Summer in Drammen means barbecues by the Drammenselva river, walks in the Bragernesåsen woods – and insects buzzing at dusk. The vast majority of insect stings are harmless and cause nothing worse than an itch. But now and then the body reacts more strongly, and it helps to know the difference between an ordinary sting and a reaction that needs medical attention.
What happens in the skin when you get stung?
When a wasp, bee, bumblebee or mosquito stings, a little venom or saliva is injected into the skin. Your immune system responds by releasing histamine, and the result is familiar: redness, a small swelling and itching around the site. According to Helsenorge, Norway's official health service, this normal local reaction usually settles within a few hours, though for some people it can last several days.
A wasp or bee sting stings and hurts immediately, while a mosquito bite mostly just itches. Both are annoying but rarely dangerous in themselves. It is the body's overreaction – not the sting itself – that can become a problem.
How to soothe an ordinary sting
For most stings, simple self-care at home is enough. Norwegian health information services and the Poison Information Centre (Giftinformasjonen) recommend a few basic steps:
- Remove the stinger if it is left in the skin after a bee sting. Scrape it out gently with a fingernail or a card – don't pinch it, as that squeezes in more venom.
- Cool the area with cold water, a cold cloth or some ice wrapped in a towel. Cold reduces both swelling and itching.
- Try not to scratch. Scratching can break the skin and lead to infection. If the itch is intense, over-the-counter anti-itch products from a pharmacy (apotek) can help – ask the pharmacist for advice.
- Keep an eye on the site over the next few days. Some swelling is normal, but increasing warmth, tenderness and spreading redness may signal an infection.
A large local swelling – for example a whole forearm swelling up after a wasp sting – looks dramatic but is not the same as an allergic shock reaction. It is uncomfortable but usually clears up on its own. If you're unsure, it's always fine to call your GP (fastlege) for an assessment.
When is it an allergic reaction?
Mild allergic reactions to insect stings are fairly common. Serious reactions are, fortunately, rare – they affect roughly one in a hundred people, according to Helsenorge. What sets an allergic reaction apart is that the symptoms spread beyond the sting site itself. Watch for:
- Hives, rash or itching on parts of the body other than where you were stung
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, throat or eyelids
- Nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
- Dizziness or a feeling that you might faint
If you develop symptoms like these, contact a doctor the same day. If you have had an allergic reaction to an insect sting before, be extra alert – reactions can be stronger the next time.
Anaphylaxis – the serious reaction
In rare cases the body develops a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis (allergic shock). It develops quickly, often within minutes. Helsenorge describes the typical warning signs:
- Difficulty breathing, wheezing or hoarseness
- A feeling that the throat is tightening
- Rapid pulse, severe dizziness or loss of consciousness
- Widespread rash combined with swelling of the face and throat
At any sign of anaphylaxis – especially breathing difficulty, throat swelling or fainting – call 113 (the Norwegian medical emergency number) at once. If the person has been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector (adrenalinpenn), it should be used right away, into the thigh muscle, before you call. Lay the person down with their legs raised while you wait for the ambulance.
People who have had a whole-body reaction to an insect sting can be referred for assessment and, where appropriate, allergy vaccination (desensitisation). The treatment is highly effective: more than 90 per cent of those who have general reactions after wasp stings later tolerate stings well once the maintenance dose is reached, according to Norwegian Health Informatics (NHI). Your GP is the gateway to this kind of assessment.
How the Norwegian system works: GP, legevakt or 113
If you are new to Norway, the three-tier system can be confusing. Here is a simple rule of thumb:
- Your GP (fastlege) – for mild to moderate reactions, stings that become infected, or if you want to investigate a suspected insect allergy. During opening hours you reach us by phone for an assessment.
- Out-of-hours clinic (legevakt, phone 116 117) – outside your GP's opening hours, for reactions that are worsening, or stings in the mouth, throat or eye that are not immediately life-threatening.
- 113 – for breathing difficulty, throat swelling, fainting or other signs of anaphylaxis. Never hesitate here.
For a fuller explanation of which number to use when, see our guide: 113, 116 117 or your GP? How to know who to call.
A little prevention makes summer safer
You can't avoid insects entirely, but a few habits reduce your risk: don't drink sweet, sugary drinks outdoors without a lid (wasps are drawn to sugar), cover food at the barbecue, and use insect repellent at dusk. Strong perfume and brightly coloured clothing can attract wasps and bees. If you react strongly to pollen in spring, it's worth knowing that allergies often go together – see our article on the pollen season in Drammen.
If you spend a lot of time in the woods and fields around Drammen this summer, it's also wise to watch out for ticks. We've written a separate article on tick bites and Lyme disease.
This article gives general information and does not replace an individual assessment. If you're in doubt about a reaction, or have reacted strongly to insect stings before, talk to your GP about what to do – and whether you should keep an adrenaline auto-injector on hand.
Need a GP in Drammen?
Hotvet legesenter is open at Rosenkrantzgata 75 in central Drammen. Several of our six GPs have space on their patient lists, and we welcome English-speaking patients.
See available GP places