How to Treat a Bee Sting

How to Treat a Bee Sting at Home (and When to Head to the Hospital)

Bee sting allergies can be life-threatening, especially in children, whose immune systems may react more severely. 🐝 A sting can trigger anaphylaxis—a rapid, intense allergic reaction that causes difficulty breathing, swelling, dizziness, and a sudden drop in blood pressure. 🫠 In these cases, every second counts. ⏱️ That’s why it’s crucial for children with known bee sting allergies to always carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) and ensure school staff are aware of the allergy and train

For people with a severe allergy to bee or insect venom, a sting can lead to a systemic reaction affecting more than the skin. In some cases, they may develop anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. How do you treat anaphylaxis? And do people have to live in fear of bees and wasps for the rest of their lives? We partnered with Dr. Angela Hogan, MD, a board-certified allergist/immunologist expert to learn about insect sting allergies, on an Ask the Allergist video in collaboration with