Wasp and bee sting symptoms you should not ignore explained by nurse

Rising concern over sting allergies

Search interest in "wasp sting reaction" has jumped by 86% in the past three months, prompting a nurse to urge people not to brush off symptoms that could signal a dangerous allergy. Benenden Health reports that around 2.1 million people in the UK have an allergy to bee or wasp stings, meaning a seemingly minor sting can, for some, trigger a fast and potentially fatal response.

Kelly Fisher, a Health and Wellbeing Nurse at Benenden Health, has outlined the difference between what most people experience and what requires urgent medical attention. A typical sting, she said, tends to follow a familiar pattern, but anaphylaxis is a far more serious reaction caused by the body responding extremely to venom, and it can develop quickly.

Recognizing a normal reaction

"A 'normal' reaction to being stung will usually involve a sharp, burning pain when the stinger initially goes in," Fisher said. "This will typically be followed by a raised, red lump that is itchy, with potentially some minor swelling around the area where you have been stung."

Benenden Health notes that redness can be harder to spot on darker skin tones, but the raised or swollen patch should still be noticeable to the touch.

Signs of anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is the term for a severe allergic reaction and can include a wide range of symptoms. Warning signs can include dizziness, nausea or vomiting, stomach cramps, weakness, persistent coughing, hives, a sense of impending doom, swelling in the mouth or throat, and wheezing or difficulty breathing.

"Most minor symptoms of a bee or wasp sting start within minutes," Fisher said. "The most severe anaphylactic reactions can also occur very quickly after being stung, so it is important to be aware of any changes in how you are feeling."

One issue with sting allergies is that some people do not realise they are allergic until they are stung for the first time. "If you have never been stung before and are unsure whether you have an allergy, it is good to treat the sting and stay in a safe space where you can monitor your symptoms," Fisher advised.

When to seek help

The nurse's guidance includes calling NHS 111 for symptoms that go beyond a normal reaction, for stings in the mouth, throat, or eyes, if vomiting occurs, after multiple stings, or if there has been a previous severe reaction. In the case of anaphylaxis, the advice is to use an adrenaline auto-injector and call 999 immediately, with a second injection after five minutes if there is no improvement.

After using an auto-injector, individuals are advised to lie down and raise their legs, sit upright if breathing is difficult, avoid standing or walking, and stay with someone until help arrives.

Removing a bee stinger

To remove a bee stinger, Fisher recommends scraping it out sideways with a fingernail or bank card rather than tweezers, because squeezing can release more venom into the skin.

Prevention and precautions

For those at risk, prevention involves wearing long sleeves, trousers, and closed-toe shoes, avoiding going barefoot, and steering clear of strong scents that may attract insects. If an insect approaches, the advice is to stay calm and move away slowly rather than swatting.

When eating outdoors, it is advisable to keep food covered, check drinks before sipping, clean hands and mouth after eating, and dispose of rubbish promptly to avoid attracting bees and wasps.

With summer approaching and searches surging, Fisher's advice serves as a timely reminder that knowing the difference between a nuisance sting and a medical emergency could save a life.