Table of Contents
How do you know if you have an infection from a bee sting?
Sometimes a sting can become infected. Consult a doctor if the area affected shows a pus discharge, or if there is an increase in the normal pain, swelling, and redness that was produced by the initial sting.
How long does a bee sting infection last?
Severe pain or burning at the site lasts 1 to 2 hours. Normal swelling from venom can increase for 48 hours after the sting. The redness can last 3 days. The swelling can last 7 days.
Can a bee sting affect you days later?
Redness, pain, and swelling can last up to seven days after the incident. This is for someone not allergic to bee stings. If the symptoms seem to get worse after several days, see a doctor. Anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting can start within two hours of the incident and rapidly progress.
How do you treat an infected bee sting?
You can treat a large, local reaction by elevating the area, applying cold compresses, and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, for pain. If the reaction includes itching, antihistamines might help. For severe swelling, your doctor may suggest oral prednisone for 2 or 3 days.
How do you know if you have cellulitis from a bee sting?
Signs of cellulitis include:
- Redness, swelling, warmth or tenderness around the bite area.
- Red streaks that shoot out from the bite area.
- Blisters.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
- Yellow, pus-like discharge from the bite.
How do you treat a toxic reaction to a bee sting?
They contain a medicine called epinephrine, which you should take right away if you get a bee, wasp, hornet, or yellow jacket sting. Call poison control or a hospital emergency room if the person who is stung has an allergy to the insect or was stung inside the mouth or throat.
Does Benadryl help with bee sting swelling?
Taking an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or a nonsedating one such as loratadine (Claritin) will help with itching and swelling. Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin)for pain relief as needed. Wash the sting site with soap and water.
Is it normal for a bee sting to swell a week later?
In the normal reaction to a bee sting, the skin is reddened and painful. Swelling and/or itching may also occur, but the pain usually disappears over a few hours. In the so-called large local reaction to an insect sting, the swelling, redness, and pain may persist for up to a week.
Can you have an allergic reaction to a bee sting 2 days later?
Large Local Reactions and Bee Sting Swelling Days Later A local reaction can produce very uncomfortable pain, itching, and swelling. Some of this swelling can be delayed, increasing over 24 to 48 hours. It may take 3 to 10 days for these symptoms to resolve.