Risk factors

You're at increased risk of bee stings if:

• You live in an area where bees are especially active or with beehives nearby
• Your work or hobbies require spending time outside

You're more likely to have an allergic reaction to bee stings if you've had an allergic reaction to a bee sting in the past, even if it was minor.

Adults tend to have more-severe reactions than children do and are more likely to die of anaphylaxis than children are.