Is My Bee Sting Infected?
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Paul Auerbach, M.D.
A reader asks (about a bee or wasp sting): “How do I know if it’s infected and that I need antibiotics?”
As you can see from the previous post, a bee or wasp sting can cause a skin reaction with redness, swelling, itching, and pain. This is very similar to the appearance of skin that is inflamed by a bacterial infection - a condition sometimes referred to as cellulitis. A wasp sting may also cause blistering with or without "brawny" swelling, which is when the skin feels thickened, warm, and bumpy to the touch. Either a sting or an infection can cause lymph nodes ("glands") that drain the region to become swollen and tender.
So, the determination of an infection becomes a judgment call. Infection following a sting usually develops 48 to 72 hours after the sting, so if someone has suffered a sting, appears to be improving, then has his or her condition deteriorate, infection should be suspected. Fever can be present with a sting or an infection, but is more common with an infection. If the area of skin initially affected by the skin seems to be stable for a few days, then begins to spread, particularly if there is any reddish streaking traveling up an arm or leg towards the heart, increasing skin warmth, or increasing skin tenderness, that may indicate an infection. If any liquid leaks from the site of the sting, particularly if it appears cloudy or thickened, like pus, one should suspect an infection. If the wound develops a crunchy or "Rice Krispies" feel to it, that is a medical emergency, because it may represent the formation of gas from a severe infection.
If an infection is diagnosed or highly suspected, the treating medical professional will usually recommend antibiotics. Sometimes, it is impossible to determine if the skin reaction represents the effects of the venom or an infection that has subsequently developed. In that case, your doctor may decide to treat you both for the toxic-allergic component, as well as for a possible infection. Finally, always remember to keep your immunization against tetanus up to date.
Tags: infection, bee sting, wasp, medical, physician, health, wilderness medicine, outdoor medicine, healthline
photo of non-infected wasp sting by Paul Auerbach
15 Comments:
At Tue Sep 05, 10:04:00 PM 2006,
Anonymous said…
Do I need to get a tetanus shot after a sting? What if I had a shot 5 years ago? Do I need another?
At Tue May 22, 05:05:00 PM 2007,
Anonymous said…
I was stung by a large bee on the upper leg and it right away swealed. By that evening it was hard and lumpy with fever to the touch. The next morning the area had spread and was more hot to the touch no sign of infection but I feel under the weather.Could it be I have infection starting?
At Wed May 23, 01:19:00 PM 2007,
Paul Auerbach, M.D. said…
From your description, this could either be an infection or a local tissue reaction to the bee venom. The safest thing to do would be to see a physician, in case this is an infection and you require a prescription for an antibiotic.
At Thu Jun 21, 12:02:00 PM 2007,
Anonymous said…
My husband was stung by a bee several years ago. Because he is so allergic the sting became a huge problem. To make a long story short the doctors at the hospital had to remove the glands in his right upper arm and right side of his chest. He was left with a pocket of fluid where his right peck is. The pocket has become very full and seems like it needs to be drained. Can the fluid cause problems for his health if the pocket gets too big? What can happen to him?
At Wed Jun 27, 10:11:00 PM 2007,
Anonymous said…
I was stung by what I think was a honey bee last week. It hurt and then itched for several days. THis morning I woke up (6 days later) and it itches further away from the sting, is red and my entire foot is swollen. Is this normal from venom, or do you think I may have an infection?
I have no fever ( I often do not run a fever) and no pain.
At Thu Jun 28, 11:40:00 AM 2007,
Anonymous said…
Just an update from yesterday. I went to my doctor and he said that I had a delayed hypersenseativity and that I now need to carry an antihystime with me as the reaction could be worse next time. He put me on pretnizone (SP?) for the reaction I am currently having.
At Tue Jul 24, 07:32:00 PM 2007,
Heather said…
I was stung by a bee Saturday morning under my right breast. By Sunday afternoon the area where I was stung has become inflamed, sore, bumpy and very itchy. My gland under my right armpit has also become swollen and very tender. It is now Tuesday evening and the symptoms have not gotten better nor have they gotten any worse. Do you think I may need to see a doctor?
