A normal reaction results in pain, swelling, and redness around the sting site. A large local reaction results in redness and swelling that extends beyond the sting site. The swelling may extend about 4 inches from the sting site over a period of a couple of days. It should get better within 5 to 10 days.
A bee sting can cause a painful bump. The swelling can become quite large. Lymph Nodes. Most common cause of a lump or mass felt under the skin.
Bee sting venom contains proteins that affect skin cells and the immune system, causing pain and swelling around the sting area. In people with a bee sting allergy, bee venom can trigger a more-serious immune system reaction.
You may have an allergy to bee venom, which can cause a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention and can be life-threatening if left untreated. If you were stung by a bee and experience symptoms like difficulty breathing or dizziness, call 911 or go to the emergency room (ER).
Normal swelling from venom can increase for 48 hours after the sting. The redness can last 3 days. The swelling can last 7 days.
In rare cases, a bee sting can become infected. Symptoms of an infection include redness, swelling, warmth, and pus drainage. It is important to seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible, as some people can experience an allergic reaction.
Step 1: Take Out the Stinger
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.
Moderate bee sting reaction
On their own, these symptoms are nothing to be concerned about and should resolve themselves with time. However, if they progress, the swelling spreads beyond the sting site, or your symptoms last longer than 10 days, you should call your doctor.
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.
The venom affects the body and immune system, and individuals will react to it differently. Research suggests that over time, people may become more sensitive to the venom. This increased sensitivity can in turn cause an allergic reaction, even if a person has never had one before.
The welt may grow in size over a 48-hour period. This reaction remains local to the sting site and doesn't spread to other areas of the body. 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.
In response, the body activates the pain receptor cells and produces histamines, which cause pain, itching, and swelling. Bee stings, although can be very painful, tend to heal on their own without complication. They rarely require a visit to the hospital or clinic, provided the symptoms are mild to moderate.
The swelling and pain usually improve within a few hours. 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.
If you are pulling the stinger out, it is important to not pinch the venom sac at the end of the stinger. If this sac is squeezed or broken, more venom will be released. Clean the area thoroughly with soap and water.
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.
To help alleviate the panic, it's important to know what to do — and not do — to treat a bee sting. The first thing to do is to get the stinger out quickly. The longer the stinger stays in the skin, the more venom it releases, adding to the person's pain and swelling.
Stay Vigilant. Sometimes, severe allergic reactions occur up to 12 hours after an interaction. If your symptoms increase rapidly, don't wait. Call 911.
Sometimes symptoms such as itching, swelling, and redness may last for up to a week or symptoms may increase gradually over the next day or two. This indicates a moderate reaction and should be monitored. Speak to Your Doctor for Advice If: You are concerned about your bee sting.
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.
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.
Medical Treatment for Bee and Wasp Stings
If you have a single sting with no allergic symptoms, you may require only local wound care such as cleaning and applying antibiotic ointment. Any stingers that remain will be removed. And you may be given an oral antihistamine to treat itching.
A stinger will look like a small brown or black dot in the middle of your sting. It will have tiny barbs on it, keeping it lodged in your skin, and perhaps even a venom sac. Don't worry about looking too closely, just try to get it out as quickly and completely as you can.
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.
You shouldn't try to remove it with tweezers, because the stingers of some flying insects – like honeybees – contain a venom sac. “If you use a tweezer to remove the stinger, you risk releasing more venom from the sac,” Dempsey says.
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. In the weeks after a sting, monitor the site closely for any unusual changes in the area.