Bee Sting Treatment In Westmont, IL

Common local symptoms

• Sharp pain or burning at the sting
• Redness and a swollen, raised spot
• Itching, numbness or tingling

Signs of a severe allergic reaction

• Trouble breathing or wheezing
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat
• Throat tightness or trouble swallowing
• Hives or rash spreading over the body
• Belly pain, vomiting, dizziness, confusion or fainting

These severe symptoms can develop quickly. They need emergency treatment, not an urgent care visit.

First aid at home

• Remove the stinger by scraping sideways with a fingernail or the edge of a card. MedlinePlus advises against tweezers, which may squeeze out more venom
• Wash the area with soap and water
• Apply a cold pack wrapped in cloth, 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off
• Use an antihistamine or anti-itch cream if needed, following the label
• Try not to scratch, which can lead to infection

At our clinic

The provider will examine the sting and ask about your symptoms and any past reactions. They can remove any stinger left in the skin, check for spreading redness or infection and recommend treatment for pain, itching and swelling. If you have had a serious reaction before, ask about a referral to an allergist. MedlinePlus notes that people who have had a severe reaction should see an allergist and carry an emergency kit.

Come back or see a provider if the area becomes hot, more red, more swollen or starts to drain pus over the next few days.

Call 911 right away for trouble breathing, wheezing, swelling of the face, mouth or throat, throat tightness, weakness, bluish skin, confusion or fainting. If the person has a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector, use it as directed while waiting for help.

A sting inside the mouth or throat, or many stings at once, also needs emergency care. Call 911 for chest pain, stroke signs or severe bleeding.

Other care patients use for bites, stings and skin reactions:

• Insect sting care
• Allergy testing
• Skin rash evaluation
• Pediatric urgent care

We see sting and bite patients from nearby towns such as:

• Hinsdale, IL: about 2.4 miles east of our Cass Ave clinic (straight-line)
• Oak Brook, IL: about 2.9 miles northeast of our Cass Ave clinic (straight-line)
• Oakbrook Terrace, IL: about 3.8 miles north of our Cass Ave clinic (straight-line)
• Western Springs, IL: about 4.0 miles east of our Cass Ave clinic (straight-line)
• La Grange, IL: about 5.4 miles east of our Cass Ave clinic (straight-line)

Live closer to home? See our urgent care page for Westmont, IL.

Walk-ins are welcome at both of our locations: the main clinic at 29 N Cass Ave, Ste A, Westmont, IL 60559, and our second location inside Jewel-Osco at 4 E Ogden Ave, Westmont, IL 60559. Both are open Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM, and Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Call (630) 324-6825, or check in online before you arrive.

We accept most major plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield (PPO), BCBS Advocate Good Samaritan (HMO), Cigna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, Meridian and CountyCare. Coverage varies, so please call to confirm your plan. Read more on our cost and insurance page.

No insurance? Self-pay patients get flat, upfront pricing, with a general visit from $125. Ask about the price of any tests before they are done. See self-pay urgent care pricing.

How do I remove a bee stinger?

Scrape it out sideways with a fingernail or the edge of a card. Avoid tweezers, which can squeeze more venom into the skin.

How long does swelling from a bee sting last?

Pain and swelling usually improve within a few days. Swelling that keeps spreading, or redness with warmth and pus, should be checked.

When is a bee sting an emergency?

When there is trouble breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, dizziness or fainting. Call 911 right away.

Can my child be seen for a sting?

Yes. We care for children and adults. See our kids urgent visit page for more about visits for children.