Bee Sting: What Is It, What Helps, and How to Protect Yourself?

Bee stings are a common occurrence, especially in the summer months and outdoor settings. Individuals with bee sting allergies tend to avoid spending time outside during summer. Those who have never experienced a bee sting may feel anxious about the possibility of an allergic reaction. For most individuals, a bee sting results only in pain, redness, and irritation; however, some may experience allergic reactions that can range from mild to very severe. In some cases, allergic reactions can be life-threatening and even result in death. This severe reaction is known as anaphylaxis and is among the medical emergencies that require immediate attention. If there is no known allergy and severe symptoms do not arise, some home remedies can be applied after a bee sting. These measures mainly aim to reduce itching, redness, and pain. In the presence of serious complications, seeking help from a specialized healthcare facility without delay is crucial. Timely medical intervention can yield very good results, even in cases of severe allergic reactions.

What Is a Bee Sting? How Does It Happen?

A person can experience mild to moderate allergic reactions when stung by various types of bees, such as honeybees and wasps. The risk of developing an allergy due to bee stings may be somewhat higher for individuals involved in beekeeping compared to the general population. Reactions caused by stings from various insects, especially bees, commonly manifest as redness, swelling, itching, and irritation in addition to allergies.

Allergic reactions are not common and lead to serious problems in only a small percentage of people who encounter insect stings. The treatment of allergies must be done urgently and correctly because fatal complications, such as respiratory failure, can develop rapidly. However, such fatal complications are not very common. The venom found in honeybees and wasps is quite potent and ranks among the most powerful allergens.

When a bee stings a person, its sharp and venomous stinger may remain embedded in the skin. If the stinger is not removed from the body, it can continue to release venom and lead to various negative complications for some time after the bee sting. The most commonly affected systems are the skin and respiratory system. The bee venom that spreads through the body via the stinger contains protein particles that negatively impact various cellular structures in the skin and, most importantly, elements of the immune system. Due to these protein particles, individuals who are not allergic to bee venom can still experience severe pain, swelling, redness, itching, and irritation at the site of the sting.

In individuals with allergies, bee venom triggers an immune system response that leads to much more severe reactions. These individuals may not show any allergic reaction during their first bee sting exposure. However, upon being stung by a bee for the second time, they may exhibit an allergic reaction due to their immune system's response.

When bee venom enters the body of allergic individuals, an antibody known as immunoglobulin E (IgE), which is one of the components of the human immune system, is released. IgE primarily protects the body from various harmful microorganisms, such as viruses and parasites, and acts as a barrier. In addition to its protective role, IgE can lead to inappropriate immune responses, resulting in allergic reactions such as swelling, redness, and itchy rashes (hives), edema, and severe respiratory complications, all in response to a bee sting. Most people who are stung by bees may not experience any severe physical symptoms beyond discomfort at the sting site. Mild allergic reactions can cause increasing swelling, redness, and itching at the site of the sting.

According to data released by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), an average of 62 Americans died from stings by wasps, hornets, and honeybees between 2000 and 2007. Individuals with a severe allergy to bee venom or those who have been stung multiple times are at higher risk for serious allergic reactions. In some rare cases, a bee sting can result in a fatal allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. In anaphylaxis, the body’s immune system responds excessively and inappropriately to the allergen, leading to a breakdown of body functions. Symptoms of anaphylaxis usually begin within seconds; however, this period can extend to minutes, and sometimes even half an hour. Regardless of the cause, anaphylaxis is a very urgent situation that requires hospital intervention. The most common symptoms of anaphylaxis can be summarized as follows:

• Hives (red, swollen, itchy patches on the skin)
• Flushed and fatigued face
• Swelling of the tongue, potentially blocking the airway
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing and wheezing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain, cramps, and diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Confusion, syncope (fainting)
• Coma

If at least one of these symptoms is observed, or if there is a history of previous anaphylaxis, it is essential to seek immediate medical attention.

What is Good for a Bee Sting?

In cases of ordinary bee stings that do not lead to allergic reactions, various home remedies are generally sufficient if a correct diagnosis is possible. However, in situations where multiple bees sting or any symptoms of anaphylaxis are present, immediate medical intervention is required. Emergency medical intervention often includes the administration of adrenaline (epinephrine) when allergic reactions are observed. If breathing or heart stops during an anaphylactic reaction, basic life support (cardiopulmonary resuscitation - CPR) should be performed.

Providing oxygen support along with the administration of adrenaline is also very important for maintaining respiration. Various medications, such as antihistamines, glucocorticoids (cortisone), and beta agonists, may be administered by a specialist doctor to reduce damage to the respiratory system and to clear the airways. The form of medication known as the epinephrine auto-injector can be prescribed by an allergy specialist in the presence of a known bee allergy, and the patient or their relatives can be trained to use it promptly during anaphylaxis. Auto-injectors are essential lifesavers that individuals with allergies and a history of anaphylaxis must always carry with them. The usage of this needle, which automatically provides an adrenaline injection, will be explained to the patient by a specialist doctor.

Conducting certain allergy tests is important for effectively and accurately planning and implementing prevention and treatment strategies, and for obtaining information on allergy shots (immunotherapy) when necessary, through regular check-ups with an Allergy and Immunology specialist. In simple bee sting cases, the primary home remedies include carefully removing the stinger from the skin, washing the area thoroughly with soap and water, applying ice, avoiding infection, and refraining from scratching the area to maintain skin integrity.

What Are the Ways to Prevent Bee Stings?

In the presence of a previously known bee sting allergy, it is advisable for individuals to carry the emergency intervention tool prescribed by an allergy doctor during outdoor excursions. For some individuals who have severe reactions, an immunotherapy approach known as allergy shots may also be beneficial. Avoiding bright and light-colored clothing can also be a preventive measure. Fragrant perfumes and deodorants are not recommended for allergic individuals. Especially food odors should be approached with caution during cooking and eating situations, as they can attract flies, insects, and bees.

In many cases of bee stings, redness, swelling, and pain become noticeable within a few hours. Symptoms in the affected area are expected to subside within a few days. Individuals who have previously experienced allergic reactions due to bee stings or who suspect an allergy after a sting should seek immediate medical assistance. Various anaphylactic reactions, such as severe rashes, increased heart rate, low blood pressure, and difficulty breathing, require rapid diagnosis and treatment as they can be fatal. In rare cases, the stung area can become infected, leading to more significant problems. In such situations, effective results can be achieved with antibiotic treatment planned by a specialist doctor.

Particularly, honey bee stings can cause severe pain and discomfort. However, in normal individuals, this condition is typically short-lived and temporary. It is important to remain calm after a bee sting. If the bee's stinger is visible, it should be carefully removed without breaking it. Washing the area with plenty of soap and water is also among the recommendations. Application of ice or a cold compress, as well as various suggestions like aloe vera gel or lavender oil, may occasionally be helpful. If symptoms do not improve within days or unexpected symptoms occur, it is known that the home remedies are insufficient, and professional medical support should be sought.