• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Concerns about the COVID-19 Vaccine? Learn More

Oak Brook Allergists
  • (630) 574-0460
  • Pollen CountPOLLEN COUNT
  • Request an Appointment
  • Bill Pay
  • Home
  • Our Team
    • David J. Knysak, MD
    • Raymond M. Pongonis Jr., MD
    • Zachary E. Rubin, MD
    • Jennifer Catalfio, PA-C
    • Tammy Laas, APRN-CNP
  • Conditions & Treatments
    • Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)
    • Asthma
    • Chronic Sinusitis
    • Eczema & Hives
    • Food Allergies
    • Oral Immunotherapy
    • Pet Allergies
    • Stinging Insect Allergies
  • For Kids
  • Patient Forms
    • Patient Support Organizations
  • Contact & Locations
    • Downers Grove
    • Elmhurst
    • Naperville
    • Plainfield
  • Blog

When to See A Doctor for A Bee Sting Allergic Reaction

March 19, 2021

For most people, a bee sting is nothing to worry about and home treatments can successfully ease any pain or minor swelling. If, however, you are allergic to a bee sting and you get stung, it may lead to a severe allergic reaction that requires professional medical treatment.

A bee sting can trigger different reactions that can range from temporary discomfort to a severe allergic reaction requiring prompt medical treatment. If you have had an allergic reaction to a bee sting in the past, it is possible that you may suffer a worse reaction if you are stung again in the future.

Symptoms of A Bee Sting Allergy

Often, bee sting symptoms are minor and only cause a mild reaction which usually goes away within a few hours. Symptoms may include:

  • Immediate pain at the sting site (burning or sharp pain)
  • A red welt or raised area at the sting site
  • Itching or swelling around the sting site

Sometimes symptoms such as itching, swelling, and redness may last for up to a week or symptoms may increase gradually over the next day or two. This indicates a moderate reaction and should be monitored.

Speak to Your Doctor for Advice If:

  • You are concerned about your bee sting
  • Your symptoms don’t improve after a few days
  • You have had other allergy symptoms relating to your bee sting

When to Seek Emergency Medical Care

If you have an allergy to a bee sting, the venom can cause a severe, life-threatening reaction. This can involve your whole body and may begin very rapidly after you are stung. 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
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Weakness
  • Hives (skin rash)
  • Itching
  • Wheezing

Multiple bee stings can cause an accumulation of venom, which can induce a toxic reaction and cause symptoms, including:

  • Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
  • Vertigo (spinning sensation)
  • Convulsions
  • Fever
  • Headache, dizziness, or fainting

Without prompt treatment, a severe bee sting allergic reaction or multiple bee stings can lead to breathing difficulties, a drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and even death. To treat a severe allergic reaction, you may require medications such as epinephrine to reduce your body’s allergic response, oxygen to help you breathe, intravenous antihistamines, and other medications.

Treating A Bee Sting

If a bee stings you, in most cases, it will leave its sting in the skin. You should try to remove the sting as soon as possible to prevent any more venom being released. Try to scrape it out sideways with something with a hard edge, such as a finger nail or credit card. Avoid using tweezers or your fingers to pull it out as this can spread the venom. Once the sting is removed:

  • Wash the sting area with soap and water
  • Apply a cold compress to any swelling for a minimum of 10 minutes
  • Try to elevate the affected area to reduce further swelling
  • Avoid scratching the sting site, as this can increase symptoms and the risk of infection
  • If necessary, take an over-the-counter pain reliever or oral antihistamine to alleviate pain or minor swelling
  • If required, hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion can help to relieve itching, redness, and swelling

Preventing Bee Sting Allergic Reactions

If you have a history of a bad bee sting allergic reaction, a board-certified allergist can work with you to identify, treat, and prevent future allergic reactions. They can carry out allergy testing to pin point exact allergy triggers, and can also provide you with an emergency adrenaline kit that can save your life in the event of a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Treatments such as venom immunotherapy can also help to prevent severe bee sting allergic reactions. Venom immunotherapy works by safely introducing small amounts of the venom to your body over a period of time in order to desensitize it to the allergen. It can result in a significantly less severe reaction if you get stung in the future, and it may even prevent an allergic response altogether.

Allergy Specialists in Northeast Illinois

If you or a member of your family has a suspected bee sting allergy, speak to the experienced board-certified allergy specialists at Oak Brook Allergists. We offer allergy testing to accurately identify the cause of your allergy, and we can work with you to create the best treatment plan to make sure you and your family are protected against insect sting allergies.

To find out more about our services, including allergy testing, call us at (630) 574-0460 today or you can request your appointment online now.

 

Filed Under: Allergic Reaction, Insect Bites Tagged With: Allergic Reaction, Allergist, Allergist DuPage County, allergist near me, Allergy Doctors, Allergy Doctors near me, Allergy Symptoms, Bee Sting Allergic Reactions

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Allergic Reaction
  • Allergic Rhinitis
  • Allergies
  • Allergists
  • Asthma
  • COVID-19
  • Eczema
  • Food Allergies
  • Food Intolerances
  • General
  • Grass Allergies
  • Hives
  • Immunotherapy
  • Insect Bites
  • Peanut Allergy
  • Pediatric Allergist
  • Pollen Allergies
  • Ragweed Allergies
  • Sinus Infection
  • Vaccines
March 2021
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  
« Feb   Apr »

TAGS

Allergic Reaction Allergic Reactions Allergic Rhinitis allergic rhinitis treatment near me allergies Allergist Allergist DuPage County allergist near me allergists near me Allergy Doctors Allergy Doctors near me Allergy Symptoms allergy testing allergy treatment Illinois allergy treatment near me Anaphylaxis Asthma Asthma Attacks Asthma Management Asthma Treatment DuPage County Asthma Treatment near me Asthma Treatment Will County asthma triggers COVID-19 covid-19 vaccine Eczema Food Allergy Food allergy testing near me Food Allergy Treatment near me Gluten Intolerance Hives Moderna moderna vaccine Oak Brook Allergists Peanut Allergy Pfizer Pollen Allergy Ragweed Allergies Rash Season Allergies Skin Allergic Reactions skin allergy treatment near me Treatment vaccine information Vaccines

Footer

Oak Brook Allergists Blog

Learn about the latest advances in allergy and asthma treatments, plus news about our practice.

READ MORE

Patient Education

Explore allergy and asthma conditions and treatments in our patient education center.

READ MORE

Oak Brooks Allergists

Copyright © Oak Brook Allergists. All rights reserved.

  • Home
  • Our Team
  • Conditions & Treatments
  • For Kids
  • Patient Forms
  • Blog
  • Patient Education
  • Contact & Locations
  • HIPAA Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Sitemap
iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

At Oak Brook Allergists, our asthma and allergy specialists offer comprehensive care for Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever), Asthma, Chronic Sinusitis, Eczema & Hives, Food Allergies, Pet Allergies, and Stinging Insect Allergies.