Why does a bee sting hurt so much?

Why does a bee sting hurt so much? It turns out that it's all thanks to the bee's barbed stinger. When a bee stings, the stinger gets lodged in our skin and the bee's venom sack continues to pump venom into the wound.

The venom contains several compounds that can cause pain, swelling, and itching. In some cases, it can also lead to an allergic reaction. Bee stings contain a chemical called melittin, which is a powerful irritant. When melittin comes into contact with human skin, it causes the release of histamine, a substance that helps to protect the body against infection. Histamine also happens to be responsible for the redness, swelling, and itching that often accompany a bee sting.