Usually, during late summer and early fall, bees get close to the end of their season and are preparing to die off. As they fight for survival and resources, they often get “angry”, and are more likely to display aggressive behavior than throughout the first few months of their life span. We are now entering “angry bee season” and you might have questions like “How do I avoid angry bee season?” or “My child is allergic to bee stings, how can I protect them?”
The last thing we want is our children getting stung by a bee and having a potentially fatal allergic reaction. AFC Urgent Care Danbury is here to help answer questions from concerned parents about bee stings and what to do if their child is allergic to bee stings.
How to avoid “Angry Bee Season”
The obvious answer is to avoid the outdoors, but that’s not realistic in many cases. Some of you still have last minute summer plans or have kids in school that are going out for recess. Angry bees will be out in full force through the end of September so it’s time to prepare for the worst case scenario.
- Wear shoes when outdoors, especially in grassy areas.
- Wear clothing to cover as much of the body as possible
- Keep windows and doors screened.
- Keep garbage in sealed receptacles.
- Do not swat at a stinging insect as it increases the likelihood of an aggressive reaction.
- If stung, seek immediate medical attention as reactions can be severe.
- Call a pest professional if you find a nest on your property or suspect an infestation.
If you or your child does get stung however, it's important to understand the difference between a 'normal' reaction to a bee sting, and an allergic reaction to a bee sting.
I’m not allergic to bees, but what does a bee sting look like?
With the majority of bee stings, one will only see minor reactions, such as itching, hives or rashes and soreness.If this is the extent of your reaction, your child is probably not allergic to bee stings.
Steps to take after getting stung by a bee:
- Remove the stinger
- Apply a cold compress or ice
- Treat with tylenol or NSAID
- Apply topical ointment such as Neosporin to fight any possible infection, and possibly Caladryl, to combat itching
AFC Tip: Don't use tweezers to squeeze it out. Using tweezers to remove a bee sting runs the risk of squeezing more venom into the wound. Try removing the stinger by scraping a fingernail over the area or using gauze to wipe it out.
My child is allergic to bee stings. What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis?
In the U.S. only 3% of all children stung by bees experience severe allergic reactions, however please note: sometimes a child might get stung 2 or 3 times before having an allergic reaction. Especially if there is a family history of allergic reactions to bees, parents should always be prepared for an allergic reaction if a child is stung, as a severe allergic reaction can be life threatening. A severe bee sting reaction is known as anaphylaxis. If your child is stung and experiences any of the following severe reactions there is a good possibility that they are allergic to bees.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to bee stings, or anaphylaxis
- Throat closes
- Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
- Racing heart
- Face or mouth swelling
- Fever
Get treated for bee stings at AFC Urgent Care Danbury
If you know your child is allergic to bee stings, you should carry an Epipen on your person at all times. Immediately call 911 or come to one of our 3 Danbury AFC urgent care centers that are closest to you. We can treat you or your child right here, 7 days a week, no appointment needed.
- 76c Newtown Rd.
- 100 Mill Plain Rd.
- 2 Main St.
We are ready to help you identify any allergies at all of our Danbury AFC urgent care centers. Our providers at all three of our locations are well equipped for the challenges of angry bee season. Walk-in or make an appointment online, today!
