Bees are essential to the health of our world, but their stings hurt something fierce. If you’re allergic to bee stings, well, it’s certainly not good new bears. Rather than discussing whether or not your bee sting will land you in the hospital, let’s go over a few home remedies sure to lessen if not totally knock out pain. And remember, the first thing to do after being stung by a little black and yellow dude is to carefully take the stinger out:
Ice
Ice cools the burn of the sting and numbs the wound. It also slows blood flow to the affected area, which helps reduce swelling. Apply ice to your sting for no more than 20 minutes at a time, and take 15-minute breaks in between.
Honey
Believe it or not, the stuff that bees produce actually counteracts the effects of the sting! Honey contains numerous antibacterial properties as well as hydrogen peroxide, and is also believed to quicken healing time. Apply honey directly to the wound to relieve pain, and use gauze if needed to avoid unwanted stickiness.
Toothpaste
Many toothpastes feature glycerin, which dries out bee venom to speed up healing. Additionally, toothpaste is an alkaline substance, and therefore neutralizes the acid in venom.
Vinegar Paste
Ah, vinegar. Is there anything it can’t do? The clear liquid treats bee stings among many other medicinal uses, and works best in combination with baking soda and meat tenderizer. Mix in equal parts to create a nice paste, and add more baking soda if necessary to ensure thickness. Apply the paste directly to the wound and leave on as long as you need.
Try these and other bee sting home remedies, such as covering the wound with deodorant or a slice of fresh papaya. Keep in mind a normal reaction to a bee sting is pain, redness, itchiness, and swelling. The pain should go away after a few hours, but if it doesn’t and or you experience other unusual symptoms, such as nausea and dizziness, see your doctor immediately.
Have you ever been stung by a bee? What did you do to treat it? Share your tips in the comments section!