Getting stung by a bee is never fun. It hurts, and honestly, it can freak you out a bit. But if you know what to do right away, you can make things a whole lot easier on yourself.
If a bee stings you, get that stinger out as fast as you can. That’s the main thing—removing it quickly stops more venom from getting into your skin. Once you do that, gently clean the area and grab some ice to help with pain and swelling.
Most of the time, a bee sting just causes some pain and maybe a little swelling. Usually, you’ll feel better in a day or two with basic care at home.
But if you start having trouble breathing or your face and throat swell up, don’t mess around—get medical help right away. These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Bee Sting
When a bee stings you, act quickly to stop the venom from spreading. The faster you move, the less pain you’ll have to deal with.
Get the stinger out, clean the spot, and try to lower the swelling and itching.
Remove the Stinger Quickly and Safely
Go for the stinger first. Bees leave it behind, and it keeps pumping venom in there.
Grab something flat, like a credit card, and gently scrape the stinger out. Don’t pinch it with your fingers or tweezers—you could actually squeeze more venom into your skin that way.
Try to do this right away. The sooner you get it out, the better you’ll feel.
Don’t dig or scratch at the sting. That just makes things worse.
Clean and Soothe the Sting Site
Once the stinger’s gone, wash the area with soap and water. That helps keep it clean and lowers the risk of infection.
Now, grab a cold compress or ice pack (wrap it in a cloth) and put it on the sting. It’ll help numb the pain and keep swelling down.
If you’ve got calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream, dab some on to calm the itch. You can usually find these at any drugstore.
Super itchy or swelling more than you’d like? Try an oral antihistamine, but follow the directions on the box.
Reduce Swelling and Discomfort
If you can, raise the sting area above your heart. It helps with swelling.
Try not to scratch, even if it’s driving you nuts. Scratching can cause cuts or infections.
Drink plenty of water. It helps your body flush out the venom.
If pain hangs around, swelling spreads, or you start having trouble breathing, get medical help right away.
For more details, check out this quick guide on immediate steps after a bee sting.
Recognizing and Responding to Severe Reactions
After a bee sting, keep an eye out for signs of a severe reaction. Some symptoms mean you need help right away.
It’s smart to know when to use an epinephrine autoinjector, too. And don’t be afraid to call for emergency help if things get scary.
Identifying Signs of Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis can hit fast after a bee sting. It’s a dangerous allergic reaction and needs immediate attention.
Watch for trouble breathing, tightness in your throat, or swelling in your face or mouth. A really fast or weak pulse is also a red flag.
Other warning signs? Dizziness, confusion, chest pain, or feeling faint. Sometimes you’ll see hives or a rash spreading quickly.
If you notice any of these, treat it like an emergency—don’t wait.
When and How to Use an Epinephrine Autoinjector
If you know you’re allergic to bee stings, always carry an epinephrine autoinjector—like an EpiPen or Auvi-Q.
If you start having symptoms like trouble breathing or swelling around your face, use the injector right away. Hold it firmly, press it against your outer thigh, and keep it there for a few seconds.
Don’t wait to see if it gets worse. Epinephrine opens airways and brings down swelling fast.
After you use your autoinjector, stay as calm as you can and get medical help immediately.
If you don’t have one and you’re having a severe reaction, call emergency services right away.
Seeking Emergency Medical Help
If you notice any signs of anaphylaxis after a bee sting, drop everything and get medical help right away. Call emergency services or ask someone to drive you to the nearest emergency room.
Even if you’ve already used an epinephrine autoinjector, you still need a doctor to check you out. Sometimes symptoms come back or get worse, so don’t take any chances.
Let the medical staff know about your bee sting and any allergies you’re aware of. If you suddenly get serious symptoms—even without a known allergy—don’t wait it out. Fast treatment could honestly save your life.
If you’re with someone who’s been stung and starts showing severe symptoms, keep a close eye on them. Help them use an epinephrine injector if they have one, and get them to emergency care as soon as possible.
You can find more details on spotting and handling severe allergic reactions from bee stings in this guide: Recognizing and Responding to Severe Reactions.
