Free
E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date
on a wide variety of health topics.
close window
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffBee stings are a common outdoor nuisance. In most cases, bee stings are just annoying and home treatment is all that's necessary to ease the pain of bee stings. But if you're allergic to bee stings or you get stung numerous times, you may have a more serious reaction that requires emergency treatment. You can take several steps to avoid bee stings — as well as hornet and wasp stings — and find out how to treat them if you do get stung.
References
- Freeman T. Bee, yellowjacket, wasp and hymenoptera stings: Reaction types and acute management. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 21, 2010.
- Stinging insect allergy: How to avoid the ouch. American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/topicofthemonth/0607/. Accessed Sept. 21, 2010.
- Simons FER. Anaphylaxis. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2010;125:S161.
- Skin emergencies. National Center for Farmworker Health. http://www.ncfh.org/pdfs/BilingualEd/PDF9.pdf. Accessed Sept. 21, 2010.
- Insect stings. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec21/ch325/ch325d.html. Accessed Sept. 23, 2010.
- Tracy JM. Diagnosis of hymenoptera venom allergy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 23, 2010.
- Breisch NL, et al. Bees, yellowjackets, hornets, and wasps: Avoidance. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 23, 2010.
Find Mayo Clinic on