
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.
#Bee sting infection 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.
#Bee sting infection skin
Consider calling your doctor if the ting site continues to be swollen after two days. Bee sting venom has proteins that affect your skin and immune system, causing pain and swelling around the sting site. 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. Minor localised reaction resolves within 24 hours. The welt may grow in size over a 48-hour period. A bee or wasp sting causes an immediate sharp pain that usually only lasts for a few seconds, followed by redness, swelling, pain, and, following a bee sting, the embedded stinger. 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. Emergency Treatment Home Remedies Prevent Stings Bee sting treatment ranges from simple home remedies to life-saving medical treatment at a hospital. 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. Smaller swellings will often go down without medical treatment after a few days.

Both bee and wasp stings result in a red welt, minor pain (a “stinging” sensation), and minor swelling. The reaction that most people experience after a wasp or bee sting is pain, discomfort and redness around the sting site, with swelling that may increase over a few hours. Step 4: Benadryl can reduce swelling in bigger reactions.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.Step 3: Use antihistamine or calamine cream and oatmeal baths to reduce itching.Step 2: Reduce reaction using an ice pack.Step 1: Remove the stinger as soon as possible with tweezers.

#Bee sting infection how to
John Torres, NBC News Medical Correspondent, to create realistic bee stings, both minor and more severe, to show you how to treat a them at home - and when you should head to the hospital.ĭr. To get the bottom of it, we teamed up with the special effects team at SyFy Channel's Face Off and Dr. If a run in with a bee has left you with a painful sting, you’ll want to know how to reduce the pain, and treat the wound.
