What to do if you step on a bee and get stung?

To treat a sting from a bee, wasp, or hornet, dermatologists recommend the following tips:

1. Stay calm.
2. Remove the stinger.
3. Wash the sting with soap and water.
4. Apply a cold pack to reduce swelling.
5. Consider taking over-the-counter pain medication.

Can a bee sting you if you step on it?

Bees are generally non-aggressive and will only sting if they are provoked or feel threatened. If (for example) you accidentally step on a bee, it may feel threatened and sting!

What should you do if you get stung by a bee?

Wasps, on the other hand, have a smooth stinger that can sting multiple times without becoming detached from the insect. Following a honeybee sting, the stinger should be removed as quickly as possible. In many cases, the bee also leaves behind the venom sack, which continues to pump venom as long as it stays intact.

What kind of bees sting if you step on their hive?

The only sting if their hive is threatened or if they’re stepped on. Children running around barefoot, especially on grass or clover, where honeybees like to linger, receive the majority of honeybee stings. Africanized honeybees (“killer bees”) are far more aggressive and tend to attack in swarms without provocation.

Can a bee sting cause a generalized reaction?

For most people, a sting won’t cause more than pain, swelling, and redness right around the sting—what’s known as a local reaction. However, a small percentage of people are allergic to insect stings and suffer a much more severe and dangerous reaction, known as a generalized reaction.

What’s the difference between a wasp and a bee sting?

Bee stings and wasp stings look very similar for the most part. Unless you see the insect sting you, it may not be apparent which one it was, so knowing what to look for in the sting can be helpful. You will experience instant and sharp burning pain at the site of the sting.