In the moments right after a sting, it can be hard to remember what to do next.
#Bee sting reaction how to#
We’ll walk you through the steps to care for a bee or wasp sting and how to tell if you have a more serious reaction. Whether you’ve had a bee sting before, it’s helpful to know the best ways to treat a sting. But for a small number of people the reaction can be more severe. For many, it causes irritation, swelling, and redness.
There are over 130,000 species of hymenoptera, and most people experience a sting at some point in their lives. If you have a known allergy to bees, you should use your epinephrine injector immediately to prevent symptoms of this reaction, and still call 911.Īlso, if you receive multiple stings, such as from a swarm of bees or wasps, that is a cause for concern so seek medical treatment immediately, as the venom can build up in the body and cause a severe allergic reaction.įor more information, visit the UPMC Urgent Care webpage.Įditor's Note: This article was originally published on May 1, 2016, and was last reviewed on July 15, 2022.Bugs with stingers - like bees, wasps, hornets, and ants - belong to a group of insects called hymenoptera.
#Bee sting reaction professional#
It is a cause for concern and is important that you get to an emergency medical professional as soon as possible, even if you only have one or two symptoms.
The most serious threat of an insect sting is anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening swelling of the throat and tongue, which can prevent you from breathing. This reaction might come in the form of symptoms such as:Īny of these bee sting symptoms could be the sign of a severe allergic reaction to the insect sting, and you should immediately seek help. You should be concerned with the sting and seek medical attention if your body’s allergic reaction to it spreads throughout your body. Consider calling your doctor if the ting site continues to be swollen after two days. How long does a sting stay swollen?īee stings and your body’s reaction to their venom will vary, but a common sting may stay swollen for up to 48 hours. What Does a Bee Sting Look Like?īee stings often cause a raised welt and swelling around the sting site. One minor sting should be easily treatable at home, but in cases of multiple stings or a severe reaction, be sure to call your doctor or go to the emergency room. This reaction remains local to the sting site and doesn’t spread to other areas of the body. The welt may grow in size over a 48-hour period. Some people may have a stronger allergic reaction to an insect’s venom, leading to bee sting side effects, such as a very large, swollen welt. Take oral antihistamines, like diphenhydramine, also known as Benadryl, to continue to reduce the swelling and itch. Bee sting symptoms should subside within a few hours. If you’ve been stung by either insect, try applying a cold pack to reduce pain and swelling. Don’t use tweezers - they can squeeze more venom into the sting site. Just use a credit card, your fingernail, or similar object to scrape away the stinger. If you’re stung by a bee you should remove the stinger and attached venom sac. Sometimes the puncture site appears white. Both bee and wasp stings result in a red welt, minor pain (a “stinging” sensation), and minor swelling. Typical Symptoms of a Bee Sting or Wasp Stingīee and wasp stings have similar side effects: They’re both painful and involve the insect injecting venom into the sting site.
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