Bee sting allergy
Allergy to honeybee venom, which can cause anaphylaxis.
About bee sting allergy
A bee sting injects venom into the skin, and while most people feel only pain and short-lived swelling, some develop a true venom allergy. In sensitised people the immune system produces IgE antibodies to honeybee venom, so a later sting can trigger a rapid allergic reaction. Honeybees usually sting only when threatened and often leave the barbed sting in the skin. Beekeepers, gardeners and outdoor workers face more frequent stings, and anyone who has previously had a systemic reaction is at greater risk of another.
Reactions come on quickly, often within minutes. Most people experience a normal local reaction of pain, redness and swelling that settles over hours to a few days, and some get a larger local swelling. A systemic allergic reaction is more serious and may cause widespread hives, itching, swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheeze, difficulty breathing, dizziness or collapse. This is anaphylaxis, a medical emergency that can be life-threatening.
A severe reaction needs immediate action: call 999, and use an adrenaline auto-injector without delay if one has been prescribed, then a second dose if needed while waiting for help. People who have had a systemic reaction should be referred to an allergy specialist, who can confirm venom allergy with skin or blood tests and may recommend venom immunotherapy, a course of treatment that can substantially reduce the risk of future severe reactions. Practical sting-avoidance measures, such as staying calm around bees and covering food and drink outdoors, also help.
Common triggers
- Bee sting and products containing it
Symptoms
- Pain, redness and swelling at the sting or bite
- Widespread hives or itching
- Swelling of the face, lips or throat
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Anaphylaxis in severe cases
Avoidance & management
- Avoid nests, hives and known habitats
- Wear covering clothing and avoid strong scents outdoors
- Use insect repellent and screens
- Carry an adrenaline auto-injector if prescribed
- Seek urgent help for a severe reaction
Sources & references
Allergy safety: what everyone should know
Mild-to-moderate reaction signs
- Itching, hives or a raised rash
- Swelling of lips, face or eyes
- Tingling mouth, sneezing, runny nose
- Stomach pain, nausea or vomiting
Anaphylaxis — call 999 (UK) or 112 (EU) immediately
- Difficult or noisy breathing, wheeze, persistent cough
- Swelling of the tongue or tightness in the throat
- Dizziness, collapse, pale and floppy (young children)
- Use an adrenaline auto-injector (e.g. EpiPen) at once if prescribed, then call an ambulance even if symptoms improve
Allergy or intolerance? A true allergy involves the immune system and can escalate quickly; an intolerance (e.g. lactose intolerance) is unpleasant but not life-threatening. The symptoms overlap, so self-diagnosis is unreliable.
Getting tested: home-testing kits based on IgG are not diagnostically valid. If you suspect an allergy, ask a GP for referral to an allergy clinic for skin-prick or specific-IgE testing and a supervised food challenge where appropriate.