Riskiest Symptoms
If you have a severe bee sting allergy that causes an emergency condition called anaphylaxis, the symptoms include:
- Rapid swelling around the eyes, lips, tongue, or throat
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Wheezing or hoarseness
- Itching
- Dizziness
- A reddish rash or hives
- Stomach cramps
- Passing out
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
If that happens, call 911 immediately. If you have an epinephrine auto-injector, use it and repeat after 5 to 15 minutes if your symptoms haven’t improved. You’ll still need medical care right after you give yourself the shots, even if your symptoms seem to stop, because you could still have a delayed reaction.
That’s not likely. Most people aren’t allergic and only have minor symptoms in the area where they got stung, such as:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Redness
- Itching or burning
Call Your Doctor If:
You think you might have had an allergic reaction to a sting in the past. Your doctor can check on that and see if you’re at risk for anaphylaxis.
