Insect Stings: The Quick Reference
Insect Stings: the whole thing in five minutes, for when you want the numbers and nothing else.
Reactions to bee, wasp and other insect stings, from local swelling to anaphylaxis.
Key takeaways
- Large local reaction: swelling around the site; not anaphylaxis
- Systemic reaction: symptoms away from the sting site
- Most useful single change: Scrape a bee stinger out sideways rather than pinching it.
- Commonest mistake: Squeezing a stinger, which can inject more venom.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Large local reaction | swelling around the site; not anaphylaxis |
| Systemic reaction | symptoms away from the sting site |
| Bee stings | remove the stinger by scraping, not squeezing |
| Venom immunotherapy | available for people with systemic reactions |
In one paragraph
Large local reactions are common and alarming but not dangerous; whole-body reactions are the ones that matter.
Worth doing
- Scrape a bee stinger out sideways rather than pinching it
- Apply a cold compress and take an antihistamine for local swelling
- Ask for referral to an allergist about venom immunotherapy after any systemic reaction
- Carry prescribed epinephrine auto-injectors if you have had one
Worth avoiding
- Squeezing a stinger, which can inject more venom
- Assuming a large local swelling means the next sting will be dangerous
- Ignoring symptoms occurring away from the sting site
Related topics
- Anaphylaxis: Emergency Response: What the Evidence Actually Says (Emergency Care)
- The Evidence on Pesticides at Home, Without the Hype (Environmental Health)
- Swollen Ankles: What Published Guidance Supports (Foot Health)
- What the Guidance Really Says About Vaccines for Travel (Vaccinations)
Where to go next
- What Insect Stings Is, and Why It Matters
- The Insect Stings Checklist: What to Do and What to Skip
- Insect Stings — the reference entry
- Allergies: The Complete Guide
- The Evidence on Living with Severe Allergy, Without the Hype
- Anaphylaxis: What Published Guidance Supports
When to speak to a doctor
Call 911 for swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, wheeze, widespread hives, dizziness or collapse after a sting, and use an epinephrine auto-injector immediately if prescribed. Stings inside the mouth or throat need urgent assessment regardless of allergy, because swelling can block the airway. See your doctor for spreading redness or fever in the days after a sting.
Where this comes from
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology — Stinging Insect Allergy
- MedlinePlus — Insect Bites and Stings
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarized or generalized beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to your doctor, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 911.
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