Medication
In more extreme cases, a severe sting can result in an infection or allergic reaction, leading you to your doctor’s office. When should you you be concerned, and seek medical treatment for a bee sting?
Self-care
The treatment for bee sting reaction will depend upon the severity of the allergic reaction. After a bee sting, remove the stinger as soon as possible, taking care to avoid squeezing the venom sac. A person may want to use a pair of tweezers to do this. Removing the stinger will limit the amount of venom released into the bloodstream.
When should you go to the doctor for a bee sting?
Sometimes symptoms such as itching, swelling, and redness may last for up to a week or symptoms may increase gradually over the next day or two. This indicates a moderate reaction and should be monitored. If you have an allergy to a bee sting, the venom can cause a severe, life-threatening reaction.
What is the treatment for a bee sting reaction?
How long does it take for a bee sting to heal?
When should you go to the doctor for a bee sting?
You should call 911 and seek immediate emergency treatment if you or someone near you develops a severe reaction to a bee sting or if there are multiple bee stings. The following symptoms are a sign of an allergic reaction: Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. Stomach cramps.
How long should a bee sting be swollen for?
Severe pain or burning at the site lasts 1 to 2 hours. Normal swelling from venom can increase for 48 hours after the sting. The redness can last 3 days. The swelling can last 7 days.
How long after bee sting can anaphylaxis occur?
Anaphylaxis is the most severe of possible reactions to an insect sting. It usually occurs 5-30 minutes after the sting.
Is it normal for a bee sting to swell 2 days later?
Severe pain or burning at the site lasts 1 to 2 hours. Normal swelling from venom can increase for 48 hours after the sting. The redness can last 3 days. The swelling can last 7 days.
Does Benadryl help with bee stings?
Taking an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or a nonsedating one such as loratadine (Claritin) will help with itching and swelling. Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin)for pain relief as needed. Wash the sting site with soap and water.
When should you go to the hospital for an allergic reaction?
If left untreated, anaphylaxis can lead to anaphylactic shock (a sudden drop in blood pressure and narrowing of the airways), seizures, cardiac arrhythmia and even death. Additional symptoms that require immediate medical attention can include: Abdominal pain, vomiting, intense nausea or diarrhea. Chest tightness.
Can anaphylactic shock happen slowly?
The symptoms of anaphylaxis can vary. In some people, the reaction begins very slowly, but in most the symptoms appear rapidly and abruptly. The most severe and life-threatening symptoms are difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness.
Do bee sting reactions get worse over time?
Generally, moderate reactions get better over a week. Having a moderate reaction doesn't guarantee that you'll have a more serious reaction next time a bee stings you. If your reactions keep getting worse every time you're stung, talk to a doctor.
How do you get the swelling down from a bee sting?
Apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to ease redness, itching or swelling. If itching or swelling is bothersome, take an oral antihistamine that contains diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or chlorpheniramine. Avoid scratching the sting area.
What helps bee sting swelling go down?
To treat a sting from a bee, wasp, or hornet, dermatologists recommend the following tips:Stay calm. ... Remove the stinger. ... Wash the sting with soap and water.Apply a cold pack to reduce swelling. ... Consider taking over-the-counter pain medication.
Why did my bee sting swell a week later?
Serum sickness is a type of delayed reaction that occurs a week to 10 days after a sting and may cause itching, rash, fever, joint pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.
What should you watch after a bee sting?
Severe allergic reactionSkin reactions, including hives and itching and flushed or pale skin.Difficulty breathing.Swelling of the throat and tongue.A weak, rapid pulse.Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.Dizziness or fainting.Loss of consciousness.
How to stop a bee sting from swollen ear?
If you’ve been stung by either insect, try applying a cold pack to reduce pain and swelling. Bee sting symptoms should subside within a few hours. Take oral antihistamines, like diphenhydramine, also known as Benadryl, to continue to reduce the swelling and itch.
How to get rid of a bee stinger?
The difference? If you’re stung by a bee you should remove the stinger and attached venom sac. Just use a credit card, your fingernail, or similar object to scrape away the stinger. Don’t use tweezers — they can squeeze more venom into the sting site.
How to tell if you are allergic to a bee sting?
You should be concerned with the bee sting and seek medical attention if your body’s allergic reaction to the sting spreads throughout your body. This might come in the form of symptoms such as: 1 Itching and hives 2 Paleness 3 Sweaty skin 4 Nausea and vomiting 5 Weak pulse
How long does it take for a bee sting to grow?
The welt may grow in size over a 48-hour period. This reaction remains local to the sting site and doesn’t spread to other areas of the body.
What are the side effects of a bee sting?
Both bee and wasp stings result in a red welt, minor pain (a “stinging” sensation), and minor swelling. Sometimes the puncture site appears white.
What are the symptoms of a bee sting?
This might come in the form of symptoms such as: Itching and hives. Paleness. Sweaty skin.
Can a swarm of bees cause a reaction?
Also, if you receive multiple stings, such as from a swarm of be es 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.
What is the best medicine for bee stings?
If you're allergic to bee stings, your doctor is likely to prescribe an emergency epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others). You'll need to have it with you at all times. An autoinjector is a combined syringe and concealed needle that injects a single dose of medication when pressed against your thigh.
