If you've never been stung by a bee, you might not know whether you're allergic or not. That can put you in a dangerous position any time you're around bees during the summer and spring. Though most bees aren't going to sting unprovoked, it's a good idea to know whether or not you run a greater risk than others.

If Allergies Run In Your Family

Having parents who have allergies means that there's a greater chance that you will have allergies. However, there's also not a one-to-one correlation to which allergy you will have, and it is often as environmental as it is genetic.

In other words, allergies running in your family could mean that you have a higher chance of being allergic to bees, even if the allergy your parents have is to "peanuts." This is because allergic reactions are immune system overreactions and what your immune system overreacts to is often environmental.

If You Have Been Stung Before

Being stung by a bee before doesn't necessarily mean you aren't allergic. In fact, the opposite can be true. Over time, you can develop allergies to bee stings. If your last sting reacted more than it should have (generally involving considerable swelling and aching), then it's a good sign that you're going to be allergic next time you're stung. 

Many people also don't realize that they are allergic to bees already when they are stung, as they write off the reaction they have as a natural reaction. A bee sting creates some localized swelling, pain, itching, and discomfort. However, it does not create significant swelling, and the swelling should not last a long time.

If You Get Tested

An allergy test can be a fast way to discover most of the things that you're allergic to. Allergy tests use small amounts of allergens deposited onto your skin to test for the presence of a reaction. In the case of bees, a small amount of bee venom is applied to your skin in a safe setting. This venom may produce some redness or itching, but it will not produce a violent allergic reaction. At the same time, you can get tested for other allergies.

If you feel as though you may be allergic to bee stings, you may want to get an EpiPen from your doctor. An EpiPen will help you recover from the sting long enough to get help, and it can be used to treat a variety of allergic reactions.

For more information, reach out to a professional like Oak Brook Allergists.