At Thu Jul 26, 10:58:00 AM 2007,
Paul Auerbach, M.D. said…
With regard to "I was stung by a bee Saturday morning under my right breast. By Sunday afternoon the area where I was stung has become inflamed, sore, bumpy and very itchy. My gland under my right armpit has also become swollen and very tender. It is now Tuesday evening and the symptoms have not gotten better nor have they gotten any worse. Do you think I may need to see a doctor?"
While the swollen gland in your armpit might only represent an inflammatory reaction ("reactive node") to the bee venom, it could possibly represent an infection. It's sometimes difficult to tell the difference in person, but nearly impossible without an examination. So, although it may turn out to be an unnecessary visit, I recommend that you be evaluated by your doctor.
At Fri Jul 27, 03:19:00 PM 2007,
Leah said…
I was stung by a wasp twice yesterday on my ankle .I pulled the stingewr out with tweezers. The pain went all the way up to my knee initially and went away buy about 6hours later and was replaced by an itch . This morning when I woke up my foot was swollen and has continued to swell ever since. Now my other foot is also swollen the swelling on the right foot which is the one with the bites is swollen from my toes to my mid calf.There is a medeocre rash on the bite site. How long should I wait to see a doctor? I'm allergic to antibiotics.
At Wed Aug 01, 08:04:00 PM 2007,
mom said…
My husband got stung by a wasp about 3 hours ago. he was stung on his nose between his eyes. His face is swelling around his eyes. His nose is stopping up and then it opens up again. His eyes are running water. Does he need to see a Dr?
At Tue Sep 11, 08:13:00 PM 2007,
Cris said…
I have been stung by a bee numerous times with very little to no reaction but two days ago, when stung on the neck, I experienced hives and swelling of my extremities and throat. Luckily, I took some Benadryl so I was able to breath sufficiently but, had I not, there is no telling what could've happened. My question is whether there is a possibility that the severity of my reaction had anything to do with location of the bite, which is very close to a lymph node?
At Thu Sep 27, 07:10:00 PM 2007,
Ellie said…
My husband was swarmed by african bees. The severity and viscousness of the attack makes us believe they were african. He was not taken to the hosp. but was brought home. I did the best I could to remove them but there were (and are) so many and hurt him so badly they remain in his head mainly. Others are easier to see and remove. What do you suggest to get them out. Driving him bonkers. They are deep and embedded like they; were punched into his scalp. sorry so long. ty
At Thu Nov 15, 08:13:00 AM 2007,
Anonymous said…
I was stung on Tuesday afternoon. I t seemed to be a lot more painful than any other sting i can ever remember. My husband took me to the emergency roon as a resulr from this sting. My finger{where I was stung} became very red and swollen including hot to the touck. The Doctor put me on an I.V. with a bag full of antibiotics and sent me home with an oral prescription to take for 7 days, twice a day. So my advice to anyone experiencing any of those ODD symptoms, go to the Dr. My swelling has decreased some and I'm feeling a bit better.
At Thu Feb 21, 09:03:00 PM 2008,
Anonymous said…
I was stung by bee on the palm between hand and fore finger by a bee 6 weeks ago. My palm remains inflammed/swollen worsens as day progresses, all joints remain tender. I have a small pebble like knot under the skin approx 1/4" to 1/2" from where I was stung. I have been to 6 different doctors without much explaination. Recent saw jand specialist diagnosing "Trigger Finger" brought on by the bee sting. Anyone ever heard of this? Is it possible that the tip of the stinger remained inside and migrated a bit from the sting site? Could the hard place be tissue forming around the stinger that may have remained inside? An ER NP says it is possible that the stinger remains inside, however my treating doc says no way possible?
At Fri Oct 31, 01:44:00 PM 2008,
Kevin said…
I was stung by a bee about a week ago and it got better. Just today in the same area I got the sting it is swollen. I haven't gone to the docter yet but my dad thinks that it might be cellulitis. What should I do???
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