Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Bee, Wasp, or Hornet Sting, Adult
Bee, Wasp, or Hornet Sting, Adult
Elsevier Patient Education © 2023 Elsevier Inc..
Last revised: September 27, 2023.
Bees, wasps, and hornets are part of a family of insects that sting. Normally, a sting will cause pain, redness, and swelling at the sting site. However, some people have an allergy to these stings, and their reactions can be much more serious.
What increases the risk?
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Provoke a stinging insect by swatting or disturbing it.
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Wear strong-smelling soaps, deodorants, or body sprays.
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Spend time outdoors near gardens with flowers or fruit trees or in clothes that expose skin.
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Eat or drink outside.
What are the signs or symptoms?
The reaction to an insect sting can vary from a mild, normal response to life-threatening anaphylaxis. The sting site is often a red lump in the skin, sometimes with a tiny hole in the center, that may still have the stinger in the center of the wound.
Normal reaction
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Pain, redness, and swelling at the sting site. These can develop over 24–48 hours.
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Pain, redness, and swelling that may spread to a larger, connected area beyond the sting site. The spreading can continue over 24–48 hours.
Allergic reaction
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Hives, itching, and swelling.
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Abdominal symptoms including cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
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Chest pain or tightness.
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Wheezing or trouble breathing.
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Swelling of the tongue, throat, or lips.
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Trouble swallowing or hoarse voice.
Anaphylactic reaction
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A sudden and sharp drop in blood pressure.
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Dizziness.
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Loss of consciousness.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is usually diagnosed based on your symptoms and medical history as well as a physical exam. You may have an allergy test to determine if you are allergic to the insect venom.
How is this treated?
If you were stung by a bee, the stinger and a small sac of venom may be in the wound. Remove the stinger as soon as possible. Do this by brushing across the wound with gauze, a clean fingernail, or a flat card such as a credit card. This can help reduce the severity of your body’s reaction to the sting.
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Washing the area thoroughly with soap and water.
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Applying ice to the area to reduce swelling.
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Oral or topical medicines to help reduce pain and itching, if present.
Pay close attention to your symptoms after you have been stung. If possible, have someone stay with you to see if an allergic reaction develops. If allergic symptoms develop, oral antihistamines can be taken and you will need medical help right away.
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Use an auto-injector “pen”(pre-filled automatic epinephrine injection device)at the first sign of an allergic reaction.
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Get medical help right away because the epinephrine is short-acting. It is intended to give you more time to get to an emergency room.
Follow these instructions at home:
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Wash the sting site 2–3 times a day with soap and water as told by your health care provider.
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Apply or take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
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If directed, apply ice to the sting area.
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Put ice in a plastic bag.
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Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
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Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
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Do not scratch the sting area.
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If you had a severe allergic reaction to a sting, you may need to:
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Wear a medical bracelet or necklace that lists the allergy.
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Carry an anaphylaxis kit or an epinephrine auto-injector “pen” with you at all times. Tell your family members, friends, and coworkers when and how to use it. Use it at the first sign of an allergic reaction.
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How is this prevented?
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Avoid swatting at stinging insects and disturbing insect nests.
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Do not use fragrant soaps or lotions and avoid sitting near flowering plants, if possible.
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Wear shoes, pants, and long sleeves when spending time outdoors, especially in grassy areas where stinging insects are common.
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Keep outdoor areas free from nests or hives.
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Keep food and drink containers covered when eating outdoors.
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Wear gloves if you are gardening or working outdoors.
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Find a barrier between you and the insect(s), such as a door, if an attack by a stinging insect or a swarm seems likely.
Contact a health care provider if:
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Your symptoms do not get better in 2–3 days.
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You have redness, swelling, or pain that spreads beyond the area of the sting.
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You have a fever.
Get help right away if:
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Chest tightness or pain.
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Wheezing, or trouble swallowing or breathing.
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Light-headedness, dizziness, or fainting.
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Itchy, raised, red patches on the skin beyond the sting site.
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Abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
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Trouble swallowing or a swollen tongue, throat, or lips.
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Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away.
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Do not drive yourself to the hospital.
Summary
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Stings from bees, wasps, and hornets can cause pain and swelling, but they are usually not serious. However, some people may have an allergic reaction to a sting. This can cause the symptoms to be more severe.
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Pay close attention to your symptoms after you have been stung. If possible, have someone stay with you to look for signs of worsening symptoms.
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Call your health care provider if you have any signs of an allergic reaction.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