What to do if you get a sting on your arm?
If the sting is on an arm or leg, elevate it.
What to do if you are allergic to bees?
He or she may refer you to an allergy specialist (allergist) who can determine whether you're allergic to bee or other insect venom and can help you find ways to prevent future allergic reactions.
How to test for allergy to bees?
Allergy blood test. A blood test can measure your immune system's response to bee venom by measuring the amount of allergy-causing antibodies in your bloodstream. A blood sample is sent to a medical laboratory, where it can be tested for evidence of sensitivity to possible allergens.
How to remove a stinger from a bee?
If you can, remove the stinger as soon as possible, such as by scraping it off with a fingernail. Don't try to remove a stinger below the skin surface . A stinger may not be present, as only bees leave their stingers. Other stinging insects, such as wasps, do not. Wash the affected area with soap and water.
What is the best treatment for anaphylactic shock?
You may be given medications including: Intravenous (IV) antihistamines and cortisone to reduce inflammation of your air passages and improve breathing.
Can you get a bee sting from an allergic reaction?
For ordinary bee stings that do not cause an allergic reaction, home treatment is enough. Multiple stings or an allergic reaction, on the other hand, can be a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
How do you treat a bee sting if you're not allergic?
While it's important to address severe allergic reactions quickly, most bee stings are just an annoyance you can treat at home.
What to do if you are allergic to bees?
Jain. Take note of the expiration date and be sure to replace it regularly, per the Mayo Clinic.
What happens if you are allergic to bee venom?
However, "if you are allergic to bee venom, your immune system goes haywire," Lakiea Wright, MD, MPH, a board-certified allergist and associate physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, tells Health. "It perceives the chemicals from that sting as foreign and sends off signals like an alarm bell throughout the body.".
How to get rid of bees?
In the meantime, the best bee sting treatment is prevention. You can lower your risk of getting stung in the first place with these tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 1 Stay calm around individual bees and avoid swatting at them. 2 Run into a car or building to escape swarms of bees. 3 Avoid wearing bright colors and perfumes outside which can attract stinging insects. 4 Cover food and trash cans outside. 5 If a bee comes into your car, pull over and open the window to let it fly out on its own. 6 Leave bee hive removal to the professionals.
What happens if you get stung by a bee?
You could be experiencing anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. Hives beyond the sting site. Severe itching.
How to remove a stinger from a fingernail?
The first step is to remove the stinger (which could appear as a small black dot) by gently running your fingernail, a credit card, or piece of gauze across the skin, Alison Ehrlich, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and member of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America's Medical Scientific Council, tells Health. Avoid using tweezers which could squeeze out more venom—which is not something you want—per the AAD.
Why does my stinger hurt?
As a result, your immune system responds with cells that act that protect your body to keep the venom from spreading. This triggers pain, swelling, warmth, and redness around the stinger, he explains.
What to do if you get stung by a bee?
After getting stung, you should quickly and calmly move away from the area. This makes it less likely that you’ll be stung by another bee. If bees start to chase you, cover your face while moving to a safe location. The best place to be is an indoor area or the inside of a car.
How to prevent bee stings?
Another way to prevent bee stings is to avoid using strong perfumes and scented lotions. Bees are attracted to the sweet smells, making it more likely for you to be stung.
Why do bees sting?
Unfortunately, some bee stings are more severe than others. In most cases, this is because the person who got stung has an allergy to the venom injected by the bee. Allergic reactions to a bee sting may be moderate, with intense pain and swelling that lasts several days. They may also be life-threatening.
How long does a bee sting last?
Unfortunately, the pain of the sting often lasts for several hours. Most people experience a sharp, burning sensation at the site of the sting. A red, swollen welt is also common. Since most bee stings only include local symptoms, treating them at home is fairly easy.
What to do for a sting?
For more severe stings, it may be helpful to take an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). If the swelling around the site doesn’t improve, applying a paste made of baking soda and water may help. Most moderate stings start to improve in five to ten days.
How to treat a sting on a sandbox?
The first thing to do is wash the area with soap and warm water. Try not to massage or itch the area as doing so can make the inflammation worse. After washing the site of the sting, cover it with a cold compress or an ice pack wrapped in a towel.
What happens if you accidentally come across a hidden beehive?
If you accidentally come across a hidden beehive or swat at the wrong insect, you can find yourself with a painful sting.
How to get rid of a bee sting?
Although there are a variety of home remedies for bee stings, ranging from honey to apple cider vinegar, doctors recommend washing the area with soap and water and then applying a cool, moist cloth or cold pack to relieve swelling. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, irritating the spot might cause increased irritation and break down your skin barrier, exposing you to infection (CDC).
How long does it take for a bee sting to go away?
According to the Mayo Clinic, if you’re not allergic to bee stings, the minor symptoms should go away in a few hours or days . Your immune system goes wild if you’re allergic to bee stings, says Lakiea Wright, MD, MPH, a board-certified allergy and associate physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. It recognizes the chemicals in the sting as foreign and sends out alarm messages throughout the body.
