Ouch! I got stung by a bee!

Summer is coming to an end and children want to spend outside as much as they can before the new school year begins. Unfortunately, there are some things we need to pay attention to when enjoying the outdoors, especially during the later half of summer into early fall. 

Did you know that late summer into early fall is known as “angry bee” season? Have you noticed a lot of bees out lately? It’s not your imagination. Bees are out and they are more aggressive during this time of the year. If you’re not careful, you might get stung.

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

What do I do if I get stung by a bee? (Immediate steps)

1. A bee usually leaves behind a stinger attached to a venom sac. Try to remove it as soon as possible using a scraping motion, avoid 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. Clean 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. If stung anywhere in the mouth, one must seek immediate medical attention because this can quickly cause severe swelling that may block airways.
7. Get medical care if there is 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.

How to prevent getting stung by angry bees

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

• If you are in the outdoors and have sweets around, it is best to keep drinks closed and put food away. Bees LOVE sweets. Following these tips will avoid attracting a colony of bees while on a picnic. 
• If you are heading to a field where there will likely be bees, make sure to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes that cover your whole foot.
• Keep garbage in sealed receptacles. When visiting a public park or playground, steer clear of open or full garbage bins as bees are often nearby
• Avoid wearing brightly colored and flower print clothing to keep bees away.
• Avoid fragrances or cosmetics with floral scents.
• Contactl a pest professional if you notice a hive or nest on your property
• If a bee “bumps” into you, run! Chances are that you may be near one of their hives. They usually send a “guard” bee to scout the area of intruders.

Let it just “bee” or risk getting stung. 

Treatment 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. Although you can make an appointment online if you prefer an easier way to check in. 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.