BEE STING
Definition
- Stung by a honeybee, bumblebee, hornet, wasp, or yellow jacket
- The usual symptoms are localized pain, swelling, itching, and mild redness at the sting site.
General Information
- Over 95 percent of stings are from honeybees or yellow jackets.
- The sting injects venom into the human from the bee's stinger.
- Tetanus booster following a sting is not considered necessary.
Anaphylaxis
- Anaphylaxis is the medical term for a severe life-threatening allergic reaction.
- Symptoms of anaphylaxis include: feeling faint or passing out, difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue, hives, wheezing and/or cough. Onset of symptoms is sometimes within seconds and usually within 20 minutes.
- Individuals who have had severe reactions to previous stings should have an anaphylaxis kit (e.g. Ana-Kit, Epi-Pen) and keep it nearby if there is any risk of a sting.
FIRST AID Advice for Anaphylaxis
- Give epinephrine injection if you have an anaphylactic kit. Inject it into the muscle of the upper outer thigh.
See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If
- Bite or sting from an insect other than a bee, wasp or yellow jacket, see INSECT BITES
WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR BEE STING
Call 911 Now (you may need an ambulance) If
- Passed out (fainted)
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Hoarseness, cough or tightness in the throat or chest
- Swollen tongue or difficulty swallowing
- Abdominal pain or vomiting
- Previous life-threatening reaction (not just hives or swelling) to sting. (Note: anaphylaxis usually starts within 20 minutes, and always by 2 hours following a sting.)
- Use First Aid Advice for Anaphylaxis.
Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If
-
You feel weak or very sick
- Hives or swelling elsewhere on the body
- More than 20 stings
- Sting inside the mouth
Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If
- You think you need to be seen
- Sting looks infected (red streaking from the sting area, yellow drainage) (Note: skin infection doesn't start until at least 24-48 hours after the sting. Any redness in the first 24 hours is due to venom.)
- Swelling is huge (e.g. larger than 6 inches; entire hand is swollen)
Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If
- You have other questions or concerns
Self Care at Home If
- Uncomplicated bee, wasp, or yellow jacket sting and you don't think you need to be seen
HOME CARE ADVICE FOR BEE, WASP, OR YELLOW JACKET STING
- Try to Remove the
Stinger (if present):
- The stinger looks like a tiny black dot in the sting.
- There are several different methods of removal. Removing the stinger quickly is more important than how you remove it.
- Use a fingernail, credit card edge or knife-edge to scrape it off. Don't pull it out. (Reason: squeezes out more venom). If the stinger is below the skin surface, leave it alone. It will be shed with normal skin healing.
- In many cases no stinger will be present. Only bees leave their stingers. Wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets do not.
- Meat Tenderizer: Apply a meat tenderizer-water solution on a cotton ball for 20 minutes (EXCEPTION: near the eye). This neutralizes the venom and decreases pain and swelling. If not available, apply a baking soda solution for 20 minutes. For persistent pain, massage with an ice cube for 10 minutes.
- Local Cold - Ice Massage Method: For pain, massage the area of the sting with an ice cube for 10 min as needed.
-
Local Cold - Cold Pack Method:
- Wrap a bag of ice in a towel. (or a bag of frozen vegetables, such as peas)
- Apply this cold pack to the area of the sting for 10-20 minutes.
- You may repeat this as needed, to relieve symptoms of pain and swelling.
-
Pain Medication: For pain relief, take acetaminophen every 4-6 hours
(Adults 650 mg) OR ibuprofen every 6-8 hours (Adults 400 mg).
- Do not take ibuprofen if you have stomach problems, kidney disease, are pregnant, or have been told by your doctor to avoid this type of anti-inflammatory drug. Do not take ibuprofen for more than 7 days without consulting your doctor.
- Do not take acetaminophen if you have liver disease.
- Read the package instructions thoroughly on all medications that you take.
- Antihistamine:
If the sting becomes itchy, take Benadryl (Adults
25-50 mg).
- Do not take Benadryl if you have prostate problems.
- Antihistamines may cause sleepiness. Do not drink, drive, or operate dangerous machinery while taking antihistamines.
- Read the package instructions thoroughly on all medications that you take.
- Expected Course: Severe pain or burning at the site lasts 1 to 2 hours. Normal swelling from venom can increase for 24 hours following the sting. The swelling disappears after 3 to 5 days.
- Call Your Doctor If:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing (generally develops within the first 2 hours after the sting; call 911)
- Swelling becomes huge
- Sting begins to look infected
- You become worse or develop any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.
See Other Topics: