Most people will get a local reaction to a bee sting — a reddened painful area of skin around the sting, which is normal. Swelling and itching may also occur. The pain usually disappears in a few hours. When the sting occurs, check to see if the stinger is still present (look for a small black dot at the sting site). You can scrape over the area with a credit card to remove the stinger. Apply ice or cold packs to help reduce swelling. Clean the area with soap and water, and you can use an anti-inflammatory cream like hydrocortisone or apply a paste of baking soda and water to reduce the reaction. Unseasoned meat tenderizer paste made with water also helps to break down the bee venom. You can also use an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine for itching, or a pain medicine like acetaminophen. Call your health care provider to make sure you have the correct dose.
A systemic allergic reaction is much more severe, and your child may develop hives, redness and swelling at sites other than where the sting occurred. She may also be nauseated, may vomit or may feel dizzy. If this type of reaction occurs, it might lead to difficulty breathing. You should go to a health care facility as soon as possible or get emergency help.