Title: Bee sting allergy: Symptoms, causes, and treatment
Headings: What to know about bee sting allergies
What to know about bee sting allergies
How common are bee sting allergies?
Causes of the allergic reaction
How do I know if I am allergic to bee stings?
Symptoms
Mild reaction
Moderate allergic reaction
Severe allergic reaction
Treatment for bee sting allergies
Treating a mild to moderate reaction
Treating a severe reaction
Long-term treatment
Preventing bee sting allergies
Outlook

Content: Symptoms
Share on Pinterest
Redness and swelling characterize a mild reaction. The symptoms of a bee sting allergy vary depending on how allergic the person is. A person can have a mild, moderate, or severe reaction shortly after being stung by a bee: Mild reaction
The majority of bee sting symptoms are very mild and do not require medical attention. They are limited to the site of the sting itself, and include: a sharp, burning pain
an area of raised, red skin
slight swelling
Moderate allergic reaction
In a person with a moderate bee sting allergy, the body has a stronger response to bee venom, called a large local reaction (LLR). In such cases, the symptoms can take over a week to heal completely. Symptoms include: severe redness around the sting
swelling around the sting, which may gradually increase in size to a diameter of 10 cm or more over a period of 24–48 hours
If a person experiences a LLR, there is a 5 to 10 percent
Trusted Source
risk that they will develop a systemic reaction to a sting in the future. Severe allergic reaction
In certain individuals, a bee sting can cause anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction requiring emergency medical treatment.