Bee and Wasp Stings: First Aid, Allergy Warning Signs and Prevention

Most bee and wasp stings cause sharp pain, a welt and some swelling that fade within hours. A small percentage of people have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), usually within 15 minutes to an hour, which needs emergency treatment. Knowing the difference, and what to do in each case, makes summer outdoors much safer.

This guide covers sting reactions, step-by-step first aid, when to call 911, and how allergy shots can protect people with venom allergy. For more, see our living with allergies guides.

Jump to: Quick answer · Types of reactions · First aid · When it’s an emergency · If you’re allergic · Prevention · FAQ

Quick answer

• Get the stinger out fast by scraping with a fingernail or the blunt edge of a knife. Only bees leave stingers; wasps don’t.
• Wash, cool and raise: soap and water, a cold cloth or ice for 10 to 20 minutes, and lift the arm or leg.
• Call 911 for signs of anaphylaxis, such as trouble breathing, a swollen tongue, trouble swallowing, chest tightness or widespread rash. If you have epinephrine, inject it first, then call.
• After a severe reaction, the average chance of anaphylaxis with the next sting is about 50% (Mayo Clinic), so see an allergist.
• Venom allergy shots work: in trials, systemic reactions to later stings dropped from about 40% to under 3%.

Types of sting reactions

Source: Mayo Clinic. Having one type of reaction doesn’t mean you’ll always react the same way, or that the next reaction will be worse.

First aid for a mild or moderate sting

Mayo Clinic’s steps:

1. Move to a safe area to avoid more stings.
2. Remove the stinger (it looks like a black dot) as soon as possible by scraping it off with a fingernail or the blunt edge of a knife. Don’t dig for a stinger below the skin; it will work its way out.
3. Wash the area with soap and water.
4. Take off rings near the sting before swelling gets worse.
5. Cool it with a cold, damp cloth or ice wrapped in a cloth for 10 to 20 minutes, and repeat as needed.
6. Raise the arm or leg if that’s where you were stung. Swelling may grow over the next two days.
7. Ease itching with hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion up to four times a day, or an oral antihistamine. Some antihistamines cause drowsiness.
8. Use a pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen if needed.

Don’t scratch, rub mud on it or apply heat. See a doctor if symptoms don’t go away within three days.

When a sting is an emergency

Call 911 or get immediate care for:

• Any sign of anaphylaxis, even just one or two symptoms: trouble breathing, swollen tongue or throat, trouble swallowing, chest tightness, widespread hives or itching.
• Multiple stings in a child, an older adult or someone with heart or breathing problems.

If you’ve been prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector, Mayo Clinic advises using it right away, then calling 911, and going to the emergency department afterward. Antihistamines can be used alongside epinephrine if you can swallow, but they don’t replace it. For more on epinephrine, see what to do if a reaction starts.

If you’re allergic to stings

• Get tested. An allergist can do skin or blood tests for honeybee, yellow jacket, hornet and wasp venom.
• Carry epinephrine at all times, replace it before it expires, and make sure the people around you know how to use it.
• Wear a medical alert bracelet that names your sting allergy.
• Ask about venom immunotherapy (allergy shots), usually given for a few years.

The evidence for venom shots is strong. A 2012 Cochrane review of 7 trials with 392 people found that 2.7% of treated people had a systemic reaction to a later sting, compared with 39.8% of untreated people. The shots also reduced large local reactions and improved quality of life. The trade-off: a small but real risk of allergic reactions to the shots themselves, which is why they’re given in a clinic.

For how allergy shots work in general, see allergy drops vs shots. For outdoor allergy season tips, see do seasons affect allergies?

How to avoid stings

• Use wide, open cups for sweet drinks outdoors and check cans and straws before sipping.
• Cover food and trash cans tightly, and clear away fallen fruit and pet waste, which can attract wasps.
• Wear closed-toe shoes outside and don’t walk through flowers.
• Skip perfumes and scented hair and body products, and avoid bright colors and floral prints.
• Take care when mowing or trimming, which can disturb nests.
• If a few bees are around, stay calm and walk away slowly. Swatting can provoke a sting.
• If you’re stung or many insects swarm, cover your mouth and nose and leave quickly; a stinging bee releases a chemical that attracts other bees. Get into a building or closed car if you can.

Source: Mayo Clinic. Have nests near your home removed only if it can be done safely, or call a professional.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. Read our medical disclaimer.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a bee sting is an allergic reaction?

Swelling and pain at the sting site are normal. Trouble breathing, a swollen tongue or throat, trouble swallowing, chest tightness or a widespread rash are signs of anaphylaxis, which needs emergency care.

How long does bee sting swelling last?

Mild swelling usually goes away within a few hours. A moderate reaction can worsen over a day or two and last up to seven days.

Should I take Benadryl for a bee sting?

An oral antihistamine can ease itching from a mild or moderate sting, though some cause drowsiness. For a severe reaction, epinephrine comes first; antihistamines don’t replace it.

Can you become allergic to bee stings later in life?

Reactions can change from sting to sting. If you’ve had any symptoms beyond the sting site, talk to a doctor about testing.

Do allergy shots work for bee sting allergy?

Yes. In a Cochrane review, venom immunotherapy cut systemic reactions to later stings from about 40% to under 3%.

Sources

• Mayo Clinic Staff. Bee sting: Symptoms and causes. October 24, 2024.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. Bee sting: Diagnosis and treatment. October 24, 2024.
• Boyle RJ, Elremeli M, Hockenhull J, et al. Venom immunotherapy for preventing allergic reactions to insect stings. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;10:CD008838.

Last reviewed: October 21, 2026.