Life Saving Facts about Bee Sting Allergies

Bee sting allergies can cause mild, local symptoms to severe allergic reactions. Normally, people will have a local reaction to bee stings, consisting of redness, pain or itching in the affected area, and swelling around the sting. These symptoms normally subside without any complications within several hours or days. However, there are people who are oversensitive to bee stings causing severe swelling over a large area of the body.

If is the first time that a person suffered from a bee sting, he or she becomes "sensitized" to the venom. After the second sting, that person may develop anaphylaxis -- an acute hypersensitive reaction of the body that can affect several organs in the body, can be potentially fatal.

If anaphylaxis happens, immediate medical care is needed by the patient. Below are some of tell tale sign of this adverse reaction:

• Shortness of breathing and tightness in the chest
• Hives, or severe itching throughout the body
• Dizziness or passing out
• Swelling of the tongue
• Cardiac arrest
• Sharp drop in blood pressure
It is advisable to immediately see a doctor after you have been stung by a bee to avoid complications. This is very important especially for children or infants who are still unable to communicate the symptoms.