Bee Stings – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Bee stings happen frequently during outdoor activities. You can prevent stings from bees, wasps, and hornets by taking certain precautions.
When stung, simple first aid techniques help reduce pain for mild to moderate reactions. For severe allergic reactions, emergency medical attention may be necessary.
Bee Sting Signs and Symptoms
Bee stings typically cause immediate pain followed by other reactions that vary in severity. How your body responds to a sting can change from one incident to another.
Mild reactions include sharp, burning pain at the sting site, a red welt, and some swelling. These symptoms usually fade within a few hours without treatment.
Moderate reactions involve more intense symptoms that may worsen over 1-2 days:
- Burning pain at sting site
- Noticeable redness
- Itching
- Flushing of skin
- Increased swelling
These moderate symptoms may take up to a week to completely disappear.
Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) are rare but dangerous and require emergency medical attention. Signs typically appear within 15-60 minutes after being stung and include:
- Skin rash or hives
- Intense itching
- Breathing difficulties
- Swollen tongue or throat
- Trouble swallowing
- Chest tightness
Multiple stings (more than 12) can cause significant reactions even in people without allergies. Symptoms may include:
- All moderate reaction symptoms
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
When to Get Medical Help
Seek emergency care immediately if:
- You show any signs of anaphylaxis, even just one or two symptoms
- You’ve been prescribed emergency epinephrine (use it first, then call 911)
- A child, older adult, or person with heart or breathing problems receives multiple stings
Schedule a doctor’s appointment if:
- Sting symptoms persist for more than three days
- You experience any unusual reactions that might suggest an allergy
Remember that allergic reactions to bee stings can develop at any time, even if you’ve been stung before without problems.
Causes
Bee stings happen when bees inject venom through their barbed stingers into your skin. The venom contains specific proteins that trigger pain and swelling at the sting site.
Most bees aren’t naturally aggressive. They typically only sting when they feel threatened or are defending themselves. This usually results in just one or a few stings.
Some bee species, however, display swarming behavior. Africanized bees are known for this trait and may attack in large groups when they perceive a threat.
This group attack behavior can lead to multiple stings, which poses a greater health risk than single stings.
Risk Factors
Several factors increase your chances of getting stung by a bee:
- Living where bees are common
- Being close to beehives
- Spending lots of time outside
People who work or play outdoors regularly face a higher risk of encountering bees during their active seasons.
How to Avoid Bee Stings
Taking simple steps can help reduce your risk of getting stung by bees and other insects. Here are some practical ways to stay safe:
Watch What You Drink Outdoors
- Use wide, open cups to easily spot bees.
- Check cans and straws before drinking.
- Avoid sweet drinks that attract bees.
Control Food and Waste
- Keep food containers tightly covered.
- Secure trash can lids properly.
- Remove garbage, fallen fruit, and animal waste that might attract flies and wasps.
Dress Appropriately
- Wear closed-toe shoes when outside.
- Avoid bright colors and floral patterns.
- Skip perfumes and scented products.
Be Careful with Outdoor Activities
- Stay away from flower beds.
- Use caution when mowing lawns or trimming plants.
- These activities might disturb hidden hives or nests.
Be Smart Around Stinging Insects
- Stay calm if a few bees fly around you.
- Walk away slowly instead of swatting.
- Cover your mouth and nose if stung.
- Leave the area quickly if many insects appear.
- Get inside a building or vehicle if possible.
If you’ve had a severe reaction to a bee sting before, your risk of a serious reaction next time is about 50%. Talk to your doctor about preventive options like allergy shots to protect yourself from future reactions.
Safely removing beehives and wasp nests near your home is also important. Only attempt this if you can do it safely. Otherwise, call a professional.
