Bee Stings

by Tina Beckham, MSN, RN, CFNP           

The surprise, pain and tears of a bee sting can be one of the most memorable moments of childhood. Bee’s by nature are not aggressive creatures unless they are provoked. Honeybees have stingers that are used for defense and die once they have stung. Most stings occur in the fall when flowers have disappeared and bee’s widen their search for food and take more risks. Bee’s are attracted to perfumes, scented soaps, lotions and oils. Children should avoid wearing brightly colored clothing or floral patterns.

What to do if a bee lands on you:

• Hold still and try gently blowing on the bee to get it to move.

• No rapid movements as this will startle the bee and encourage stinging.

What to do if your child is stung:

• The bee’s stinger is filled with venom. Remove it IMMEDIATELY.  The sooner the stinger is removed, the less venom gets in.  A flat edged credit card or dull butter knife works well. If you see a little black dot in the wound, part of the stinger is still present.

• Wash with soap and water. 

• Apply ice or cool water for 10-30 minutes after the sting.

• An antihistamine, such as Benadryl, may help reduce symptoms.

• Give Tylenol or Ibuprofen for pain relief.

After a bee sting, observe your child for reaction. Some reactions can begin immediately and others can be delayed up to 4 hours. Most stings will cause a small painful red bump within minutes and should disappear within 2 hours. For others, a large local reaction greater than 3 inches in diameter may persist for up to one week. In more severe reactions, watch for hives, vomiting, dizziness, thickened speech, swelling in other areas on the body, difficulty breathing, or if there were more than 10 stings, seek medical care promptly.  60% of these types of reactions occur within the first hour after the sting. If your child has had a severe reaction in the past to a bee sting, consult your doctor about carrying an injectable medicine to prevent serious complications