During the warmer months, interactions with insects tend to occur more frequently. Although many insects are harmless, bee and wasp stings can be painful and even cause an allergic reaction for anyone with an allergy to bees. If you are stung by a wasp or a bee this summer, it is important to know how to treat the sting so that you can recover and stay comfortable. This article will review the proper treatment steps for bee and wasp stings, including signs that you could be having an allergic reaction.
If you’re stung by an insect, AFC Urgent Care North Bergen is here to help. We provide same-day urgent care services and treatment for insect bites and stings. Our board-certified medical providers are trained to provide quality same-day treatment for patients of all ages in North Bergen, NJ. Simply walk into the clinic, or schedule your visit in advance below.
Differences Between Bee and Wasp Stings
Being stung by an insect is always an unpleasant experience. While both bee stings and wasp stings are painful, they have a few key differences. For example, bees can only sting once. When a bee stings you, it is usually in defense and the stinger is left in your skin which kills the bee after the sting. Wasps on the other hand can sting multiple times and will often sting randomly or even unprovoked. In most cases, wasp stings are known to be more painful than a bee sting. However, both wasp and bee stings release venom. If the bee's stinger is not removed from the skin, the impacts can be more severe and long-lasting than a wasp sting.
How to Treat Bee and Wasp Stings
If you’re stung by an insect this summer, it is probably a bee or a wasp. Firstly, it is important to identify what stung you. If the stinger is in your skin, you were stung by a bee. If you were stung multiple times, or if you were stung but there is no stinger in your skin, you were probably stung by a wasp.
The first step to treating a sting is to ensure you remove any stingers in the skin. This will stop the flow of venom into your skin. If you have an allergy to bees or wasps, you should call 911 for emergency treatment. In most cases, insect stings will cause symptoms like swelling and pain at the sting site. Applying ice and Benadryl cream can help reduce swelling and discomfort. Avoiding scratching the area and monitoring it for signs of the sting site becoming infected are vital to avoid complications.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Care
Bee and wasp stings can be very painful and cause symptoms that last for days after the sting. In most cases, they will heal on their own as long as you avoid scratching the sting site and aren’t allergic to the insect that stung you. If you experience itchiness in the mouth, facial swelling, or trouble breathing, you need to call 911. These are symptoms of an allergic reaction, which requires emergency treatment in the ER.
Visit AFC North Bergen for Same-Day Care for Insect Stings
Insect stings can be very painful. However, knowing how to treat them and what symptoms are normal will help you heal quickly. At AFC Urgent Care North Bergen, our walk-in clinic is available 7 days a week to provide prompt care for insect stings. Our medical providers can help remove insect stingers and begin the treatment process to get you on the road to recovery. We treat patients of all ages, and are available 7 days a week.
At our clinic, we don’t require patients to schedule an appointment in advance to receive prompt medical care. Simply walk in when it’s convenient. Our clinic works with most medical insurance providers and offers competitive rates for self-paying patients. To learn more, walk into the clinic for same-day care, or contact us directly by calling (201) 588-1300.