What happens when a bee stings you?
Sanjeev Jain, MD, PhD, a board-certified allergist and immunologist at Columbia Allergy, says that when a bee stings you, the sharp end of its stinger gets lodged in your skin, and it releases venom to protect itself. As a result, your immune system responds by producing cells that act as barriers, preventing the venom from spreading throughout your body. He notes that this causes pain, swelling, warmth, and redness surrounding the stinger.
Can you use epinephrine if you are allergic to bees?
If you’re allergic to bees, consult a doctor about getting an epinephrine auto-injector and learning how to use it in the event of a severe allergic reaction, Dr. Jain advises. According to the Mayo Clinic, keep track of the expiration date and replace it on a regular basis. Use your epinephrine auto-injector as soon as you see signs of a severe reaction to a bee sting, such as hives or problems breathing. Call 911 right away for additional monitoring and treatment.
Can bee stings be treated at home?
While it’s critical to treat severe allergic reactions as soon as possible, most bee stings are minor annoyances that may be treated at home.
What is the treatment for a severe allergic reaction to bee stings?
Someone who has had a severe allergic reaction to bee stings, or has other risk factors, can receive a form of this treatment known as venom immunotherapy (VIT).
How long does it take for a bee sting to heal?
In such cases, the symptoms can take over a week to heal completely.
What does it mean when you get stung by a bee?
Redness and swelling characterize a mild reaction. The symptoms of a bee sting vary depending on how allergic the person is. A person can have a mild, moderate, or severe reaction shortly after being stung by a bee. Trusted Source.
How severe is a bee sting?
Reactions to bee venom can range from mild to severe. In less severe cases, the reaction occurs around the site of the sting. In more severe cases, the allergic reaction affects other parts of the body.
Why does bee venom hurt?
Bee venom contains proteins that affect the skin cells and immune system, resulting in pain and swelling at the site of the sting, even if a person is not allergic to the venom.
What happens if you get a sting from an insect?
Many people who react to insect stings will experience a mild to moderate irritant reaction in the form of localized redness and swelling. For a small minority of people, the allergic reaction can be much more severe, requiring emergency medical treatment. Fatal reactions are rare. The venom of honeybees, paper wasps, ...
What does a bee sting do to your body?
If a person is allergic, the bee sting will cause the immune system to produce a type of antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). Usually, IgE protects the body from dangerous substances, such as viruses and parasites. However, in response to a sting, the body produces IgE that then causes inappropriate immune responses, such as hives, swelling, ...
What is the treatment for a bee sting?
In some cases, a doctor may recommend allergen-specific immunotherapy, also known as desensitization. This long-term treatment prevents a serious allergic reaction in the event of a bee sting.
What to do if you are allergic to a bee sting?
Depending on the severity of the allergic reaction, a doctor may inject emergency epinephrine. They may also prescribe topical steroids, oral steroids, or both.
How does a bee stinger work?
When a bee stings a person, their sharp stinger enters the skin. It then detaches from the bee and latches to the skin with its barb, which is a sharp hook that keeps the stinger in place. In most cases, the venom sac attaches to the top of the stinger.
What are the symptoms of a bee sting?
Symptoms. Treatment. Persistent swelling. Allergic reactions. Prevention. Summary. Bee stings are a common occurrence. They can cause pain, swelling, and, in some cases, allergic reactions. The symptoms usually resolve on their own or with home treatment.
How long does a bee sting last?
Bee stings can cause pain, swelling, and change in skin color. If swelling lasts for more than 24 hours, people should not worry, as swelling can last up to 7 days. However, if it persists beyond that, they should contact a doctor. Bee stings can differ in severity, and therefore treatment will vary from person to person.
What to do if you have anaphylaxis?
Contact a doctor if the pain and swelling persist. If any symptoms of anaphylaxis occur, contact a doctor right away.
Why are bees important?
Bees are a crucial part of the food chain. They are responsible for pollinating popular fruit and vegetables, such as apples and squash. However, their sting can cause pain and discomfort. Learn more about why bees are important to humans and the planet here.
How to treat a stinger?
To take care of an insect bite or sting that causes a mild reaction: 1 Move to a safe area to avoid more bites or stings. 2 If needed, remove the stinger. 3 Wash the area with soap and water. 4 Apply a cool compress. Use a cloth dampened with cold water or filled with ice. This helps reduce pain and swelling. If the injury is on an arm or leg, elevate it. 5 Apply 0.5 or 1 percent hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion or a baking soda paste to the bite or sting several times daily until your symptoms go away. 6 Take an antihistamine (Benadryl, others) to reduce itching.
How to stop a stinger from itching?
Take an antihistamine (Benadryl, others) to reduce itching. Usually, the signs and symptoms of a bite or sting disappear in a day or two. If you're concerned — even if your reaction is minor — call your doctor.
How to get rid of a stinger on your arm?
If needed, remove the stinger. Wash the area with soap and water. Apply a cool compress. Use a cloth dampened with cold water or filled with ice. This helps reduce pain and swelling. If the injury is on an arm or leg, elevate it.
What to do if someone is vomiting?
If the person is vomiting, position him or her to prevent choking.