Bumblebee (Bee Sting) Allergy Blood Test 

This test measures a person's allergic reaction to Bumblebee stings.   Bumblebees are distinguished from Honeybees by their larger, rounder, and fuzzier bodies along with their 2 sets of wings.  For most people, bee stings are painful and may cause minor temporary swelling.  However, people who are allergic may suffer a more severe reaction.  There is a range of symptoms a person may experience depending on how serious their allergy is.  Common symptoms can include itching, hives, or swelling on large areas of the body, swelling in the face, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.  Some people may experience anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.  People with bee allergies should take reasonable precautions when outside during seasons when bees are prevalent.  If you have a severe allergy, keeping an epinephrine shot handy is recommended.  it is common for someone who is allergic to bumblebees to also be allergic to other species including honeybees.     

Allergies are caused by a reaction in the body's immune system.  The body identifies certain substances, such as the bee's venom, as harmful and produces IgE antibodies against them.  The severity of the allergy will vary from one person to the next.  Blood allergy testing provides numerical results for IgE antibody levels to help determine how severe a reaction a person will have.

A bumblebee allergy test may be ordered if someone has had a bad reaction to a bee sting or preemptively to help determine if they have a bee allergy.  We also offer a Bee and Stinging Insect Allergy Panel for more comprehensive testing.  For other options, see our Allergy Testing Category.

Turnaround for this test is typically 3-5 business days.