Bee stings aren't just painful, they can be dangerous if your child experiences an allergic reaction. That's why it's important to know how to treat a bee sting quickly and effectively. In this guide, you'll learn everything you need to know about treating bee stings on kids.
Bee Stings 101
Bees are attracted to bright colors, sweet smells and annoying children. If your little one has been playing outside and bees have been hovering around them constantly like paparazzi over the Kardashians, then it’s likely they’ve been stung by one or more of these pesky insects.
A bee sting is not only painful but can also cause redness, swelling and itching in the affected area for several hours after the initial contact with their pointy posterior. Your child may also experience difficulty breathing, hives or swelling in other parts of their body if they’re allergic.
Tip: It’s essential that you inspect your kid at least four times a day using a magnifying glass so that any recent stingers still lodged in their skin don’t go unnoticed - you don't want anything buzzing inside them!
First Aid Treatment
Assess Them First
Before administering first aid remedies yourself or rushing off on a trip down A&E lane clutching your pain stricken offspring – take time out first (if possible) assess whether there are signs of allergies developing such as breathing difficulties/swelling elsewhere/repeated vomiting/pre-existing history etc and call 999 without delay!
Remove The Stinger
Once upon realizing what caused all the commotion with Mr./Ms.B[umble]ee- remember quicker removal lessens risk– so use gauze/tweezers whatever is available but aim at scraping rather than squeezing/removing/stressing venom which could worsen potential outcomes...
Ice It
Ice, ice baby - gives you precious time to milk final nursing days and help your wee ones get through their terrible twos. Although a less glamorous use for cold-packs is the treatment of bee sting traumas. Apply them at 20-minute intervals over several hours to reduce pain, redness as well as minimize swelling or other forms of ‘baby shark doo-doo’.
Elevate
No need to panic yet – just elevate it! Kid's body part that got stung obviously! If you can raise the affected area well above heart level this should significantly slow swelling.
Ointments aid attainment.
If your tot isn’t allergic then loading up with an antihistamine gel such as Dimetapp (containing diphenhydramine) may provide instantaneous relief from stinging sensations – if luck favours on a day Tom Cruise/Oprah called while dropping off casseroles for dinner!
Kid-Friendly Pain Relief
Bee-sting unpredictability takes hold of even the toughest little nuggets sometimes so consider acetaminophen or ibuprofen alternatives — which could additionally benefit treating inflammation/delayed onset soreness commonly experienced soon after any run-in.
Allergy ‘What Not To Do’
You love your child more than Winnie-the-Pooh loves honey- but in case they’re experiencing symptoms indicative of having an allergy:
- Resist giving them anything by mouth such as food/drinks/medications without professional medical monitoring.
- Refrain from rubbing/stroking along swollen areas since this heightens likelihood venom will spread further throughout skin layers thereby intensifying sensation/contact interval periods!
- Rely heavily upon usage/advice provided by healthcare practitioners based upon allergenic indicators displayed doing only what’s advised during consultation visits unless guided otherwise due unforeseen circumstances affecting evaluation management assessments beforehand...
When To Call The Doctor
So, you’ve treated your child’s bee sting and everything appears to be as good as new! But what if it’s not?
- "Bee Prepared When Bee-Sting Strikes!"
The following are the symptoms that could require a trip to the doctor:
- If Your Child Is Still In Pain After A Day - You’ll be able to identify this if they’re cocooned in a blanket or displaying avoidance tactics when faced with making movements.
- If They're Looking Redder Than Mario's Hat From Head-To-Toe –(excluding after eating copious amounts of chilli)- redness getting worse despite first aid steps being trialled/intensifying through time.
- Throat feels like ground zero for fire ants’ invasion forces. Difficulty breathing/communication/collapsing into hive state/generalized rash/hives popping up elsewhere (except after contact with poison ivy!!)/displaying signs of shock/repeated vomiting/seizures etc.
Lastly, always remember that prevention is better than cure especially when issues concerning stings by bees might occur on a regular basis— so make sure they cover up their skin where possible during high-risk periods whilst also abstaining from engaging in any ‘the-hive-favorite’ activities. Carry an epinephrine auto-injector around just in case things get buzzy!