Known as apiphobia, the irrational fear of bees is arguably one of the most common specificanimal phobias.

Like all phobias, the fear of bees may have many different causes.

Bee Stings

In most people, a bee sting is a mildly painful annoyance.

Honeybee

Cheyenne Montgomery/Moment/Getty Images

Nonetheless, the experience can be frightening, especially for children.

Bees often swarm, traveling together in tightly packed groups.

Being attacked by numerous bees simultaneously may increase the risk of developing a phobia.

Some people are highly allergic to bee stings.

In people with an allergy, even a single sting could cause a dangerous anaphylactic reaction.

By definition, a phobia is irrational.

For those who are allergic to bee stings, however, the fear is perfectly rational.

If you are allergic to bees, then a fear of them is not necessarily considered a phobia.

Treatment

Bees are exceptionally common, making it very difficult to avoid them.

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