POTSDAM - One of the best parts of summer is being able to spend hours outside in the warmth and sunshine, making memories and enjoying time with friends and family.

While spending that time outside, unfortunately nature can carry its own risks – including bee stings. Bee stings can happen seemingly without warning and often lead to tears, painful welts and swelling, especially for children.

Dealing with Bee Stings

Nobody likes being stung in the summer. For those who are dealing with the aftermath, Urgent Care Provider Lauren Phillips, PA-C, with Rochester Regional Health noted there are “next steps” that should be taken, including knowing when to head to an urgent care.

“Regardless of how a bee sting happens, the first thing you should do is move away from the area where it happened. If you or someone else was stung by a single bee, chances are there will be more bees nearby,” PA Phillips said. “Most people who are stung by bees will immediately feel mild pain, followed by itching and redness around the area of the skin that was stung.”

Bees can only sting once and may leave their stinger in your skin; wasps keep their stingers in their abdomens and can sting multiple times. If a bee leaves its stinger in your skin, remove it as soon as you can. Do not use tweezers; squeezing the stinger releases more venom into the skin. Instead, use a straight edge, like a credit card, to scrape over the area to remove the stinger and venom sac.

Once you are sure the stinger has been removed, you can start treating the area where the bee sting happened. A quick way to remember what to do next is using the acronym WICK:

• Wash the bee sting site with soap and water to prevent infection
• Ice the area with a cold compress or ice to help swelling go down and lessen the pain
• Creams like hydrocortisone or topical steroid ointments can relieve itching
• Keep an eye on the bee sting to see if anything changes dramatically; call your primary care provider as needed

Bee stings usually stay swollen for 24-72 hours but gradually return to normal, according to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) experts. If redness or swelling increases after 72 hours, it’s best to see a provider.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Bee Stings

St. Lawrence Health Emergency Services Medical Director Justin MacKinnon, MD, FACEP, noted allergic reactions can occur after bites or stings from any member of the Hymenoptera insect family, which includes honey bees, bumble bees, hornets, wasps and certain species of ants.

“Allergies can develop at any point in life, with adults typically having more severe reactions than children,” Dr. MacKinnon said.

“Very few reactions are significant enough to be fatal, but because the possibility does exist, it is very important to seek immediate medical evaluation if you are stung or bitten and experience any symptoms not localized to simple skin irritation. These can be varied, but include swelling or itching of the lips or tongue, shortness of breath, change in voice or hoarseness, nausea and vomiting, chest pain, dizziness or fainting,” he continued.

Most people don’t experience severe reactions to bee stings, but fewer than one percent of people are seriously allergic and may experience life-threatening symptoms called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis typically happens within seconds to minutes.

If you or someone else is experiencing any of these symptoms after a bee sting, get to an emergency medical center or provider as quickly as possible.

“If you or your child has already had an exposure to bee stings and you know there is a serious allergy, have epinephrine on-hand in case of an emergency,” PA Phillips said. “Being prepared and having a plan in case something happens is important in situations like these.”

Even after using epinephrine, it's important to seek immediate medical attention. A small number of people who have anaphylactic reactions can have anaphylactic symptoms up to 72 hours after the initial reaction occurred.

“All of our Emergency Departments are equipped to handle any severity of these reactions, from the most minor to the most life threatening,” Dr. MacKinnon said of Canton-Potsdam Hospital, Gouverneur Hospital, and Massena Hospital.

Avoiding Bee Stings

While many bee stings are often unfortunate surprises, there are some precautions you can take to avoid getting stung.

Avoid bees’ homes: Bee hives are in a variety of different places – porches, decks, trees, even the ground with some varieties of bees. Especially in warmer weather, be aware of where bee hives might be located and do your best to steer clear.

Cover food and drinks: Bees are attracted to sweet smells and bright colors. If you are drinking juice, soda, beer, or other beverages outdoors, cover it up so bees don’t make their way inside a can or glass. The same goes for food – cover snacks or plates of food to avoid accidentally luring bees to your dinner.

Don’t go barefoot: While the feel of freshly mowed grass between your toes is glorious, the feel of a bee stinging the sole of your foot is quite the opposite. Wear shoes (flip flops, sandals, slides, etc.) while walking around outside to avoid stepping on a bee.

Avoid getting near bees: Where there is one bee, there will likely be others. You will be able to see and hear them if they are swarming in a particular area. If you spot a few, consider relocating somewhere that doesn’t pose a risk to yourself or anyone else you are with.

If you or someone you are with requires immediate medical attention from a bee sting, get them to the nearest Emergency Department or call 911.

If someone has been stung and you are not sure if healthcare is needed, St. Lawrence Health’s in-person (49 Lawrence Avenue, Potsdam; or 80 East Main Street, Canton) or virtual Urgent Care may be a good option. Learn more about Emergency and Urgent Care at https://www.stlawrencehealthsystem.org/Services/Emergency.