A bee sting can be a painful experience for anyone. However, for some children, it can trigger an allergic reaction requiring immediate medical attention.
Another not-so-fun fact: Bee allergies often escalate from mild to severe quickly. To keep your little ones safe the next time they encounter a bee, see Srinagesh Paluvoi, MD, FAAP, FACAAI, and his team at Allergy & Asthma Affiliates, with offices in Lansdowne and Gainesville, Virginia, to complete allergy testing and treatment. Also, be sure to understand the basics of bee allergies and watch for these five warning signs.
When kids are stung by bees, symptoms are often mild; think redness, swelling, and some temporary discomfort. However, for a small percentage of children, a sting can cause serious allergic reactions, which can become life-threatening when not treated quickly.
About 3% of children who are stung by bees experience allergic reactions, which are the body’s immune system response to specific allergens.
Signs to watch for indicating bee allergies in children include:
Hives are red welts that appear on the skin after children with a bee allergy get stung. These welts vary in size and may appear in just one area or all over your child’s body. Hives are common symptoms of many allergic reactions and a sign that something is wrong.
Swelling can appear on your child’s skin after a bee sting or affect the throat of children with bee allergies, making it difficult for them to breathe. Skin swelling could last for several days, even a week, after a bee sting in kids who are allergic.
Your child may be allergic to bee stings if their skin becomes extremely itchy after a sting. The skin may itch for a few days, sometimes longer, after being stung.
Gastrointestinal problems can also develop after kids with bee allergies are stung. Examples include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping or pain. Your child might also become lightheaded or develop a fever.
Anaphylactic shock is a life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs in about 1% of bee stings. It can cause irregular heartbeats, low blood pressure, a fast pulse, dizziness, heart failure, problems breathing, and more. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency, warranting a 911 call or a visit to your local emergency room to ensure potentially life-saving measures.
If your child is at risk of allergies due to a family history of allergies, asthma, or previous symptoms, it’s critical to have them tested for insect sting allergies and other potential allergens (mold, animal dander, pollen, latex, certain foods, some medications, etc.), as well as asthma.
Allergy & Asthma Affiliates offer such testing and allergic reaction prevention measures, including immunotherapy (allergy shots), epinephrine (an EpiPen®), and other life-saving treatments.
Contact us today at Allergy & Asthma Affiliates by calling our office or booking a visit online for allergy testing and treatment.
