Bee Sting Symptoms and Treatment

Bee stings can produce different reactions, ranging from temporary pain and discomfort to a severe allergic reaction. Having one type of reaction doesn't mean you'll always have the same reaction every time you're stung. Minor reactionrnMost of the time, signs and symptoms of a bee sting are minor and include: Instant, sharp burning pain at the sting sitern A red welt at the sting arearn A small, white spot where the stinger punctured the skinrn Slight swelling around the sting area In most people, swelling and pain go away within a few hours. Large local reactionrnAbout 10 percent of people who get stung by a bee or other insect have a bit stronger reaction (large local reaction), with signs and symptoms such as: Extreme rednessrn Swelling at the site of the sting that gradually enlarges over the next day or two Large local reactions tend to resolve over five to 10 days. Having a large local reaction doesn't mean you'll have a severe allergic reaction the next time you're stung. But some people develop similar large local reactions each time they're stung. If this happens to you, talk to your doctor about treatment and prevention. Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)rnA severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to bee stings is potentially life-threatening and requires emergency treatment. About 3 percent of people who are stung by a bee or other insect quickly develop anaphylaxis. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include: Skin reactions in parts of the body other than the sting area, including hives and itching and flushed or pale skin (almost always present with anaphylaxis) Difficulty breathingrn Swelling of the throat and tonguern A weak and rapid pulsern Nausea, vomiting or diarrhearn Dizziness or faintingrn Loss of consciousness People who have a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting have a 30 to 60 percent chance of anaphylaxis the next time they're stung. Talk to your doctor or an allergy specialist about prevention measures such as immunotherapy to avoid a similar reaction in case you get stung again. Multiple bee stingsrnGenerally, insects such as bees and wasps aren't aggressive and only sting in self-defense. In most cases, this results in one or perhaps a few stings. However, in some cases a person will disrupt a hive or swarm of bees and get stung multiple times. Some types of bees — such as Africanized honeybees — are more likely than are other bees to swarm, stinging in a group. If you get stung more than a dozen times, the accumulation of venom may induce a toxic reaction and make you feel quite sick. Signs and symptoms include: Nausea, vomiting or diarrhearn Headachern Vertigorn Feeling faint or faintingrn Convulsionsrn Fever Multiple stings can be a medical emergency in children, older adults, and people who have heart or breathing problems. When to see a doctorrnIn most cases, bee stings don't require a visit to your doctor. In more-severe cases: For more info, check the link below: bee control auckland