What is the difference between a bee sting or wasp sting?

In Australia, there are over 1,500 species of native bees and 12,000 species of wasp. Both bees and wasps are types of insects.

When a bee stings you, they leave the sting and venom sac in you. After stinging you, the bee dies, so they can only sting once.

Unlike bees, wasps can sting multiple times. They don't leave their sting in you and don't die afterwards.

European wasps are more aggressive than bees. These wasps will attack you if you disturb their nests.

The pain caused by some Australian bee and wasp stings have been rated. A rating of 4 on the Schmidt sting pain index is the most painful.

• honeybee = 2
• paper wasp = 3
• spider wasp = 4

Bee and wasp stings mostly happen outdoors, near your home.

Honeybee stings are the most common cause of allergic reactions. Stings from native Australian bees can also cause an allergic reaction.

Bee and wasp stings have different chemicals. If you're allergic to one type of sting, you may not react to a sting from another.

What are the symptoms of a bee or wasp sting?

A bee or wasp sting causes immediate sharp pain. You may then get:

• redness
• swelling
• pain
• itch

With a bee sting, you may see the stinger sticking out from your skin.

These symptoms are usually mild and not life threatening. Most bee or wasp stings will get better within 24 hours.

If you have a large local reaction, you may have swelling that is bigger than 10cm around the sting.

Bee and wasp stings can cause anaphylaxis (severe allergy). Symptoms of anaphylaxis are:

• difficulty breathing
• abdominal (tummy) pain
• vomiting (being sick)
• collapse

How badly you react to a bee or wasp sting can depend on:

• your age
• your size
• the number of stings
• whether you've had a previous allergic reaction
• other illnesses, such as allergies

When should I see a doctor?

You should see a doctor straight away if:

• you have a sting inside your mouth, on your neck or face
• you have a sting on your eyelid or in your eye
• a child has 5 or more stings
• an adult has 10 or more stings

When to seek urgent care

Seek urgent care if you have an allergic reaction. Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance if you have:

• noisy breathing
• swollen tongue or throat
• wheeze or persistent cough
• voice change
• dizziness
• collapse

Also call an ambulance if you have abdominal pain or diarrhoea in the first hour after the sting.

How are bee and wasp stings treated?

Most bee or wasp stings can be managed at home with self-care.

Self-care at home

If you are stung by a bee, remove the sting as quickly as you can. Use the edge of your fingernail or a credit card to carefully scrape the sting out.

Do not try to pull the sting out, as you may squeeze the venom sac. This will cause more venom to be injected.

Wasps don't usually leave their sting in the skin.

Wash the area with soap and water. Then apply an ice pack.

Always wrap ice packs in a towel or cloth before putting it on your skin.

Leave this in place for 15 minutes. Use another cold pack if your pain continues.

The area may be red and swollen for a few days.

Medicines for a bee or wasp sting

If you have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), use an adrenaline autoinjector (EpiPenTM) and follow your allergy action plan.

If needed, you can take pain-relief medicine, such as paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs).

Antihistamine tablets can be useful for reducing the itch.

If you have severe swelling, your doctor may recommend taking corticosteroid tablets for a few days.

You do not need antibiotics unless the swelling gets worse more than 48 hours after the sting. This suggests that the sting has become infected.

Other treatment options

Allergen immunotherapy (desensitisation) works to prevent bee and wasp sting allergies. It's likely to also lower your risk of anaphylaxis.

Allergen immunotherapy is advised for the following people.

• Children who have allergic reactions to bee or wasp stings that involve more than just the skin.
• Adults who have allergic reactions to bee or wasp stings including those that just involve the skin.
• Beekeepers.

The treatment usually lasts 3 to 5 years. The treatment is available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which reduces how much you need to pay.

What are the complications of a bee or wasp sting?

Complications from bee or wasp stings include:

• blisters
• a long-lasting reaction that goes on for weeks or months
• skin infections, such as cellulitis
• vasculitis (inflamed blood vessels)
• anxiety about being stung again that affects your quality of life

You may have a toxic reaction (envenomation) to bee or wasp stings. This usually happens after 500 or more stings. Symptoms of envenomation are:

• dizziness
• nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting
• diarrhoea
• organ and muscle damage

Envenomation can cause death.

Can a bee or wasp sting be prevented?

You can help to prevent bee or wasp stings by:

• always wearing shoes outside
• avoiding provoking bees — honeybees normally only sting in defence
• keeping food and drinks covered when outdoors — wasps are attracted to food and drink
• wiping up sticky spills straight away
• having bee or wasp nests removed by professionals — removing them yourself can increase your chance of being stung
• teaching your child about bees and wasps, such as knowing where they live and not disturbing them

Resources and support

• The Australian Bites & Stings app has first aid instructions on what to do if stung by a bee or wasp. It is free to download.
• The Health Translations website has information on first aid plans for anaphylaxis in English and other languages.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.