Can you get bitten by a bee

When a honeybee stings you, its stinger is released into your skin. This ultimately kills the honeybee. Honeybees are the only type of bee that die after they sting. They may sting you more than once. If a bee stings you, it leaves a behind a venomous toxin that can cause pain and other symptoms.

Some people are allergic to this toxin. If you have any signs of a severe reaction to a bee sting, get emergency help. You may be experiencing anaphylactic shock , a life-threatening allergic reaction.

If a honeybee stings you, remove the stinger immediately with the edge of your fingernail or the edge of a credit card. This helps curb the amount of toxins released into your skin. Wash the sting site with soap and water. Icing the sting site is the most effective way to reduce venom absorption. It also can help reduce swelling. To treat bee stings with honey, apply a small amount to the affected area.

Cover with a loose bandage and leave on for up to an hour. A paste made of baking soda and water can help neutralize bee venom to reduce pain, itching, and swelling. Apply a thick layer of baking soda paste to the affected area. Cover the paste with a bandage. Leave on for at least 15 minutes and re-apply as needed. Soak the sting site in a basin of diluted apple cider vinegar for at least 15 minutes.

You can also soak a bandage or cloth in the vinegar and then apply it to the sting site. Some people claim that alkaline toothpaste neutralizes acidic honeybee venom. Either way, toothpaste is an inexpensive and easy home remedy to try.

Simply dab a bit on the affected area. An enzyme in meat tenderizer called papain is also believed to help break down the protein that causes pain and itching. Some people who get stung by a bee or other insect have a bit stronger reaction, with signs and symptoms such as:. Moderate reactions tend to resolve over five to 10 days. Having a moderate reaction doesn't mean you'll have a severe allergic reaction the next time you're stung.

But some people develop similar moderate reactions each time they're stung. If this happens to you, talk to your doctor about treatment and prevention, especially if the reaction becomes more severe each time. A severe allergic reaction anaphylaxis to bee stings is potentially life-threatening and requires emergency treatment.

A small percentage of people who are stung by a bee or other insect quickly develop anaphylaxis. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:.

Talk to your doctor or an allergy specialist about prevention measures such as immunotherapy "allergy shots" to avoid a similar reaction in case you get stung again. Generally, insects such as bees and wasps aren't aggressive and only sting in self-defense. In most cases, this results in one or perhaps a few stings. In some cases a person will disrupt a hive or swarm of bees and get multiple stings. Some types of bees — such as Africanized honeybees — are more likely than are other bees to swarm, stinging in a group.

If you get stung more than a dozen times, the accumulation of venom may induce a toxic reaction and make you feel quite sick. Signs and symptoms include:. Multiple stings can be a medical emergency in children, older adults, and people who have heart or breathing problems. In most cases, bee stings don't require a visit to your doctor. In more-severe cases, you'll need immediate care. Call or other emergency services if you're having a serious reaction to a bee sting that suggests anaphylaxis, even if it's just one or two signs or symptoms.

If you were prescribed an emergency epinephrine autoinjector EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others , use it right away as your doctor directed.

Seek prompt medical care if you've been swarmed by bees and have multiple stings. Each sting contains venom. Ice, other home remedies, and over-the-counter medications are usually able to relieve discomfort. Some alternative home remedies include honey, aloe vera, and calamine lotion. Still, it is important to be able to identify signs of a severe allergic reaction. If hives, lightheadedness, or trouble breathing follow a bee sting, a person should receive emergency medical care.

Bee and wasp stings can cause painful swelling that usually goes away within a couple of days. However, in some people, stings can trigger…. Horseflies are common in rural areas and around bodies of water. Because their bite is more a cut than a puncture, the site may be especially…. People who have never been stung may have an allergy without knowing it. Learn more here about bee sting allergies.

In this article we look at why mosquito bites itch, evidence-backed ways to reduce itching and swelling, and discuss when to see a doctor. A chigger is a form of mite that feeds on human skin cells. Although they are so small that the naked eye cannot see them, chiggers can inflict…. Eight home remedies for bee stings. Medically reviewed by Vincent J.

Eight home remedies Medical treatments When to see a doctor Takeaway We include products we think are useful for our readers. Share on Pinterest Ice can reduce pain and swelling. Share on Pinterest Honey can combat inflammation and reduce swelling. Medical treatments. Share on Pinterest People can treat their bee sting symptoms with over-the-counter creams.

When to see a doctor. Latest news Could 'cupping' technique boost vaccine delivery? Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage.