How to Deal With Bee Sting Allergy

A bee has a barbed stinger that injects venom into their victims. If you're not allergic, a bee sting leaves a painful welt. If you are allergic, you may develop hives, severe itching at the site or even go into anaphylactic shock which, if not treated, is fatal. If you or a family member has a bee sting allergy, you must know how to treat it.

Instructions

• 1

  Be watchful of children the first time they get stung by a bee. Allergic reactions include hives, itching/ swollen eyes, dry coughing, difficulty breathing, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, swelling of the tongue, dizziness and fainting. Allergic reactions usually occur within minutes after the bee sting, though a reaction can occur 24 hours after the sting.

• 2

  Contact emergency services if someone you know has a run-in with a bee. The sooner the treatment is for a bee sting, the better.

• 3

  Carry epinephrine (adrenaline) with you if you know you have a major bee sting allergy. You inject epinephrine into the skin after a bee sting to combat the side effects. Contact your care provider after getting stung, even if you use epinephrine, since the allergy may return after the drug wears off, or may not be enough to combat the allergic reaction.

• 4

  Consider taking an antihistamine (such as Benadryl) if you know you have a mild allergic reaction to bee stings. Antihistamines will help with hive reactions to bee stings.