Ouch! Mom, I got stung by a bee!

Kids are going to be kids. It’s the end of summer and they want to be outside as much as they can before school starts. But, they’re still outdoor dangers to be aware about, especially during the later half of summer into early fall.

Did you know, the end of summer into early fall is known for “angry bee” season? It’s not your imagination either. Bees are out and about and they are more aggressive during this time. If you’re not careful, they’ll sting you at any moment.

Angry bee season is already here and AFC Urgent Care Dedham has created a guide to help you treat and avoid bee stings.

What to do if you get stung by a bee (Immediate steps)

1. A bee will usually leave behind a stinger attached to a venom sac. Try to remove it as quickly as possible using a scraping motion, without pinching the venom sac at the end. (Wasps don't leave their stingers in the skin after stinging, which means they can sting more than once.)
2. Wash the area carefully with soap and water. Do this two to three times a day until the skin is healed.
3. Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth or a cold, wet washcloth for a few minutes.
4. Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain.
5. For pain and itching, give an over-the-counter oral antihistamine if your child's health care provider says it's OK; follow dosage instructions for your child's age and weight. You could also apply a corticosteroid cream or calamine lotion to the sting area.
6. A sting anywhere in the mouth needs immediate medical attention because this can quickly cause severe swelling that may block airways.
7. Get medical care if you notice a large skin rash or swelling around the sting site, or if swelling or pain lasts for more than 3 days, which could be signs of an infection.

What about preventing/avoiding angry bee stings?

Although it would be nice to avoid bee stings altogether,  this time of year we are seeing a lot of bee stings and allergic reactions. Here’s a list of things you can try so that you can avoid getting stung by a bee.

• If you are outside and have sweets around, it is best to keep drinks closed and put food away. Bees LOVE sweets. You don’t want to attract a colony of bees while on a picnic.
• If you are going into a field where there will likely be bees, wear long pants and shoes that cover your whole foot.
• Keep garbage in sealed receptacles. When out at a public park or playground, steer clear of open or full garbage bins as bees are often nearby
• Avoid brightly colored and flower print clothing to help keep bees away.
• Avoid fragrances or cosmetics with floral scents.
• Call a pest professional if you notice a hive or nest on your property
• If a bee “bumps” into you, run! You may be near one of their hives and they usually send a “guard” bee to scout the area of intruders.

Let it “bee” or risk getting stung.

Being seen for bee stings at AFC Urgent Care Dedham

If all else fails and you still get stung by a bee and need to be seen for treatment, AFC Urgent Care Dedham can help! We are affordable, convenient and we provide quality care to all of our friends and families in the Dedham community.

There is no appointment needed. We are open 7 days a week with extended hours on the weekdays from 8 am to 8 pm and weekend hours from 8 am to 5pm. We also accept most insurances.