Have you noticed a lot of bees out lately during your outings? It’s not your imagination and they are more aggressive this time of year. Why? Because we’re entering angry bee season!

“Angry bee” season starts around late summer into early fall. Bees and wasps are coming to an end of their life cycle which means they become increasingly aggressive and ready to sting.  Everyone reacts differently to bee stings and it is important to differentiate between a “common” non-allergic reaction and an allergic reaction when it occurs. 

AFC Urgent Care West Springfield is here to guide you through angry bee season with steps on preventing bee stings, and what to do if your child gets stung. Here’s some important information on what you should know.

Is my child allergic to bee stings?

Allergies are sometimes hereditary. If a parent has allergies, they need to be more cautious with their child although children will often outgrow their allergy. If your child is stung by a bee and has a severe reaction, 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. Often, a child can get stung 2 or 3 times before developing an allergic reaction, so it's important to be on the lookout if there is family history of bee allergies.

If you are worried that your child is allergic, you may want to have them tested. It is not necessary unless they have had a serious reaction because it is often a lengthy process and few people are actually allergic. Also, with both types of allergy tests used, the results are the RAST test (a blood test) is the simplest but has about a 20 percent false-negative, false-positive result ratio.

A more sensitive test  is a scratch test on the skin that is performed with purified, freeze-dried venom. It can alert the patient and doctor to the severity of the allergy, while the blood test will only point to the fact that an allergy exists. Fortunately, only about 20 percent of patients with positive skin test results will later experience severe allergic reactions.

• One should wait until a systemic reaction has occurred before worrying about allergies.

• The first allergic reaction is rarely that bad, but once again, see an allergist if a reaction spreads beyond the sting site.

Symptoms to look for if you are allergic to bee stings

If your child shows the following symptoms, they are most likely suffering an allergic reaction to bees. A severe allergic reaction can cause anaphylactic  reactions:

• difficulty breathing
• racing heart
• swelling of the face and mouth
• feeling faint
• throat starts to close up
• severe hives and or itching
• high fever
• headache

Treating a non-allergic reaction when stung by a bee or wasp

For normal, non-allergic reactions you must remove the stinger immediately. Avoid using tweezers to squeeze the stinger out. This increases the risk of spreading more venom. Try to use your fingernail to scrape out the stinger or use a gauze to wipe it out.

After removing the stinger, apply a cold compress or ice to reduce swelling. Applying a dab of Neosporin can prevent possible infection and applying calamine lotion can alleviate the itching. For pain, you can take an aspirin or acetaminophen.

Wouldn’t it be nice to just avoid a bee sting altogether? Although not always preventable, here are a few things you can do to avoid getting stung by a bee or wasp.

How to avoid getting stung

• Avoid wearing 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 try to fly into the can and sting the drinker when he or she takes a sip.
• Wear long pants and shoes that cover your whole foot if you are going into a field where there will likely be bees.
• Keep garbage in sealed receptacles. Steer clear of open or full garbage bins when out at a public park or playground
• Don't run and don't swat at bees if there are some around or on you. Standing still will keep the bees calm and, most likely, they will fly away without causing harm.
• Contact a pest professional if you notice a hive or nest on your property.

My child got stung by a bee and is ALLERGIC. What should I do?

Here's what to do if you know that your child will develop a severe allergic reaction when stung by a bee or wasp:

• Your child, or you,must 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.

AFC Urgent Care West Springfield can see you for bee stings

Expect to see more bees during angry bee season! We’ll be here in case you do get stung by a bee. You can check in and we’ll check out your bee sting at AFC Urgent Care West Springfield. We are affordable, convenient, and we provide quality care to all of our friends and families in the West Springfield community.

There is no appointment needed. Although you can make an appointment online, if you prefer. 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.