A bee sting may cause an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can vary, but may include hives, a swollen throat or tongue, flushed skin, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and more. For most people, a bee sting only produces temporary pain and irritation at the site of the sting.
A small percentage of people who are stung by a bee or other insect quickly develop anaphylaxis. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include: Skin reactions, including hives and itching and flushed or pale skin. Difficulty breathing.
A normal healthy reaction may include swelling or redness in the general area where stung, and a feeling of heat or itchiness. Swelling can sometimes be severe. For instance, if stung on the finger, the arm may be swollen even up to the elbow. Swelling such as this is fairly common, even though it may be alarming.
Some people show a delayed reaction, with symptoms appearing one to several hours later. An abnormal or systemic reaction involves generalized symptoms that occur away from the sting site, such as hives, profuse sweating, shortness of breath and tightness of the throat.
A severe life-threatening allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis. The main symptoms are hives with trouble breathing and swallowing. It starts within 2 hours of the sting.
Moderate Bee Sting Allergic Reaction Symptoms
Sometimes, people who are stung by bees and other insects have a more intense reaction. If you have a moderate bee sting allergy, you may experience: Reasonable swelling at the sting site. Itchy and watery eyes.
30 Minutes After
The first few minutes after a bee or wasp sting is all about safety. Once you are inside and calm, consider any first aid you may need. The most common symptoms are burning, slight swelling, and a red welt at the sting site.
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.
Mild Reactions
Mild bee sting reactions usually involve localized pain and swelling and subside relatively quickly. For example, you may notice that the area around the sting swells and becomes red. A bee sting typically feels like a sharp burning pain that worsens over time.
Allergic reactions after insect stings may have a delayed onset, differing from the usual immediate anaphylactic pattern. Ten patients, aged 6 to 78 years, had allergic reactions 1 to 2 weeks after an insect sting. Six patients had had multiple stings preceding the reaction.
Normal reactions typically include intense pain, itching, and redness with swelling at the sting site up to the size of quarter. Large local reactions extend out from the site of the sting and involve redness with swelling that can at times involve the entire arm or leg.
Approximately 10 percent of people develop severe redness and swelling after a sting. This is called a large local reaction. The area may become large (4 inches [10 cm] or more) over 1 to 2 days and then slowly resolve over 5 to 10 days.
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. However, serious reactions require medical attention.
About 2 million people in the United States are allergic to bee stings. Three percent of children who are stung will experience allergic reactions.
After intense pain, the area will start to become itchy. Redness, pain, and swelling can last up to seven days after the incident.
If bee stings are left untreated it can cause a life-threatening condition known as anaphylaxis. If a person has epinephrine medication, administer an injection immediately. A second injection can be given 5-15 minutes later if the medics haven't arrived and the person's condition hasn't improved.
These stings will look like a bad mosquito bite, with swelling at the bite site. The area will be red, the center may be white and there may be a small brown stinger still in your skin. A welt may also form.
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. This will worsen itching and swelling and increase your risk of infection.
Large Local Reactions and Bee Sting Swelling Days Later
A local reaction can produce very uncomfortable pain, itching, and swelling. Some of this swelling can be delayed, increasing over 24 to 48 hours. It may take 3 to 10 days for these symptoms to resolve.
You probably won't have a severe allergic reaction the first time you are stung. But even if your first reaction to a sting is mild, allergic reactions can get worse with each sting. Your next reaction may be more severe or even deadly.
Mild reaction
a sharp, burning pain. an area of raised, red skin. slight swelling.
Take just the antihistamine pill at first if the reaction is mild and you don't have breathing difficulties or circulation problems. Depending on the severity of the skin reaction around the sting, take the steroid medication too.
“You can get redness and swelling,” Dr. Wright explains. “It can also feel warm or tender to touch, and if your infection is advancing, you could even get pus in the area.” Other symptoms include redness that spreads on the skin, a fever and chills, or increased pain.