An anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting can cause symptoms such as hives, nausea, and difficulty breathing. If you have symptoms of anaphylaxis, seek medical treatment immediately.

Bee stings usually do not cause a serious reaction. But if you’re allergic to bee stings or get several stings at once, you might experience a severe reaction such as anaphylaxis. An anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting requires immediate medical attention.

Mild, local symptoms of a bee sting can include:

  • pain or itching at the site of the sting
  • a white spot where the stinger punctured your skin
  • redness or discoloration and slight swelling around the sting

Severe symptoms of a bee sting allergy can include:

  • hives
  • flushed or pale skin
  • swelling of your throat, face, and lips
  • headache
  • dizziness or fainting
  • nausea and vomiting
  • abdominal cramping and diarrhea
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • a decrease in blood pressure
  • a weak and rapid pulse
  • loss of consciousness

Certain people are at a higher risk of a bee sting allergy than others. Risk factors include:

  • living near active beehives or in an area where bees are actively pollinating plants
  • spending lots of time outside
  • being 40 years old or older
  • having a previous allergic reaction to a bee sting
  • having mastocytosis, a condition in which your immune system produces too many mast cells, causing inflammation and symptoms like an allergic reaction

Adults are more likely than children to have serious reactions to bee stings.

If you have a known allergy to bee, wasp, or yellow jacket venom, you need to carry a bee sting kit with you when spending time outdoors. This kit will include one or more epinephrine auto-injectors, which are often known by the brand name “EpiPen.” Epinephrine is a medication that treats anaphylaxis.

It’s important to learn how to use the auto-injector and teach friends and family how to use it in case they need to help you in an emergency.

Most people who have been stung by a bee don’t need medical attention. If you don’t have a known allergy to bee stings, monitor any minor symptoms you might have, such as mild swelling and itching.

If those symptoms don’t go away within a few days or if you start to experience more severe symptoms, contact a doctor.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as trouble breathing or trouble swallowing, call 911 and use an epinephrine auto-injector if you have one. You also need to seek medical help after a bee sting if you have a known bee sting allergy or if you get multiple stings at once.

When you call 911, the operator will ask for your age, weight, and symptoms. It can also be helpful to tell them what type of insect stung you and when the sting happened.

Treating a bee sting involves removing the stinger and caring for any symptoms. Treatment techniques include:

  • using your fingernail or the edge of a credit card to remove the stinger (do not use tweezers, which could squeeze more venom from the stinger into your skin)
  • cleaning the area with soap and water
  • applying ice to ease pain and swelling
  • applying a cream, such as hydrocortisone, to reduce itching and redness or other discoloration
  • taking an antihistamine, such as Benadryl, to reduce itching and swelling
  • taking an over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen

If someone you’re with is experiencing an allergic reaction, call 911 immediately. While waiting for paramedics to arrive, you can take the following steps:

  1. Check the person’s airways and breathing. Start CPR, if necessary.
  2. Reassure the person that help is coming.
  3. Remove constricting clothing and any jewelry in case of swelling.
  4. If the person has a bee sting emergency kit, give them an epinephrine injection.
  5. If they show symptoms of shock, such as paleness, a fast heart rate, trouble breathing, or loss of consciousness, move them into shock position: Lay them on their back and raise their legs 12 inches above their body.
  6. Keep the person warm and comfortable.

If you go to the hospital for an allergic reaction to a bee sting, healthcare professionals will monitor your vital signs, including your:

  • pulse
  • breathing rate
  • blood pressure
  • temperature

Healthcare professionals will give you medication, such as epinephrine, to treat the allergic reaction. You might also receive other emergency treatment for a bee sting allergy, such as:

  • oxygen to help you breathe
  • antihistamines and corticosteroids to control inflammation
  • breathing treatments to help you breathe more easily
  • CPR if your heart stops beating or you stop breathing

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to a bee sting, a doctor will prescribe you an epinephrine auto-injector. You need to carry two auto-injectors with you at all times in case you experience an anaphylactic reaction and need more than one dose of epinephrine.

Your doctor might also refer you to an allergist, who may suggest allergy shots (also known as immunotherapy). This treatment involves receiving several shots that contain a very small amount of bee venom over a period of time. Allergy shots can help reduce or eliminate your allergic reaction to bee stings.

Here are some steps you can take to avoid bee stings:

  • Don’t swat at insects.
  • If you notice any hives or nests around your home, have them removed.
  • Avoid wearing perfume when outdoors.
  • Avoid wearing brightly colored or floral print clothing outdoors.
  • Wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and gloves, when spending time outdoors.
  • Walk calmly away from any bees you see.
  • Be careful when eating or drinking outside.
  • Keep any outdoor trash covered.
  • Keep your car windows closed when driving.

If you’re allergic to bee venom, carry two epinephrine auto-injectors with you at all times and wear a medical ID bracelet that indicates your allergy. Make sure your friends, family members, and co-workers know how to use an epinephrine auto-injector and how to help you in an emergency.

Anyone who has a bee sting allergy might experience an anaphylactic reaction to a sting. Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that requires prompt medical treatment. If you’ve been stung by a bee and experience symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as swelling, hives, nausea, or trouble breathing, call 911 or go to the hospital right away.

If you have any known allergies that could lead to anaphylaxis, you need to carry two epinephrine auto-injectors with you at all times. Make sure your family, your friends, and others who spend a lot of time with you know how to use an auto-injector and what to do in case of an anaphylactic reaction.