Congratulations on the wonderful news. It is a time of wonder and excitement. A time of heightened awareness about your health and safety. Even minor incidents like a bee sting while pregnant might be a cause for concern. If you have been stung, you are perfectly fine to wonder if it could harm your baby. Let’s give you the good news first before going into the specifics. Yes! In most of the cases, a bee sting while pregnant is not a cause of concern and is not at all harmful for the little one. However, we said, in most cases, not every case. There are certain risks associated in case you have allergies or severe reactions. Let’s discuss this and make you worry free.
Are bee stings harmful during pregnancy?
Any venom from a bee sting while pregnant is not going to reach the fetus or affect it in any way. The underline? Your baby is SAFE. Unlike bites from mosquitoes that carry diseases, bees, and wasps are not known to transmit infections. However, the risk of allergic reactions cannot be undermined.
Are severe reactions common?
Most people experience very mild symptoms from a bee sting while pregnant. These can range from redness, light swelling, and itching on the sting. In the US, only about 3% of adults experience allergic symptoms to bee stings. A much smaller percentage, about 0.03% may develop anaphylaxis. If you have a history of severe allergic reactions, make sure you are extra careful during pregnancy and consider using an EpiPen if prescribed by your doctor.
A bee stinger
Safe treatment for a bee sting while pregnant
In case a bee stings you when pregnant, here are some easy tips that help you manage the symptoms.
Remove the stinger immediately
Use a credit card or fingernail to scrape off the stinger. This will prevent more venom from entering your body.
Wash the stung area with soap
Use a mild soap to rinse off the affected area of the skin with clean and cold water.
Apply ice
Make an ice bag and apply it on the affected area of the skin at regular intervals to reduce pain and swelling from the sting.
Apply hydrocortisone cream
A topical treatment can help with the itching and is considered to be very safe to use even during pregnancy.
Ask your doctor for antihistamines
Medications like loratadine and cetirizine are safe to be used during pregnancy. However, we suggest asking your doctor before taking any medications.
Note: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) should be avoided in the third trimester due to potential risks.
Drugs to avoid during pregnancy
While most antihistamines are safe, decongestants like phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine, found in some allergy medications should be avoided in the first trimester. Studies have shown that these may slightly increase the risk of birth defects, though the overall risk remains low.
Make sure that you are always checking the labels before buying and always consult your doctor before starting any new medication.
What to do in case of an allergic reaction?
Anaphylaxis is a very severe allergic reaction and will need immediate medical attention. Some of the telling symptoms include
- Difficulty in breathing
- Dizziness
- A rapid drop in blood pressure
- Swelling of the tongue or throat
- Uterine contractions or lower back pain during pregnancy
- Severe anxiety
In case you experience any of these symptoms after a bee sting while pregnant, use an EpiPen if prescribed and call emergency services immediately.
Does a bee sting affect my baby?
As noted in the previous section, the venom from the bee sting does not reach the fetus so your baby is completely safe. Although anaphylaxis can cause few complications. For starters, severe allergic reactions can trigger difficulty in breathing and therefore, reduce the oxygen flow to the baby. If properly managed, it does not typically lead to long term complications for the baby.
Tips to avoid bee stings during pregnancy
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Avoid wearing floral or bright colored dresses to avoid attracting bees.
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Skip on scented lotions and perfumes.
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Always stay alert when you are eating anything outdoors.
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If your home is in a high risk areas, make sure to keep the windows tightly sealed.
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In case a bee or a wasp is in the vicinity, make sure you remain calm and avoid any sudden movements.
While the exact number of how many pregnant women get stung each year is not exactly known, bee stings are quite common in the US with over 500,000 Americans being stung by bees or wasps annually. Among those, only 40 to 100 deaths occur from severe reactions. Most of this can be preventable with timely medical care. And for the vast majority of others, they experience only the slightest symptoms.
Final thoughts
There is no cause for alarm after a bee sting while pregnant. But remember to treat it properly and on time. Also, be wary of the potential allergic reactions. In case you have a history of allergic reactions, ensure to speak to a doctor immediately after a bee sting.
A bee sting is not going to harm the baby, so don’t worry and enjoy the most magical 9 months of your life.
Want to learn more about bees and their magical world? Learn more from our complete blog here.
