(11,12) Antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), and loratadine (Claritin) offer the best penetration into the skin. Take ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to ease pain and burning, or an oral antihistamine for symptoms of a mild to moderate allergic reaction. It’s okay to self-treat with over-the-counter medications. If you’re stung on your arm or leg, keep it elevated. Next, clean the sting area with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection, and apply a cold compress to calm the swelling and pain. (11) Instead, she recommends gently scraping it with a credit card to remove it, or use the edge of your fingernail. Don’t pluck or squeeze the stinger with tweezers - that can cause more venom to enter the bite, says Shainhouse. If you’re stung by a bee, get to a safe place and remove the stinger as soon as possible. See a doctor if you’re swarmed by bees and receive multiple stings. This is more common in children and older adults, as well as in those who have a history of heart or respiratory problems. It’s important to note that multiple bee stings can be toxic and become a medical emergency even for someone who isn’t allergic to bee stings. If not treated early, anaphylaxis can lead to loss of consciousness and death. These symptoms can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to an allergen. You should also seek emergency medical attention if you develop other symptoms of a life-threatening reaction, such as: (1,10,11) “Call 911 immediately at the first signs of difficulty breathing, swallowing, vomiting and diarrhea, weakness, sweating, confusion, or full-body swelling,” warns Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in the Los Angeles area. People who are severely allergic to bees can develop a whole-body allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. If needed, position the person to prevent choking on vomit.Keep in mind that some allergic reactions to bee venom are life-threatening.Loosen tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket. This is usually done by pressing the autoinjector against the thigh and holding it in place for several seconds. Ask whether you should help inject the medication. Ask whether the injured person is carrying an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others).Take these actions immediately while waiting for medical help: Swelling of the lips, face, eyelids or throat.When to seek emergency careĬall 911 or your local medical emergency number if a child is stung by a scorpion or if anyone is having a serious reaction that suggests anaphylaxis, even if it's just one or two signs or symptoms: Seek medical care if the swelling gets worse, the site shows signs of infection or you don't feel well.
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