What You Need to Know About Wasp and Bee Stings

A guide to common reactions, allergy warning signs, and safe first aid

Why stings happen

Bees and wasps sting to defend themselves or their nests. In Australia, stings most often occur during warmer months when people spend more time outdoors. Most stings are unpleasant rather than dangerous, but reactions vary between individuals and can change over time.

Typical sting reactions

A usual reaction includes sharp pain at the time of the sting, followed by redness, swelling, and itching around the site. Swelling often peaks within the first day and settles gradually over several days. These reactions reflect the body’s normal inflammatory response to venom and do not mean allergy.

Large local reactions

Some people develop more extensive swelling that spreads beyond the sting site, sometimes involving an entire limb. This can look alarming but is usually not an allergic emergency. Large local reactions often feel tight, itchy, or uncomfortable and take longer to settle. Children commonly experience these reactions.

Allergic reactions and emergencies

Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) are uncommon but serious. Warning signs include difficulty breathing, throat tightness, hoarse voice, dizziness, collapse, widespread hives, or swelling of the lips and tongue. These symptoms require immediate emergency care. Previous mild reactions do not reliably predict future reactions, so any new severe symptoms matter.

Immediate first aid

If a bee sting is visible, gently remove the stinger by scraping it off sideways rather than squeezing it. Clean the area, apply a cold pack to reduce pain and swelling, and keep the area clean. Avoid scratching, as broken skin increases infection risk. Wasps do not leave a stinger behind.

When to see your GP

A GP review helps if swelling continues to worsen after the first day, signs of infection appear, pain interferes with function, or you have repeated stings. Review is also important if you have asthma, heart disease, a history of allergy, or if stings occur in sensitive areas such as the face, eyes, or throat.

Reducing future risk

Wearing footwear outdoors, avoiding sweet drinks left uncovered, keeping food sealed during picnics, and remaining calm around insects reduce sting risk. Nest removal should be handled by professionals rather than attempted at home.

This article provides general health information only and does not replace medical advice. Please seek urgent medical care for any severe allergic reaction or breathing difficulty.