How To

How to Treat a Bee Sting

By eHow Health Editor
How to treat a bee sting
How to treat a bee sting
Rate: (159 Ratings)

Bees are moneymakers for some people, but for others they are pure terror because of their feared stings. Bee stings can be annoying and painful, but they rarely cause any problems. The exception is if you are allergic to the venom, and then they can be fatal.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Remove the stinger as soon as possible. Use your fingers, tweezers - whatever works best.

  2. Step 2

    Wash the site with soap and water, or clean it with alcohol.

  3. Step 3

    Put ice or a cool, wet compress on the inflamed area.

  4. Step 4

    Soothe the inflammation with a paste made from baking soda and water. Apply calamine lotion to help relieve itching and pain.

Tips & Warnings
  • There are many home remedies for bee stings. They include sprinkling meat tenderizer on the sting area, using a slice of raw onion and using papaya slices.
  • If you have a history of severe reactions to bee stings, or if you start feeling lightheaded, break out in hives, have nausea or vomiting, begin coughing and wheezing, or have other respiratory problems, seek medical attention immediately. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Comments  

| View All 25 Comments

DancingEMT said

Flag This Comment

on 7/31/2008 Pinching the stinger of a bee- such as with tweezers or your fingers- will squeeze more venom into the skin and exacerbate any allergic reaction. Using a stiff, thin surface (such as the edge of a credit card) to scrape the stinger off will remove it without further injury.

AhLcyn said

Flag This Comment

on 7/21/2008 Can I apply these to a puppy? pls respond to me

Figpox said

Flag This Comment

on 10/8/2007 Mud Pack--immediately after removing stinger, apply a mud paste over the sting. The paste should be made by mixing soil and water together to a consistency of cookie dough. As the paste dries, it will draw the venom from the sting site. This works with both bee and wasp stings. However, if the site swells, Benadryl is the best tx.

wilyelder said

Flag This Comment

on 12/31/2006 I tried the garlic and lime. It seems to be working.

Thanks.

-Wily

wily@wilyelder.com

wilyelder said

Flag This Comment

on 12/31/2006 I tried the garlic and lime. Seems to work good. Thanks.

-Wily Elder

wily@wilyelder.com

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

eHow Article: How to Treat a Bee Sting

Have you done this? Click here to let us know.

I Did This

Related Ads

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Live Strong Partner
Livestrong_eHow Health