Bee Sting - Annoyance or Emergency?

Aug 26, 2011
Susan Struck

A Bee Sting Can be Deadly for Some People - Susan Struck

To some, bee stings are simply an annoyance. To others, bee stings can cause serious anaphylactic reactions and are a true emergency!

Annoying Bee Stings

For most people, a bee sting is not much more than a painful annoyance. Although the pain can be intense at first, within a few hours it subsides to the point of minor tenderness. Although a welt might appear right away, that too will diminish fairly quickly. Even so, the University of Iowa recommends anyone suffering from a bee sting should stay near a phone for a few hours, just in case help is needed. Most severe reactions will occur quickly but some may be delayed by a few hours.

Minor reactions to bee stings usually require no more than simple home remedies for relief of pain and perhaps mild swelling. With any bee sting the first thing to do is to be certain the stinger and its attached venom sac has been removed. If it is still attached to the sting site, scrape it off quickly with a fingernail, credit card or whatever else you have that will quickly do the job. Once that is accomplished, wash the site with mild soap or water. A cold compress and perhaps some acetaminophen will usually suffice to bring adequate relief in these cases.

A large reaction, yet one that still remains localized to the area of the sting, can also usually be managed at home. Again, be certain to remove the stinger and venom sac. Wash the site. Besides the cold compress, hydrocortisone cream or calamine location may ease the skin discomfort. Adding an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine, may also be useful to decrease itching or swelling.

Allergic Reactions are an Emergency

When a bee sting, or multiple bee stings, cause an allergic reaction it is an emergency situation. Signs that such a reaction is occurring include difficulty breathing, swelling of the mouth, throat or neck. The patient may show signs of shock including anxiety, confusion, dizziness, heart palpitations or rapid heartbeat. The patient may become sweaty or the skin may turn red. Hives may appear. Untreated, this situation can turn grave, leading to total cessation of pulse and breathing.

Emergency Treatment is Vital

According to Mayo Clinic treatment includes supplemental oxygen, IV antihistamines and cortisone to reduce inflammation and promote improved breathing, epinephrine to calm your body’s response to the allergen and possibly even CPR if the victim’s heart stops or the patient stops breathing. Other medications are also available to reduce frightening breathing symptoms.

If a person knows they are allergic to bee stings they should ask their physician about an emergency epinephrine pen that makes it possible to quickly self-inject to reduce or stop an impending allergic reaction. It is vital that a person learn to use this injector system before it is needed so that a quick and accurate response will occur automatically when needed.

Persons who have suffered severe allergic reactions to bee stings might also benefit from wearing a medical alert bracelet that identifies the risk. If unable to speak, this bracelet may help to make a diagnosis more quickly, leading to faster treatment.

Bee Sting Prevention

There may be some things you can do to reduce your risk of being stung by a bee. Most simply, avoid areas where you would expect to find bees, such as flower gardens. Don’t use strong fragrances such as perfumes or soaps. Keep picnic areas clean, dispose of food trash appropriately as bees often congregate around such waste.

Sometimes, though, a bee sting occurs before you even realize you are near a bee. Because of this problem, it is advised that any person known to have severe reactions to such stings consider allergy shots. These shots, known as immunotherapy, are given on a regular schedule over a long period of time. This treatment can reduce or possibly even eliminate serious reactions.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.