How to Tell If You’re Allergic to Bee Stings

Are you worried that you or one of your children may be allergic to bee stings? Those who aren’t allergic to a bee sting will usually have nothing more than a bit of redness and swelling at the site of the sting.

Anyone who is allergic could have a much more drastic reaction and that could lead to death if not treated. So, how do you know if you’re allergic?

Signs of a Bee Sting Allergy

In a normal sting situation, you will have some severe pain for up to two hours after being stung. The area will swell slightly, turn red in the immediate vicinity of the sting and then be itchy. These symptoms may last for up to seven days.

Allergic symptoms may show up at any point in the first two hours after being stung, so if this is your first time being stung by a bee, you should be aware of this. The reaction is called an anaphylactic reaction and it will tend to progress very quickly.

The first indication of an anaphylactic reaction is usually hives, which will appear as red spots on the body and face. After these appear, you may experience a headache, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. Nausea and even vomiting are common, but it may become difficult to swallow.

In many cases, your blood pressure will drop and your heart rate will decrease. This can cause you to fall unconscious. This can progress very quickly, so as soon as you notice hives, you should call emergency services.

Can You Find Out Beforehand If You’re Allergic?

You can see an allergist to find out if you are allergic to insect bites and stings. They will test you for multiple stings and help you determine what creatures you’re actually allergic to. From there, you will come up with a plan to stay safe, which usually means staying away from areas where there are bees.



Treating Bee Sting Allergies

The best method of treating a bee sting if you have an allergy is to get the stinger out of the skin as soon as possible to prevent more venom from entering the body. This may be done by scraping it out of the skin with a card or the back of a knife. Never pinch the sac out, as it will squeeze more venom into the body.

You should immediately call for an ambulance. If you know you’re allergic, your doctor may offer an adrenaline kit so you can inject yourself immediately and reduce the allergic reaction.

When you or someone you love has a bee allergy, it can be quite frightening to see a bee near your home. If you notice they are beginning to come around, you may wish to contact Mr. Wasp to get rid of the bees safely. This allows both you and the bees to live life in peace and security. Contact Mr. Wasp today for an appointment.