How to Treat A Bee Sting At Home

Warmer weather is not without it's hazards, one of which is the bee.

Approx. 100 Americans die every year from allergic reactions to insect stings. Occasionally this happens to someone with no prior reaction to bee stings. This article goes over how to treat a bee sting and the warning signs of a bee sting allergic reaction.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Remove the stinger:
   The first thing that you should do after being stung by a bee is to remove the stinger. The longer that it's left in the more venom it will release. Just take a credit card or your finger nail and gently scrape the stinger

2. Get medical help:
   If someone experiences any of the following symptoms you should seek medical attention right away. If you're the one experiencing the reaction it's best to call 911 than to try and drive yourself and risk a serious accident.
   
   *trouble breathing
   *trouble speaking
   *faintness or dizziness
   *swelling in the face or throat

3. Relieve the itch:
   For the fastest itch relief apply some toothpaste to the bee sting. The toothpaste works to quickly neutralize the acid in the bee's venom.

4. Treat the sting:
   Another good method to treat a bee sting is to mix meat tenderizer, vinegar and baking soda together until it forms a paste and then apply it to the sting. This takes a little longer than the toothpaste to work, but after a few minutes it does provide considerable relief.

5. Pain relief:
   
   For pain relief try taking some ibuprofen, aspirin or tylenol.

Tips & Warnings

• Be on the look out for any allergic reactions to the bee sting. Reactions usually occur within a few minutes but can happen up to several hours later.

[Jolocol]

on 7/8/2009 As a personal-experience-expert at this, I have to say-great suggestions for treating bee stings.