However, always wrap the ice pack in a cloth to protect the skin from damage. Rubbing a sting with an ice cube can help to reduce pain, as can applying an ice pack. Do not apply this paste near a person’s eye.Īnother option is to make a paste of baking soda. As a result, pain and swelling will decrease. This powder contains enzymes that can neutralize the yellow jacket’s venom. Make a paste by mixing water and meat tenderizer powder. This medication is available over the counter or online and should be applied three times a day. Putting a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream onto the sting site can help to reduce itching and swelling. Stinging insect allergy: Current perspectives on venom immunotherapy.Share on Pinterest An over-the-counter cream can be used to reduce swelling and discomfort. FDA alerts patients and health care professionals of EpiPen auto-injector errors related to device malfunctions and user administration.You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. We link primary sources - including studies, scientific references, and statistics - within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Those whose allergic reactions are severe should ask their doctor or allergist for further information about the treatment. Gradually increasing the dose over about 3 years helps the immune system build up a tolerance to the venom.Ī 2015 review of VIT suggested VIT is an effective treatment for bee sting allergy. VIT involves a course of injections of increasingly high doses of bee venom. Someone who has had a severe allergic reaction to bee stings, or has other risk factors, can receive a form of this treatment known as venom immunotherapy (VIT). Long-term treatmentĭesensitization immunotherapy is a treatment designed to reduce a person’s sensitivity to particular allergens. Doing so will help to counteract weakness and dizziness by assisting blood flow to the heart.

While waiting for the emergency services to arrive, the person should lay on their back with feet elevated. Although rare, venom anaphylaxis can cause cardiac arrest within 5-10 minutes of being stung. A person with a severe allergy should carry an EpiPen with them at all times.Īnyone experiencing one or more symptoms of anaphylaxis should get to an emergency room as soon as possible, even if they have self-administered epinephrine.

Epinephrine temporarily reverses the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. If someone has an epinephrine injection device (EpiPen), they should use it immediately. Doctors may also administer oxygen and intravenous fluids. Severe, systemic reactions require an urgent shot of epinephrine, which will help to reduce the severity of the allergic reaction. Symptoms should subside over the course of a couple of days. Use a cold compress, apply steroid ointments, and take antihistamines to help reduce itchiness and inflammation. Removing the stinger will limit the amount of venom released into the bloodstream. A person may want to use a pair of tweezers to do this. Treating a mild to moderate reactionĪfter a bee sting, remove the stinger as soon as possible, taking care to avoid squeezing the venom sac. The treatment for bee sting reaction will depend upon the severity of the allergic reaction. The following symptoms of anaphylaxis develop rapidly: In certain individuals, a bee sting can cause anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction requiring emergency medical treatment. If a person experiences a LLR, there is a 5-10% risk that they will develop a systemic allergic reaction to a sting in the future.

Symptoms include severe redness around the sting, as well as swelling around the sting, which may gradually increase in size to a diameter of 10 centimeters (cm)or more over a period of 24–48 hours In such cases, the symptoms can take over a week to heal completely. In a person with a moderate bee sting reaction, the body has a stronger response to bee venom, called a large local reaction (LLR). They are limited to the site of the sting itself, and include: The majority of bee sting symptoms are very mild and do not require medical attention. A person can have a mild, moderate, or severe reaction shortly after being stung by a bee. The symptoms of a bee sting vary depending on how allergic the person is. Share on Pinterest Redness and swelling characterize a mild reaction.

Bee stings