A bee or wasp sting is a nuisance that, in most cases, should not cause concern. However, in some cases a bee sting could create a few more headaches, which deserve to be addressed properly.
In short, although for most people a bee sting will cause nothing more than pain , swelling and redness right around the sting, with a typically local reaction, it is also true that, however, a small percentage of people are allergic to insect stings and suffer from a much more serious and dangerous reaction, known as a generalized reaction.
Bee stings in these people can cause anaphylaxis and can be fatal in severe cases.
That’s why, even before we understand how to respond to a bee sting for non-allergic people, the next time you or a child gets a nasty bee sting, it’s a good idea to immediately look for signs of a generalized allergic reaction.
What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction to a bee sting?
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to a bee sting usually develop very quickly and may include:
- feeling of discomfort, tingling sensations and dizziness,
- generalized itching and urticaria,
- swelling of the lips and tongue,
- shortness of breath and difficulty breathing,
- collapse and loss of consciousness.
It follows that anyone who has any of these symptoms should go to the emergency room immediately.
Obviously, people who have had a generalized allergic response to a bee sting in the past are likely to have one after another sting. However, sometimes people who have never had an allergic reaction to a previous sting have a generalized allergic reaction to their next sting. Fortunately, this first reaction is less likely to be a fatal one.
That said, people who know they are allergic should always have access to an epinephrine auto-injector . This is a small, portable device that injects epinephrine when you push it against your skin, so you don’t need to know how to give an injection. Epinephrine (adrenaline) is a medication that treats allergic reactions and can be a lifesaver, so use the auto-injector at the first sign of an allergic reaction.
Finally, we emphasize that patients and parents of children should note that a more severe local reaction (greater pain or more extreme swelling) is by no means an indicator of an increased risk of a generalized reaction.
Read also: Hornet, varieties, nest, sting and traps
What to do for a bee sting without an allergic reaction
So far, some sharing for all the people who, unfortunately, are allergic to bee stings. For all the others… there are three simple steps to follow.
Remove the stinger
Bee stings and wasp stings are relatively similar, with one major exception. After a sting, bees leave behind a barbed stinger (and the bee dies). Wasps, on the other hand, have a smooth stinger that can sting multiple times without detaching from the insect.
After a bee sting, the stinger should be removed as quickly as possible. In many cases, the bee also leaves the venom sac attached, which continues to pump the poisonous substance as long as it remains intact. So, the sooner the bee and stinger can be removed, the sooner the flow of toxins can be stopped.
A sharp object, such as a credit card or butter knife, gently scraped over the affected area is the best way to remove the stinger. Avoid using tweezers or anything else that could puncture or squeeze the venom sac and worsen symptoms.
Apply a cold compress
Once the stinger is out, a cold compress can help relieve the pain (just don’t soak the entire area in ice). An antihistamine taken orally or applied as a cream can help relieve itching and swelling.
Lift the area with the sting
Depending on the location of the sting, elevating the area may also reduce swelling.
In this regard, please note that the level of swelling caused by a sting can often be surprising. In fact, a sting on the hand can cause the hand to swell up to twice its normal size. This swelling, along with the sensation of warmth and tenderness in the area, can sometimes be confused with other health problems. Remember that swelling caused by a local reaction can decrease within a few hours, but may take a few days to completely resolve.
You may also be interested in our related article on how to remove a wasp nest yourself and safely or who to call to do it for us if we feel unsafe.
How to Prevent Bee Stings
The best way to avoid complications from a sting is… to avoid being stung! But how do you do that? What should you keep in mind if you know you or your child could be at risk from a bee or wasp sting?
Although you can’t prevent the risk of being stung by bees or wasps 100%, a first useful remedy is certainly to avoid wearing bright colors, perfume or hair spray. Also remember that bees and wasps are “social” creatures. They sting humans only to protect their hive, and certainly not because they have a passion for attacking “animals” much larger than themselves. Hence, the old rule still applies: if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you.