At some point, your child is likely to get stung by a bee, and in most cases, this means they’ll have some redness, itchiness, and swelling. You may worry if your child is stung, but usually, bee sting symptoms go away within 48 hours. In rare instances, a bee sting can lead to a severe allergic reaction, causing trouble breathing, fever, and vomiting, especially if your child has multiple bee stings. If this happens, bring your child to the ER immediately for medical attention.
Curious toddlers and children might not realize what comes next when they try to pounce or swat a bee. Fortunately, for most, bee stings on kids are pretty harmless and can cause a little redness and pain. But for other kids, it can potentially be dangerous and cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
Here's everything you need to know about how to treat a bee sting on a child.
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What does a bee sting look like?
Bee stings look like a red bump and have a little back dot in the center, which is the stinger. The stinger is what injects venom into the skin, causing the red bump, so make sure to remove it right away. You can scrape it off with your fingernail or something like a credit card, but avoid squeezing it with your fingers or using tweezers because it could release more venom.
What are the symptoms of a bee sting?
In addition to a red bump, bee sting symptoms include itchiness and pain, and the area might also have some swelling. Generally, the pain should last for only one to two hours, but swelling can last for up to 48 hours and the redness usually subsides after three days.
If you notice that the redness and swelling gets worse or larger more than 48 hours after the sting, contact your child's healthcare provider. Symptoms from the venom should start to go away to get better within 2 or 3 days, whereas infections, although rare, typically start to show signs roughly 48 hours after being stung.
How to treat a bee sting on a child
Once you've removed the stinger, wash the area with soap and water. You can give your child a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help make them feel more comfortable. Check in with your child's doctor if you're unsure of the correct dosage.
If your child is at least 6 months old, their pediatrician may also recommend an antihistamine to help with the redness, swelling, and itching. Just make sure that the allergy medication is intended for children and follow the appropriate dosage. If your child is taking other medications, talk to their provider about potential contraindications.
You can also use a calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream on a bee sting to relieve itching and apply an ice pack (wrapped in a cloth) for 15 minutes to minimize swelling and relieve pain. (If you don't have an ice pack, grab a package of frozen vegetables, or drop a few ice cubes in a plastic bag.) If the bite is on your child's arm or leg, you can try elevating it to reduce swelling.
Wasp sting vs. bee sting: What's the difference?
There's not much difference between a wasp sting and bee sting, but unlike honeybees, wasps can sting you more than once because their stingers stay intact. Your child may experience similar symptoms to a bee sting, including swelling and pain. However, some children can have an allergic reaction to the wasp's venom when it stings them, which can cause hives and swelling in the throat, lips, tongue, and mouth. If this happens, seek emergency treatment right away because it can lead to anaphylaxis.
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Are there any home remedies for bee stings?
For a quick-and-easy bee sting remedy, you can try making a paste by mixing meat tenderizer with some water and dabbing some of it on the sting site. As an alternative, you can apply a baking soda and water paste to help draw out the venom and soothe the area.
How will I know if my child is having an allergic reaction to bee stings?
On rare occasions, a child will have a severe allergic reaction to a sting. This is called anaphylaxis, and it can be very serious, and even deadly. Call 911 immediately if you notice these signs of an allergic reaction to bee stings within a few minutes or hours of the sting:
- Swelling of the skin, lips, throat, tongue, or face
- Wheezing or severe breathing problems
- Rapid or weak pulse, or irregular heartbeat
- Hives
- Dizziness, fainting, loss of consciousness
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea
- Extremely pale skin, sweating, or blue skin color
- Confusion, slurred speech
- Hoarse voice or difficulty swallowing
Should I worry if my child gets a bee sting?
Bee stings usually aren't cause for concern, but there are some instances where you'll want to seek medical care as soon as possible. Call your child's healthcare provider or head to the ER right way if your child has:
- Multiple stings: If your child was stung many times, it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and fever. Multiple stings can be dangerous, even if your child doesn't have an allergic reaction to bee stings.
- Mouth stings: If the sting is in your child's mouth, this can cause dangerous swelling that might block their airways.
- Continued swelling: If the swelling continues to increase after two days, or if swelling in a hand or foot spreads past the wrist or ankle.
- Changes in skin tone or fluid: The area where your child was stung develops red streaks, yellowish fluid, or is becoming redder.
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Are there ways to protect my child from a bee sting?
Unfortunately, insect repellents don't protect against bees and wasps. But there are some things you can do to minimize your child's chances of being stung:
- Don't use perfumed soaps or toiletries on your child, because the scent will attract bees.
- Dress your child in light-colored, solid fabrics rather than dark, brightly colored, or flower-printed clothing, which attracts bees.
- Make sure your child wears shoes when playing outside, because getting stung when accidently stepping on a bee is common.
- Be especially alert when you're near blooming flowers or orchards, which attract bees.
- Teach your child not to swat at bees and wasps, but rather walk away instead (bees and wasps are not very fast).
- Always keep food covered when you're outside.
- Repair any torn screens in your windows and doors at home.
- Consider using netting around your child's crib or bed if bees or wasps are finding their way indoors. You can also use netting over your child's infant seat, playpen, carrier, or stroller when you have them outdoors during bug season (usually late spring through summer).
- Hire a professional todestroy beehives and wasp nests around your home.
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