite with. You can neutralize the poison by treating the stung area with lemon, vinegar, soda or soap solution (the alkaline hornet venom is destroyed by acids).
3. Disinfect the wound.
4. Apply an ice bandage with moistened sugar to the place where the hornet sting was inserted. The cold will stop the swelling, and the sugar will help draw out toxins from the wound.
5. Drink a diuretic, antihistamine. Give the victim a large amount of sweet drink.

If the swelling subsides and the allergy does not appear, lubricate the wound with any pain-relieving cream for bites. In case of increased swelling, abnormal heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness or partial loss of consciousness, go to the hospital. Hospital treatment is inevitable.

Bumblebee sting and first aid

Know that a bumblebee will never attack if you don’t touch it. Remember that only the female has a sting. By killing this insect, you can incur aggression from female bumblebees. They feel that a relative has been attacked, and quickly fly to the rescue. It also happens that no one touched him, but the bumblebee bit him. For example, during its next dive, an insect, crashing into a person’s body, released its sting in a moment of fright. What to do if it stings and injects poison into the skin?


You immediately need to calm down and remember how to relieve swelling and redness caused by insect venom injected into the skin. The allergic person should be quickly transported to the hospital. In addition, immediate assistance must be provided to the victim.

1. Inspect the site of the bumblebee attack. It may happen that after a bite the sting remains in the skin. It must be carefully removed, and then the wound must be disinfected.
2. Apply cotton wool soaked in peroxide and manganese water.
3. Ice, wrapped in a flap, applied to the wound and bandaged.
4. Take suprastin or another antiallergic drug to the victim.

Swelling, pain and unbearable itching will be felt for several days. It is important for the victim to drink a lot of water so that the poison is eliminated faster. It is strictly forbidden to scratch the bite, otherwise the consequences will be disastrous. If the condition worsens, you feel a racing heart, your limbs go numb, and you constantly want to sleep, you should go to the hospital.

Stinging insect bites are dangerous. It doesn’t matter whether the victim is prone to allergies or is in excellent health, the body’s reaction to the poison introduced by the sting can be fatal. Apply folk remedies from a bite to numb the wound, it is permitted only in cases where there is no allergy and the swelling has begun to subside. It is important to remember that you can apply healing herbal leaves to the bites after thoroughly cleaning them.

Still, it is wiser not to encounter these insects. You cannot brush them off with your hands, so as not to cause aggression, destroy the nests, and in the summer, carefully look to see if the wasp has become hooked on the sweet fruit so that it can also feast on it. If the insect stings, do not panic. By completing all emergency procedures correctly and going to the hospital on time, unpleasant consequences can always be avoided.

The bites of stinging insects such as bumblebees, wasps, bees and hornets are very painful for humans. The bite of a bumblebee, like other hymenoptera, is accompanied by swelling and redness. The biggest danger is the possible occurrence of severe allergic reactions. As a rule, this happens outside the city, in nature or summer cottages, therefore, every person should be able to provide first aid to the victim.

If the victim experiences the development of an allergic reaction, which is accompanied by an increase in swelling and hyperemia, you should immediately call an ambulance or take the person to the hospital.

A bumblebee bite is accompanied by the ingress of poison into the wound, sprayed from the insect's sting. This poison causes pain and inflammation at the site of the lesion. The more prone a person is to allergic reactions, the more severe the pain and accompanying symptoms.

The most severe complication that a bumblebee bite can cause is the development of angioedema or anaphylactic shock. If these conditions develop, then within a short period of time an itchy red rash appears all over the body, the heart rate increases, a severe headache, back and joint pain appears, and all this is accompanied by a sharp rise in temperature, chills, nausea and vomiting. Cramps and shortness of breath also appear.

A bumblebee sting can also cause a person to lose consciousness. Such a reaction is possible from the bite of just one stinging insect. In rare cases, massive stings from these insects can lead to death.

If a person has had a strong effect, first aid should be limited to the following (if it is not possible to receive qualified assistance in a timely manner):

  1. Carefully remove the sting. Moreover, you should not try to squeeze it out, as this can speed up the spread of the poison.
  2. Treat the bite area with peroxide, ammonia, a weak solution of potassium permanganate, or water and salt.
  3. A cold compress will help neutralize the spread of the poison and relieve pain, as well as reduce swelling.
  4. Give the victim more fluids.

Antihistamines

In the case of a severe allergic reaction caused by insect bites, treatment is carried out only by a doctor. Before his arrival, cover the victim, place heating pads around him hot water, give him 2 tablets of diphenhydramine.

The most severe cases may lead to cessation of breathing and in such cases it is necessary to take resuscitation actions: closed cardiac massage and artificial respiration.

