Bees are suddenly swarming your outdoor picnics, playgrounds and parks. It’s not your imagination. Angry bee season is upon us and it’s time to prepare for bee stings, bee swarms and bee allergies. Why? Because bees are getting close to the end of their life cycle and are preparing to die off. Their resources are almost depleted and they’re fighting to survive, making them more angry, aggressive and in a stinging mood!

Bee stings…sting!...literally. But for some, it can be potentially fatal if you’re allergic. AFC Urgent Care Natick has created a very intuitive guide on how to prevent and treat bee stings so that you and your loved ones can enjoy the rest of your summer.

If a bee “bumps” into you, it’s time to run!

Most colonies of bees may think you're a predator and will send a few bees to guard and attack if necessary. So, if you’re in your backyard or out and about and a bee “bumps” into you, run away! If running is your first instinct, then run like the wind. 

According to the CDC , bees release a chemical when they sting, which may attract other bees. We suggest you run indoors or go to your car as quickly as you can to avoid an angry bee attack.

Avoid swatting or smacking a bee!

You might think it’ll go away, but smacking it or killing an angry bee will NOT solve the problem. In fact, there might be more bees around the corner than you think! We mentioned earlier that bees can release a chemical that attracts other bees when stinging. Killing a bee can also have the same effect. 

This is not ideal, especially if you are with a group of friends or loved ones who are allergic to bees. You don’t want to be the reason they end up going to the hospital. A wiser alternative is to let it “bee”. Only run indoors if they start swarming and coming after you!

Remove the bee stinger!

Removing the stinger  is not an easy task. Most people think that you need to pull or squeeze it out. But, we suggest you don’t do this so that the stinger doesn’t spread any more venom into the afflicted area. Instead here’s what we suggest you to do immediately after getting stung by a bee:

• Treat the pain with tylenol or NSAID
• Apply topical ointment such as Neosporin to fight any possible infection, and possibly Caladryl, to combat itching
• Scrape the stinger out with your fingernail or use a gauze to wipe it out
• Apply a cold compress or ice to reduce inflammation

Extra Tips: 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. Credit cards can also work!

How can I soothe a bee sting?

Sometimes bee stings can feel irritated and itchy for a few days. You can reduce pain, itch and swelling of a bee sting with these at home remedies:

• Baking soda: Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply to the sting site. The alkaline nature of the baking soda helps to neutralize the acidity in the venom. 
• Vinegar: Vinegar is a sting soother. Use this trick to remember: Baking soda for bees (both at the beginning of the alphabet), vinegar for wasps (both at the end of the alphabet). 
• Toothpaste: This is a great remedy which works on the same alkaline/acidity premise as baking soda. 

If you’re highly allergic to bee stings, do this:

If you or someone is allergic, you should always carry a bee sting kit. This includes a bronchodilator epinephrine shot (Epipen) or inhaler, which will dilate the airways and allow your child to breathe. If the person gets an allergic reaction, call 911 or bring them in to us as soon as possible. They will need to be treated immediately.

Got Stung By A Bee? AFC Urgent Care Natick Can Help!

For the next couple of weeks, we are anticipating a lot of angry bee stings and people coming in with bee stings and allergies. And, if you do get stung and are allergic, AFC Urgent Care Natick is here and ready to treat your bee sting and help you remove the stinger, if you can’t.

There is no appointment needed. Although you can make an appointment if you prefer an easier way to check in. You can walk right into our center seven days a week for bee stings, COVID-19 testing, X-rays, lab work, minor injuries, and more treatable urgent care needs.