Take the Sting Out of Bee Sting Treatment
A bee sting may seem like a minor annoyance, but it can actually be life-threatening to people with severe reactions. When a bee stings an individual, it injects venom from its stinger directly into a person’s skin, and a part of the bee’s stinger that contains its venom sack remains in the skin. While most people only experience a mild reaction, a small percentage of the population will have an allergic reaction that can put their life in danger. Use this helpful guide to know what to do for a bee sting, from how to choose bee sting first aid to when to seek medical care. And in case a bee sting results in a severe reaction, head to the nearest MD Now Urgent Care center to get rapid relief and make the pain take flight.
A Trio of Troubling Reactions
Most people are surprised to learn that there are three kinds of reactions a victim can have to a bee sting. It’s important to know the difference among these reactions because it will ultimately determine how to cure a bee sting. The three types of reactions are:
1. Localized Reaction: This is a normal, mild reaction that can result in pain, swelling, itching, and redness. In a small localized reaction, the pain typically diminishes within hours of the sting. But a large localized reaction can cause minor pain, swelling, and redness all around the site of the sting for up to a week.
2. Systemic Allergic Reaction: This reaction is more severe than a localized reaction because it affects the entire body. Victims can develop severe swelling, redness or hives all over their body, regardless of where they were stung. Other symptoms a victim may experience are dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
3. Anaphylactic Reaction: Anaphylaxis is a very serious reaction. It’s typically experienced by people allergic to bee stings. It occurs mere minutes after a sting and if victims don’t get immediate treatment, they can have difficulty breathing, start wheezing, and see a sharp decline in blood pressure that can quickly cause shock. To avoid an anaphylactic reaction, people who are allergic to bee stings should ask their doctor for a special emergency medication and keep it on hand at all times.
Bee String Relief and Remedies
Would you know what to do for a bee sting? If not, you’re not alone. Most people have no idea what the ideal bee sting treatment is, which can only make it worse. But by knowing how to cure a bee sting, a victim can get fast relief and reduce their reaction. Follow these simple steps for bee sting first aid and treatment:
- Seek Emergency Medical Care: If the victim is allergic to bee stings or has experienced bad reactions in the past, it’s urgent for them to get medical attention. And MD Now is the fastest, most convenient source for immediate bee sting treatment.
- See If the Stinger Is Stuck in Skin: Examine the site of the sting for a tiny black dot. If this dot is visible, take it out right away to prevent the venom from releasing, which occurs a few minutes after the sting. Simply swipe a hard object over the dot to dislodge it.
- Apply Bee Sting First Aid: The first step in bee sting first aid is to hold an ice pack over the sting site to soothe swelling and inflammation.
- Clean Completely: Rinse the area with soap and water, and then apply a hydrocortisone cream to reduce the reaction.
- Get the Aid of an Antihistamine: Use an antihistamine like Benadryl to help decrease inflammation and take an over-the-counter pain reliever to soothe any painful symptoms.
MD Now Is Your Source for the Highest-Quality Care
Discover the caring, convenient, and cost-efficient treatment that can always be found at MD Now. All of our locations operate on a walk-in, no-appointment basis with hours to conveniently suit your schedule. With 26 locations throughout Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties, quality care is always within your reach. For the Florida locations nearest you, visit https://www.mymdnow.com/locations.
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MD Now® Urgent Care Walk-In Medical Centers is the leading provider of fast and affordable urgent care to adults and children in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. Our state-of-the-art, walk-in medical centers are open seven days a week to deliver an affordable and convenient alternative to long emergency room wait times and the limited hours of family physicians. No appointment is necessary and major insurance plans are accepted. In addition to providing a comprehensive range of urgent care services to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries, our multiple locations offer digital x-rays, EKG, lab testing, physicals, immunizations, vaccines, occupational medicine, travel medicine and selected primary care services. Find the medical care you need with the convenience you want at MD Now. Online: www.MDNow.com.