As flowers bloom, bees come out of hibernation. These tiny heroes help plants grow by pollinating them.
But if you get too close to a bee, you might get stung. Most stings cause mild pain, but some can be serious.
When a bee stings, you'll feel a sharp, burning pain. This is the first sign you've been stung.
Soon, you'll notice swelling, redness, itching, and warmth around the sting. A small white spot may appear where the stinger went in.
Honeybee stings are special because they leave a barbed stinger behind, which you can see after the swelling goes down.
Most bee sting symptoms go away in a few hours, but swelling and redness can last a few days. Full healing takes 7-10 days.
Try not to scratch the sting area. Scratching can make the swelling worse and slow down healing.
Around 2 million people in the US have allergic reactions to bee stings. Some reactions can be very serious.
A severe reaction called anaphylaxis can happen in minutes. Signs include hives, swelling of the face, and trouble breathing.
Anaphylaxis is life-threatening. If these symptoms appear, call 911 right away and get medical help fast.
Bee stings are common, but knowing how to handle them can keep you safe and help you heal quickly.