Honey Bee sting

Ouch! Poor you - I’ve no idea about your question- did you have a reaction last time? I have a friend who has a very bad allergy to bee stings so much that they carry an epi pen and they pretty much react immediately- but like I say their reaction is severe.

How long ago were you stung? I think if you start to feel ill or feel swelling in your mouth etc it may be best to call 111, hope your ok and feel better soon

Lainie71 said:

I have about 15 mins ago trodden on a tiny honey bee in my kitchen. My pad underneath the toe is a little tender and I have removed the tiny stinger and I have bathed my foot/toe with apple cider vinegar, taken an antihistamine and feel very sorry for myself. My worry is, being the second time I have been stung, first time a small wasp and now this I am panicking I will have a bad reaction how long before I would know? I think by now I would know but just asking out of interest!

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Wasps and bees have completely different sorts of venom, one is acid, the other alkali (can't recall which is which) so I would expect there is less risk of a subsequent "second time round" allergic reaction compared to being stung twice by a bee. Still well worth keeping an eye on.

KennyA said:

Wasps and bees have completely different sorts of venom, one is acid, the other alkali (can't recall which is which) so I would expect there is less risk of a subsequent "second time round" allergic reaction compared to being stung twice by a bee. Still well worth keeping an eye on.

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I remember by being advised to use Bicarbonate of soda for bee sting, (B for bee) and vinegar for wasp sting.

@Lainie71 My mother was severely allergic to bee stings. I believe you start to get a reaction within an hour or so, swelling, hives , shortness of breath, and general distress. She was stung on her thigh and it was all very dramatic. I was very young at the time. She had a nasty round scar, about 4” in diameter from it.

Pipp said:

I remember by being advised to use Bicarbonate of soda for bee sting, (B for bee) and vinegar for wasp sting.

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Bee sting is acid and wasp alkali then.

KennyA said:

Bee sting is acid and wasp alkali then.

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According to my dear departed mum yes.
Though this article seems to contradict some of her wisdom.


Mum did once relieve a bee sting I had as a tot by mixing a paste with dolly blue, ( a very old fashionec laundry whitener) which I believe is alkaline.
Looked like Braveheart as the sting was on my forehead.
It was probably the icepack that relieved the pain.

Not wishing to derail the thread, though. As someone with lots of allergies, I understand the concern about stings. Thankfully with stings and insect bites I tend to get localised swelling, and hot sore to the touch area around the sting, which can take a few days to resolve. Needing rescue meds.

You would know in minutes if you were severely allergic, because you could have wheezing , oedema, drop in blood pressure. It can be fatal. (Sorry if this is scary). It is possible to be tested for allergy, if you are you will need adrenaline injector pens to carry at all times. Most people , as long as they are not allergic have mild discomfort that can be relieved by antihistamines and if localised redness and swelling, mild steroid cream.

SimonP78 said:

My understanding is an hour too - both of my children have a nut allergy (which usually manifests itself within minutes) but I did look recently after my youngest ate a praline mini Easter egg, that someone had mistakenly told her was pure chocolate, while wondering whether my large dose of antihistamines would be sufficient and how long I'd need to keep an eye on her.

I've had similar questions run though my head while out cycling down deserted bridal ways quite a long way from home when stung by wasps (which either get crushed by my legs when pedalling though thick foliage, or ingested into the vents in my helmet and I can't remove it fast enough!) I don't tend to take vinegar nor bicarb with me!

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Hi Simon, I think it depends on how quickly a person’s immune system responds. Some people react faster than others, but from what I recall, and I was very small at the time, it did take a while for my mom to react and become anaphylaxic. I’ve been stung by wasps more times than I care to remember with nothing more than a bit of swelling and a few painful hours. As you say usually because they are squeezed in some way. I have never been stung by a bee. I would love to keep bees, but I’m nervous about it because of my mom.