A bee or wasp sting can cause sudden pain, redness and swelling. For many people, the reaction remains around the sting site and gradually improves.
However, in some cases, a sting can trigger a dangerous allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.
1. Immediate pain and burning: Most people experience sharp pain shortly after being stung.
2. Redness and swelling: The area may become red, warm and swollen. A larger local reaction can sometimes spread beyond the immediate sting site.
3. Itching: The sting area may become itchy as the body’s immune system responds to the venom.
4. Multiple stings can be dangerous: Being stung many times can expose the body to a larger amount of venom and may require urgent medical assessment.
5. Severe allergy can happen quickly: Warning signs include difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, widespread hives, dizziness, fainting and vomiting.
What should you do?
Move away from the insects. If a bee leaves its stinger in the skin, remove it promptly by scraping or lifting it away without squeezing the venom sac. Wash the area and apply a cool pack wrapped in cloth.
If there are signs of anaphylaxis, use an adrenaline auto-injector if available and call emergency services immediately. Do not wait to see whether the reaction improves.
A sting may appear minor, but breathing difficulties or swelling around the throat should always be treated as an emergency.
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