Bee stings are usually just a bother for most individuals, causing only mild discomfort. However, for a small percentage of the population, a bee sting can have severe consequences, resulting in a visit to the hospital. In fact, around three percent of adults experience serious allergic reactions after being stung by an insect. Shockingly, between 40 and 100 people in the United States die each year due to insect stings. It’s challenging to predict how one will react to a sting, as the severity of the reaction can vary over time as a person ages.
Effects of a Bee Sting
When stung by a bee, the majority of individuals typically experience only mild discomfort. Common symptoms include slight pain or itching, as well as redness and swelling at the sting site. However, if an individual has a sensitivity to bee venom, the redness and swelling can become more severe. These larger local reactions often require more than a week to fully heal. Additionally, individuals who have a moderate reaction to a bee sting have a five to ten percent chance of experiencing even stronger reactions in the future. On the other hand, those who have severe reactions to bee stings may experience anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.
Symptoms of Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that occurs when the body becomes hypersensitive to a specific trigger, such as a bee sting. This reaction can lead to a state of shock, with various symptoms manifesting in the affected person.
One of the primary signs of anaphylaxis is a sudden change in the skin. It may become pale or flushed, and large red hives can appear on the skin’s surface. Alongside skin changes, individuals experiencing anaphylaxis may also struggle with breathing difficulties. This can involve wheezing, shortness of breath, or a feeling of tightness in the chest.
Abdominal pain is another common symptom of anaphylaxis. The person may experience cramping, nausea, or vomiting. In more severe cases, anaphylaxis can lead to the loss of consciousness or even cardiac arrest.
In most instances, these symptoms develop rapidly, typically within a few minutes of exposure to the allergen. However, it’s important to note that in rare cases, the onset of symptoms may be delayed and take over thirty minutes to appear.