Bees are out and if they seem more aggressive these days it isn’t your mind playing tricks on you. Late summer into early fall is the height of the "angry bee" season. As bees and wasps near the end of their life cycle, they become increasingly aggressive and ready to sting. Everyone reacts differently to bee stings and it is important to differentiate between a "normal", non allergic reaction and an allergic reaction when it happens. As some have the normal, but minor soreness, itching and hives others who are allergic to bees can experience life threatening symptoms and situations.
Here at AFC Urgent Care West Hartford we have seen a dramatic upswing of kids walking through our doors with painful sores and welts from stings. Keep your children safe with this guide on what to do if my child is allergic to bee stings and what you should do if they get stung by a bee.
How to know if my child is allergic to bee stings?
Allergies are often hereditary, so an allergic parent should be more cautious with their child, although children will often outgrow their bee allergy. If your child is stung by a bee and a severe reaction occurs, an allergist should be seen as soon as possible. Future stings could result in reactions that are up to 60 percent worse than the first allergic reaction. Also, often a child can get stung 2 or 3 times before having an allergic reaction, so it's important to be vigilant if there is family history of bee allergies.
What are the symptoms if you are allergic to bee stings
If your child reacts with the following symptoms they are most likely suffering an allergic reaction to bees. A severe allergic reaction can cause the following, oft called anaphylactic reactions:
- throat starts to close up
- severe hives and or itching
- high fever
- headache
- difficulty breathing
- racing heart
- face or mouth swelling
- feeling faint
How to treat a non-allergic reaction when stung by a bee or wasp
For normal, non-allergic reactions you want to remove the stinger. Avoid using tweezers to squeeze them out. This can increase the risk of spreading more venom. If you can try to use your fingernail to scrape out the stinger or use a gauze to wipe the stinger out.
After that initial step apply a cold compress or ice to reduce swelling. You can apply a dab of Neosporin to prevent possible infection and also apply calamine lotion to prevent itching. For pain you can take an aspirin or acetaminophen.
It would be nice to just avoid a bee sting altogether. Although not always preventable, there are a few things you can do to help prevent being stung by a bee or wasp.
How to prevent being stung by a bee
- Avoid brightly colored and flower print clothing to help keep bees away.
- Avoid fragrances or cosmetics with floral scents.
- Always be careful with food and sweet drinks such as soda. Bees will often fly into the can and sting the drinker when he or she takes a sip.
- 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
- If there are bees around or on you, don't run and don't swat at them. Standing still will keep the bees calm and, most likely, they will fly away without causing harm.
- Call a pest professional if you notice a hive or nest on your property.
What to do if my child just got stung by a bee or wasp and is allergic
Here's what to do if you already know that your child will develop a severe allergic reaction when stung by a bee or wasp:
- Your child, or you, should always carry a bee sting kit that includes a bronchodilator epinephrine shot (Epipen) or inhaler, which will dilate the airways and allow your child to breathe.
- Call 911 or bring them into our center as soon as possible. They will need to be treated immediately.
At AFC Urgent Care West Hartford you can walk right in, no appointment necessary, to our walk-in clinic located at 1030 Boulevard, West Hartford, CT 06119-1801. We accept most insurances and all our locations are open 7 days a week 8am-8pm M-F, 8am-5pm weekends.
