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Although rare, venom anaphylaxis can cause cardiac arrest within 5-10 minutes of being stung. A person with a severe allergy should carry an EpiPen with them at all times.Īnyone experiencing one or more symptoms of anaphylaxis should get to an emergency room as soon as possible, even if they have self-administered epinephrine.
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Epinephrine temporarily reverses the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. If someone has an epinephrine injection device (EpiPen), they should use it immediately. Doctors may also administer oxygen and intravenous fluids. Severe, systemic reactions require an urgent shot of epinephrine, which will help to reduce the severity of the allergic reaction. Symptoms should subside over the course of a couple of days. Use a cold compress, apply steroid ointments, and take antihistamines to help reduce itchiness and inflammation. Tweezers should not be used to remove a stinger, since squeezing may release more venom. Removing the stinger will limit the amount of venom released into the bloodstream. Treating a mild to moderate reactionĪfter a bee sting, remove the stinger as soon as possible, taking care to avoid squeezing the venom sac. The treatment for bee sting reaction will depend upon the severity of the allergic reaction. The following symptoms of anaphylaxis develop rapidly: In certain individuals, a bee sting can cause anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction requiring emergency medical treatment. If a person experiences a LLR, there is a 5-10% risk that they will develop a systemic allergic reaction to a sting in the future. Symptoms include severe redness around the sting, as well as swelling around the sting, which may gradually increase in size to a diameter of 10 centimeters (cm)or more over a period of 24–48 hours In such cases, the symptoms can take over a week to heal completely. In a person with a moderate bee sting reaction, the body has a stronger response to bee venom, called a large local reaction (LLR). They are limited to the site of the sting itself, and include: The majority of bee sting symptoms are very mild and do not require medical attention. A person can have a mild, moderate, or severe reaction shortly after being stung by a bee. The symptoms of a bee sting vary depending on how allergic the person is. Share on Pinterest Redness and swelling characterize a mild reaction.
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