| | BEE STINGS! When to see a doctor In children who are allergic, a bee sting can be fatal, warns wilderness medicine specialist Kenneth W. Kizer, M.D., M.P.H. professor of emergency medicine and medical toxicology at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine. And you shouldn't assume that because your child has been stung before with little or no ill effects that he or she is immune from having a severe allergic reaction. |
|
If your child exhibits any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical assistance. - Swelling over a large area of the body
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Tightness in the throat or chest
- Dizziness
- Hives
- Fainting
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain and swelling for more than 72 hours
Doctors also recommend that you seek immediate medical care if your child gets stung in the mouth or nose, which can cause swelling that blocks the airways. If you know from previous experience that your child is prone to severe reactions, your doctor will likely recommend a prescription emergency kit to be carried with you everywhere. This will contain either antihistamine pills, inject able adrenaline or both, says Dr. Kizer. Stay close to younger children when you're outdoors, and train older children to administer the emergency measures themselves. |
-