Health Matters: Protecting Yourself from Bee Stings

Anyone who has been stung by a bee knows it’s not a pleasant experience.

Anyone who has been stung by a bee knows it’s not a pleasant experience.

But for some people just one sting can become deadly.

If you haven’t been stung by a bee, it’s tough to know if you’re actually allergic.

Basic allergy tests can often give false positives.

But there are a few steps to take to make sure you stay protected.
 
A bee’s sting can be painful…and for some, even deadly.
 
“They could go into a state of shock, or unconscious and that would be a very extreme case.”

A typical allergic reaction could include swelling of the throat or tongue, hives, difficulty breathing, decrease in blood pressure and dizziness.

If you haven’t been stung and are worried you could be allergic…don’t assume an allergy test will have the answer.

For a normal allergy test 20% of population will test positive but the actual percentage of people who are allergic is only 3%.
 
“So it’s not advisable to do a test to tell beforehand who is allergic and not,” said Essentia Health Allergist Dr. Saakwa Mante.
 
There are ways to protect yourself…such as avoid having an open soda can outdoors, don’t use sweet scented perfumes and avoid wearing bright colored clothing.

If you are stung, Dr. Mante says you can tell if it’s an allergic reaction whether you begin to develop symptoms in a different part of the body from where the sting occurred.
 
He adds, “If you’re stung in one arm and then develop symptoms in the opposite arm that is a definite signal you should seek help.”
 
Dr. Mante says there are therapy options available, while the therapy can last for a number of years the end result is often very effective.
 
“The success rate can be anywhere from 80 to 90 percent effective,” he said.
 
It’s a scary allergy that is sometimes out of your control, but the number one piece of advice to follow if you are allergic is always carry your EpiPen.
 
“If they are stung they use the EpiPen, go to the ER because the EpiPen is a rescue medication,” said Dr. Mante.

For anyone who is allergic to bee stings and is taking blood pressure medication, make sure to be extra cautious when outdoors.