During the late summer and early fall, bees become aggressive and angry. Why? Because during this time, stinging bees and wasps are preparing their queen for the winter, and are dying off before the first frost.
If you are noticing there are a lot of bees around you and your family, you need to take extra precautions in case you or a loved one is allergic to bee stings. If you do get stung by a bee or wasp, AFC Urgent Care Marlborough can help with angry bee sting treatment, prevention and tips this angry bee season.
Tips on how to avoid bee stings
- Wear shoes when outdoors, especially in grassy areas.
- Wear clothing to cover as much of the body as possible
- Keep windows and doors screened.
- If a bee “bumps” into you, take that as a sign to run away. You might be close to their hive, making them even angrier.
- Keep garbage in sealed receptacles.
- Do not swat at a stinging insect as it increases the likelihood of an aggressive reaction.
- If stung, seek immediate medical attention as reactions can be severe.
- Call a pest professional if you find a nest on your property or suspect an infestation.
If you or your child do get stung however, it's important to understand the difference between a 'normal' reaction to a bee sting, and an allergic reaction to a bee sting.
What does a non-allergic reaction to a bee sting look like?
With the majority of bee stings, one will only see minor reactions, such as itching, hives or rashes and soreness.If this is the extent of your reaction, your child is probably not allergic to bee stings.
Immediate steps to take if you got stung by a bee or wasp
- Remove the stinger (By scraping it, NOT pinching it, or squeezing it)
- Apply a cold compress or ice
- Treat with tylenol or NSAID
- Apply topical ointment such as Neosporin to fight any possible infection, and possibly Caladryl, to combat itching
Don't use tweezers to squeeze it out. Using tweezers to remove a bee sting runs the risk of squeezing more venom into the wound. Try removing the stinger by scraping a fingernail over the area or using gauze to wipe it out.
Bee Sting Treatment At AFC Urgent Care Marlborough
Bee stings aren’t fun and we hope that you can avoid them during angry bee season. But, if you can’t avoid them, and they still sting you after letting them “bee”, please come see us for bee sting treatment. You can walk right in, with no appointment necessary, to AFC Urgent Care Marlborough. You can also make an appointment online, if you prefer an easier way to check in.
We accept most insurances and we also offer a low cost self-pay option as well.
