A less common — but still potentially very dangerous — reaction to an insect sting is bee sting
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. Pay close attention to your body's responses and even write down what you experience.
But you may have an allergic reaction if your immune system reacts strongly to allergens in the sting. 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.
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.
Some people may have a stronger allergic reaction to an insect's venom, leading to bee sting side effects, such as a very large, swollen welt. 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.
Make an appointment to see your doctor if: Bee sting symptoms don't go away within a few days. You've had other symptoms of an allergic response to a bee sting.
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.
If you notice any shortness of breath, chest or throat tightening, or swelling away from the site of the sting, especially your tongue or lips, call 911 immediately.
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.
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.
The body typically starts to break down histamine within a few hours, which is why the itchiness from a bee sting usually goes away within a day or two. However, in some cases, the body does not break down histamine as quickly. This can cause the itchiness to last for days or even weeks.
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (called an anaphylactic reaction or anaphylaxis) may include one or more of the following: Trouble breathing. Hives that appear as a red, itchy rash and spread to areas beyond the sting.
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.
These observations suggest that after an insect sting, patients may develop delayed-onset allergic symptoms that range from typical anaphylaxis to serum sickness and are mediated by venom-specific IgE. VIT is recommended for patients with these reactions.
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 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.
Getting a bee sting is no fun. For such a small insect, the pain of a sting can linger for days. Fortunately, although it can hurt, most people only suffer a mild reaction to the sting and heal completely within a few days. “Bees will sting when aggravated or their nest is bothered.
Start empirical antibiotic treatment if any bite wound appears infected (for example, redness, swelling, induration, necrotic tissue, purulent discharge, pain, localised cellulitis, lymphangitis, lymphadenopathy, or fever).
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.
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.
It is normal for the area that has been stung to hurt, have a hard swollen lump, get red and itch. There are kits available to reduce the pain of an insect sting. They are a valuable addition to a first aid kit.
Pain and other symptoms of a bee sting can worsen if you don't get the stinger out quickly. The longer the stinger stays in your skin, the more venom it releases, adding to your pain and swelling. This can also increase the chances of an allergic reaction.
Bee stings can cause pain, swelling, and change in skin color. If swelling lasts for more than 24 hours, people should not worry, as swelling can last up to 7 days. However, if it persists beyond that, they should contact a doctor.