Emergency medical attention is required if symptoms such as:

  • signs of an allergic reaction appeared: rapid heartbeat, nausea, headache, convulsions, shortness of breath;
  • manifestation of signs of infection at the bite sites: pain intensifies, redness appears, swelling increases, temperature increases;
  • if more than 10 insects have bitten, especially in the case of children and the elderly;
  • the bite occurred in the throat, eyeballs, or the insect stung in the mouth;
  • I used to be allergic to insect bites.

In addition to stinging insects, there are a large number various kinds bloodsucking and which are no less dangerous. The most dangerous representatives are the karakurt, tarantula and brown

If you are faced with a problem such as insect bites, treatment should only be carried out in a hospital where antivenom can be administered. When bitten by a non-venomous animal, no special treatment is required; in order to provide assistance, you need to act according to the scheme outlined above.

Not everyone can recognize a bumblebee by external signs, so they confuse it with bees or other insects of this type. Very often people simply underestimate the bite; at first it aches, itches, swells, which may well develop into quite big problem. But more conscious citizens immediately provide themselves with first aid, use medicines or folk remedies. This is exactly what we will talk about today, what to do when you are stung.

Bite properties

There are several varieties of bumblebees. The first type is the drone, the second is the working bumblebee, and the third is the queen bumblebee. Depending on how a particular type of insect bites, the consequences vary. It is very important to know that only a “queen” or a “working bumblebee” can bite.

If you compare a bumblebee with wasps or bees, it is more peaceful. Releases its sting only in case of extreme danger for defensive purposes. The poison is injected under the skin, causing the damaged area to literally burst into flames.

The skin turns red, itches, and sometimes becomes painful when pressed. Due to the fact that the poison contains many protein compounds, after it enters the bloodstream, a person often develops an allergy.

Despite the fact that for ordinary person The bumblebee “bites” is an incorrect statement. It stings, and quite strongly. The poison penetrates the skin, and the sting itself often remains sticking out on the surface. When the poison penetrates deeper, the affected area becomes very itchy, painful and swollen.

Very often, children who are just learning about the world are stung, so they themselves get into trouble. It is worth being extremely attentive parents, because a decent portion of poison can be dangerous for a child’s body. The bumblebee takes aim and bites only open areas skin, which is important in the summer. We are talking about open legs, arms, neck and even face.

Symptoms of a bite

When a bumblebee bites, you must immediately provide first aid to the victim. But before that, it is extremely important to identify the symptoms in order to know from which side to approach the issue. In some people, the development of an allergic reaction can result in anaphylactic shock, which is extremely dangerous and fatal.

People who are often exposed to allergies need to be especially careful. If, after being stung, some of the symptoms noticeably intensify, you need to urgently call an ambulance or go to the nearest medical center.

The main symptoms of a sting include swelling, the formation of redness and swelling on the skin, and itching. The skin itches, then swells, not as an even spot, but as a blurred one. If you are naturally susceptible to allergens, you should be especially careful. In such people, as a rule, the signs are more clearly expressed.

In addition to swollen areas in the affected area, a rash may occur throughout the body. Allergy sufferers often have a tendency to vomit, nausea, and dizziness. Especially often, the patient develops suffocation, it becomes difficult to breathe and swallow. Plus, heartburn develops.

Symptoms also include an increase in general body temperature and heart rate. In some cases, loss of consciousness is observed, which is accompanied by convulsive seizures. The person sweats, but the sweat is cold, like after waking up from a nightmare.

It is very important to identify signs of a sting and begin providing first aid. If it is carried out promptly, serious pathological phenomena will be avoided. In a minority of cases, a bumblebee bite has been fatal. For this reason, it is extremely important to know what to do in such situations. You will be able to protect your friends, family and yourself.

Causes and symptoms of swelling after vinegar

When an insect stings, the affected area always swells and increases in size. This is a consequence of the tissue reaction to the poison, which is already beginning to spread to neighboring areas. The bad thing is that such a reaction can be detected not only in the area of ​​the bite itself, but also in places that seem completely unrelated to the sting.

If a bumblebee stings a person again, the immune system suffers doubly due to the fact that the poisonous substance contains protein compounds that cause an allergic reaction.

Depending on general condition, several stages of symptoms may be observed. The first of these includes itching, redness and rash. The second includes diarrhea and vomiting, problems with difficulty breathing, signs of suffocation and difficulty swallowing. The above may be accompanied by severe sweating and chills.

First aid

If you are not allergic and can easily tolerate all kinds of illnesses and changes in the body’s reaction, then you can alleviate the symptoms after a sting yourself at home. Follow the step-by-step recommendations and everything will work out.

  1. Carefully inspect the area where the insect stung. If necessary, use a magnifying glass. Arm yourself with tweezers and spray it with antiseptic. Do the same with the sore spot. Remove the tip by grasping it with a tool. Treat your skin with a disinfectant again.
  2. Apply a cosmetic sponge soaked in hydrogen peroxide to the bite area. You can replace peroxide with miramistin, chlorhexidine, low concentrations of potassium permanganate, alcohol or vodka as a last resort.
  3. Apply cold to the skin by wrapping an ice cube in a bandage. This will relieve pain and itchy discomfort. Then you need to take any anti-allergy drug, be it Suprastin, Zodak, Erius, etc.
  4. Drink at least 3 liters over several days. clean bottled water. Also lean on chamomile and green tea, freshly squeezed juices. All this will help you get rid of the poison and remove it faster. If the condition noticeably worsens, call an ambulance.
  5. To avoid increasing blood circulation in the sting area, do not scratch the sore spot. Try not to touch it at all. In some cases, when the poison spreads through the tissues, intoxication occurs.

Painkillers from vinegars

If you have a non-standard pain defect, as a result of which the pain is felt quite strongly, you should use medications directional action.

Lubricate the affected area with iodine or brilliant green. You will prevent infection from entering the wound and speed up recovery.

Be sure to take an antihistamine, it will prevent a severe allergic reaction throughout the body. Use suprastin, tavegil, loratadine, etc.

If the area is very sore because you scratched it, purchase a topical gel. Lubricate the affected areas with fenistil or advantan. Such medications will prevent swelling and burning.

Traditional methods

  1. In addition to pharmaceutical drugs, bumblebee bites can be combated using traditional methods. Compresses will help relieve discomfort and symptoms. It is enough to apply the lotion to the bite site for a while.
  2. Fresh plantain gruel copes well with this problem. Distribute the raw materials and secure with a bandage. Leave for 1 hour. You can do the same with baking soda and water. Dilute the ingredients until mushy and apply.
  3. Parsley leaves, cucumber, potatoes, tomatoes and green apple. As an alternative, finely chopped onions or frozen milk cubes.

What not to do if you are bitten by a bumblebee

  1. It is strictly forbidden to crush or swat a bumblebee that has already been stung. Because of this action, the insect begins to secrete special substances that its relatives sense. Therefore, you can bring upon yourself a whole angry swarm.
  2. After a bite, do not scratch or rub the affected area under any circumstances. Such movements contribute to the rapid spread of poison throughout the tissues. In addition, you risk additional infection.
  3. Also, do not listen to others about the fact that alcohol neutralizes poison. Drinking strong drinks is prohibited, as they dilate blood vessels. As a result, the poison will spread many times faster.
  4. Be sure to take into account the recommendations of specialists; they strongly advise against cooling the affected area with water from reservoirs, earth or clay. The risk of getting a serious infection or contracting tetanus increases significantly.
  5. If you suffer from insomnia and regularly take sleeping pills, such drugs are strictly contraindicated in case of a bumblebee bite. Medicines enhance the effects of poison on the human body.

When to visit a doctor

  1. Be sure to visit a specialist if you have been stung by several bumblebees. Help is also needed for young children, pregnant girls and people prone to allergic reactions.
  2. In addition, the help of a doctor will be necessary if a bumblebee stings you in the mouth or eyes. Be sure to notify the ambulance medical care about an insect bite with a toxic or severe allergic reaction.

Bite Prevention Measures

  1. It is worth knowing that a bumblebee can only sting if provoked. Even while collecting nectar, the insect will not attack a person if you just stand nearby. Therefore, in order to protect yourself once again, you need to know some rules.
  2. Remember, a bumblebee will not attack you unless you provoke it. Therefore, you should not try to touch or stroke the insect. There is also no need to make sudden movements or wave your arms near the bumblebee.
  3. Under no circumstances visit apiaries without special uniforms. Also, you should not go out into nature or have a picnic near a swarm of such dangerous insects. As for the home environment, there should be a mosquito net on the windows.
  4. Always use extreme caution when long time spend it in a meadow or place where there are many flowers. Also be careful with sweets. Such products attract uninvited guests. Try to wear thick blue clothes.
  5. Also, bumblebees cannot tolerate strong odors, such as tobacco, perfumes, alcohol, sweat and ethers. Under no circumstances should you try to touch the nests of such insects. Bumblebees also do not like the aroma of oxidized metal. It usually occurs when rings, straps and bracelets rub against a person's skin.

To avoid such trouble, always follow simple measures precautions. Carefully inspect the place where you are going to have a picnic. If the insect still stings, it is better to seek help from a doctor. It's not worth the risk.

Video: what to do if you are bitten by a wasp or hornet

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