Bee stings can produce different reactions, ranging from temporary pain and discomfort to a severe allergic reaction. Having one type of reaction doesn't mean you'll always have the same reaction every time you're stung or that the next reaction will necessarily be more severe. Mild reaction Most of the time, bee sting symptoms are minor and include:  Instant, sharp burning pain at the sting site A red welt at the sting area Slight swelling around the sting area  In most people, the swelling and pain go away within a few hours. Moderate reaction Some people who get stung by a bee or other insect have a bit stronger reaction, with signs and symptoms such as:  Extreme redness Swelling at the site of the sting that gradually enlarges over the next day or two  Moderate reactions tend to resolve over five to 10 days. Having a moderate reaction doesn't mean you'll have a severe allergic reaction the next time you're stung. But some people develop similar moderate reactions each time they're stung. If this happens to you, talk to your doctor about treatment and prevention, especially if the reaction becomes more severe each time. Severe allergic reaction A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to bee stings is potentially life-threatening and requires emergency treatment. A small percentage of people who are stung by a bee or other insect quickly develop anaphylaxis. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:  Skin reactions, including hives and itching and flushed or pale skin Difficulty breathing Swelling of the throat and tongue A weak, rapid pulse Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea Dizziness or fainting Loss of consciousness  People who have a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting have a 25% to 65% chance of anaphylaxis the next time they're stung. Talk to your doctor or an allergy specialist about prevention measures such as immunotherapy ("allergy shots") to avoid a similar reaction in case you get stung again. Multiple bee stings Generally, insects such as bees and wasps aren't aggressive and only sting in self-defense. In most cases, this results in one or perhaps a few stings. In some cases a person will disrupt a hive or swarm of bees and get multiple stings. Some types of bees — such as Africanized honeybees — are more likely than are other bees to swarm, stinging in a group. If you get stung more than a dozen times, the accumulation of venom may induce a toxic reaction and make you feel quite sick. Signs and symptoms include:  Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea Headache A feeling of spinning (vertigo) Convulsions Fever Dizziness or fainting  Multiple stings can be a medical emergency in children, older adults, and people who have heart or breathing problems.
bee stings can produce reactions  ranging temporary pain discomfort severe allergic reaction  type reaction doesn't mean you'll reaction time you're stung next reaction will necessarily severe  mild reaction time  bee sting symptoms minor include:  instant  sharp burning pain sting site red welt sting area slight swelling sting area  people  swelling pain away hours  moderate reaction people who stung bee insect bit stronger reaction  signs symptoms as:  extreme redness swelling site sting gradually enlarges next day  moderate reactions tend resolve 10 days  moderate reaction doesn't mean you'll severe allergic reaction next time you're stung  people develop similar moderate reactions time they're stung  happens you  talk doctor treatment prevention  especially reaction severe time  severe allergic reaction severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) bee stings potentially life-threatening requires emergency treatment  small percentage people who stung bee insect quickly develop anaphylaxis  signs symptoms anaphylaxis include:  skin reactions  including hives itching flushed pale skin difficulty breathing swelling throat tongue weak  rapid pulse nausea  vomiting diarrhea dizziness fainting loss consciousness  people who severe allergic reaction bee sting 25% 65% chance anaphylaxis next time they're stung  talk doctor allergy specialist prevention measures immunotherapy ("allergy shots") avoid similar reaction case stung again  multiple bee stings generally  insects bees wasps aren't aggressive only sting self-defense  cases  results stings  cases person will disrupt hive swarm bees multiple stings  types bees — africanized honeybees — likely bees swarm  stinging group  stung dozen times  accumulation venom may induce toxic reaction feel sick  signs symptoms include:  nausea  vomiting diarrhea headache feeling spinning (vertigo) convulsions fever dizziness fainting  multiple stings can medical emergency children  older adults  people who heart breathing problems
bee stings