Large local reactions commonly peak at 24-48 hours and may persist for several days. Elevate the affected limb and apply a cold compress. The appearance may resemble cellulitis but antibiotics should be avoided unless swelling increases more than 48 hours after the sting or systemic signs suggest secondary infection.
Persistent swelling: 24 hours or more
People can treat swelling at home by: taking OTC anti-inflammatory drugs. taking antihistamines to reduce the swelling. applying a cold compress or ice to the affected area.
Severe pain or burning at the site lasts 1 to 2 hours. Normal swelling from venom can increase for 48 hours after the sting. The redness can last 3 days. The swelling can last 7 days.
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.
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.
Call 911 if you've been stung more than 25-50 times, are having difficulty breathing, feel lightheaded or are having an allergic reaction.
Typically, bee sting serum sickness occurs a few days or a week after the insect sting. Some recorded cases of bee sting serum sickness have been observed after people have intentionally used bee toxins as an alternative therapy.
You should only need to treat your bee sting for a few days with hydrocortisone cream, and no more than a week. Antihistamines such as cetirizine or loratadine (brand names include Reactine, Zyrtec and Claritin) are pills you can take once a day for moderate to severe itching.
You'll likely see a red bump. If a stinger was left behind, you'll also see a small black filament sticking out of the center. It may have a bulbous end, which is the venom sac. If the skin around the stinger is loose, pull it tight to get a better look.
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.
It's important to note that redness, swelling, and pain are common symptoms after a bee sting, so wait a few days before you start suspecting infection. Dr. Wright notes that infections appear in as little as a few days, but they can also take weeks to present, leading you to believe that your wound is healing.
Reactions occurring more than four hours after a bee or other insect sting are classified as delayed reactions. There have been isolated reports of serum sickness-like syndromes occurring about a week after a sting.
As long as you're not allergic to bee venom, your immune system will react to the sting by sending fluids there to flush out the melittin, causing swelling and redness. The pain may last several days, but can be soothed with a cold compress or an antihistamine.
Some people who get stung by a bee or other insect have a bit stronger reaction, with signs and symptoms such as: Extreme redness. Swelling at the site of the sting that gradually enlarges over the next day or two.
Baking soda, when mixed with water, is said to help neutralize bee venom, reducing pain, itching, and swelling. Mix baking soda with enough water to make a paste, then apply a generous amount onto the affected area. Cover the area with a bandage, then leave it on for at least 15 minutes. Reapply, as needed.
Baking soda paste – Mix a little soda with water. It neutralizes the bee venom. Apple cider vinegar – It can neutralize venom, similar to baking soda. Honey – The anti-oxidants in it may help with wound healing and pain - similar to its healing properties for allergies.
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.
A bee stinger must be removed on priority because it can cause serious consequences if it is not removed promptly. This is because the stinger releases venom. Hence, the longer it is left in the skin, the more venom will be released leading to exaggerated pain, swelling, and other symptoms.
A large local reaction can be defined as swelling at the site of the sting exceeding 10 centimeters. These symptoms may continue developing for up to a few hours after the incident. If the sting happened on your arms or legs, the symptoms could last for days or weeks while still being considered a local reaction.
The most common symptom of an allergic reaction is swelling at the site of the sting. This can range from a small, localized reaction to a large, systemic reaction. Other symptoms may include hives, itching, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, or fainting.
Itching, hives, or swelling over a large part of your body -- not just where you got stung. Face, throat or tongue starts to swell. Trouble breathing. Wheezing or hoarseness.
Bites and stings may become infected. Signs of infection include redness, warmth, pain, redness streaking up the arm, drainage of pus, and swelling. Infections will need treatment with antibiotics and should get better over the next 10 days.
Epinephrine is a medication that can help to reduce bee sting allergy symptoms. You may also need to be treated with antihistamines and cortisone through an IV. Your doctor will likely prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector to carry with you at all times.
Bee venom contains several active molecules such as peptides and enzymes that have advantageous potential in treating inflammation and central nervous system diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.