Most bee stings and insect bites cause only mild reactions and are a normal part of spending time outdoors. Some people, however, experience allergic reactions ranging from mild to severe.

Yosemite Clinic treats a wide range of mild to moderate reactions to insect bites and stings, as well as mild to moderate allergic reactions. Our emergency room opens 24/7, 365 days a year, with no appointment necessary.

What Are Symptoms Of Bee And Insect Stings?

Most bee and insect stings cause only mild to moderate symptoms, such as pain, redness, swelling, and itching. These usually subside within a few days.

What To Do For A Bee Sting Or Insect Bite

Although painful, most bee, hornet, and wasp stings aren’t serious. Any pain and itching should subside within a few days. See how to treat a bee or wasp sting.

For those with a bee sting allergy, however, bee and wasp stings can be serious or even life-threatening. Make sure you pay attention to signs of a severe allergic reaction.

What To Do For A Bee Sting Or Wasp Bite Allergic Reaction

Some people have severe allergic reactions to insect bites and stings. A severe allergic reaction to a bee, wasp, or hornet sting—known as anaphylaxis—is a life-threatening emergency.

Call emergency hotline for help if you notice any of the following symptoms, or if the victim is a child with a scorpion sting:

• Difficulty breathing

• Swelling of the tongue, lips, eyelids, or throat

• Hives

• Rapid pulse

• Nausea, vomiting, cramps, or diarrhea

• Dizziness, fainting, confusion, or loss of consciousness

If none of these symptoms is present, you can treat and cure a mild sting at home, or seek medical help from your nearest clinic or hospital.

How To Treat A Bee Or Wasp Sting?

Most stings cause only mild discomfort and symptoms should subside within a day or two. For bee or wasp sting relief, and to lessen the severity of the reaction, take the following steps:

• Move the victim to avoid more stings

• Lower the affected area below heart level immediately to reduce the spread of venom

• Remove the stinger if it is still present (you can use a credit card to scrape it out)

• Keep the victim as calm and quiet as possible

• Wash the affected area with soap and water

For wasp and bee sting treatment, your FastMed practitioner may prescribe the following:

• Applying cool compresses to decrease swelling

• Elevating the area to reduce pain and swelling

• Treating pain with hydrocortisone or an over-the-counter pain medication* such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen

If you’ve previously been stung by a fire ant, you may have a more severe reaction to bee and wasp stings, as they contain the same type of venom.

*Follow the medical directions for each of these medications, and pay particular attention to the directions for children under two years of age.

What To Put On A Bee Or Wasp Sting

Most bee, wasp, and hornet stings cause only a mild reaction. For these, use hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to help relieve itching, swelling, and redness. Oral antihistamines like Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton can also be used if itching and swelling are more severe.

Cover the area with a bandage to prevent scratching the sting. If the skin breaks while scratching, this can potentially lead to infection. If the site still becomes infected, visit your nearest clinic or hospital as soon as possible for treatment.

What To Do For Bee Sting And Wasp Bite Swelling

Cool compresses should help you avoid swelling. Any swelling that remains can be alleviated by elevating the area and using hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion. Oral antihistamines like Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton can be taken if itching and swelling become more severe.