During the warm summer months, insect bites and stings are a common occurrence. We tend to spend more of our time outdoors, which can lead to an increased risk of having an unpleasant encounter with an insect. Although bees are not necessarily out to harm us, their stings can be extremely painful. In rare cases, you can also be allergic to bee stings, making it important to understand when to seek medical care for a bee sting.
If you’ve been bitten or stung by an insect, AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst can help. Our team of medical providers is board-certified and available 7 days a week to provide swift medical care for minor injuries such as bug bites and stings. We never require that you schedule an appointment, simply walk into AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst when it’s convenient for you!
What to Do If You’re Stung By a Bee?
Bee stings are incredibly common in the summer months. Although bees may be plentiful, they are not actively trying to sting you. Bees are incredibly passive insects who are mostly only concerned with their job of collecting pollen to make honey. However, there are some instances where you may experience a bee sting, so it is important to know the steps to take if you do get stung.
Firstly, bees are venomous. When you are stung by a bee, the stinger stays in your skin and releases venom into your body. It is important that you remove the stinger immediately because it can continue to release venom even after the bee is detached from the stinger. Although bee stings are painful in any case, it is critical that you know whether you’re allergic to bee venom because allergic reactions from bee stings can be fatal if not treated properly.
Wasp Stings vs Bee Stings
Bees, wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets are all distant cousins. However, the risk of mortality from a bee sting is much higher than from other stinging insects. This is because many people are allergic to bee venom. There are a few other distinct differences between honey bees and other stinging insects that differentiate them and their stings. This includes the fact that bees can only sting you once, while wasps and other stinging insects can sting repeatedly. This can result in an attack from a wasp being much more painful than a single bee sting. Wasps are also much more aggressive than bees and often will target humans while bees tend to ignore humans. It is important to avoid wasps to avoid a sting. However, if a bee comes near you, the best course of action to avoid a sting is to stay calm and still until the bee moves on.
When to Seek Medical Care for a Bee Sting
If you are stung by a bee, the greatest risk factor is having an allergic reaction. If a young child is stung by a bee for the first time, it is especially important to monitor for signs of an allergic reaction because their body is smaller and the venom can move very quickly through their body. If you know that you are not allergic to bees and suffer a sting, you should remove the stinger immediately and treat the sting at home with ice and anti-itch creams.
Common symptoms of an allergic reaction include:
- Swelling or tightness in the chest/throat
- Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
- Confusion
- Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
- Hoarseness in voice
- Lightheadedness
If you experience any of the above symptoms of an allergic reaction following a bee sting, seek emergency care immediately in the emergency room.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Care Lyndhurst for Rapid Insect Bite Care
During the summer months, insect bites are very common. It is important to understand which insect bites require medical care. If you suffer a bee sting, it is important to seek emergency care in the emergency room if you experience any signs of an allergic reaction. For minor bug bites and mild symptoms such as redness, itchiness, and soreness around an insect bite, AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst can help by providing rapid symptom relief. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you. We accept most major medical insurance plans and offer affordable care for patients paying out-of-pocket for their healthcare. Walk in today!
