Bee stings: what to do, and when it’s an emergency
Basic sting response and clear NHS emergency actions for suspected anaphylaxis.
After a sting
Move away from the bees and check whether a sting remains in the skin. If visible, remove it promptly by scraping rather than squeezing the venom sac. A local reaction can include pain, redness, itching or swelling. Seek advice from NHS 111 or a clinician if you are worried, symptoms are worsening, or the reaction is more than local.
Call 999 for suspected anaphylaxis
Sudden swelling of the mouth, throat or tongue, difficulty or noisy breathing, wheeze, faintness, collapse, confusion or pale/blue/grey skin can signal a life-threatening reaction. Use the person’s adrenaline auto-injector immediately if available, following its instructions, then call 999 and say “anaphylaxis”. Keep them lying down with legs raised. If breathing is difficult, raise their shoulders or help them sit up slowly. If pregnant, lie them on their left side. Do not let them stand or walk, even if they feel better. If symptoms have not improved after five minutes, use a second injector if available. Stay with them until help arrives.
Full NHS anaphylaxis guidance · NHS allergies guidance.
Sting safety: A sting can happen even with protective clothing. Scrape a visible sting out promptly. If you have had a strong reaction, speak with your GP before beekeeping and do not inspect alone. BBKA getting started.
Sources and further reading
Editorial review: 2026-10-25. Follow the original guidance if it changes.