Bee Sting - Home Remedies

Those who have been bitten by a bee would know how painful the sting is. Usually it is associated with a stinging pain, swelling and itching. These symptoms subside in a few hours. However, if a person is allergic to the venom of the sting it may trigger an anaphylactic reaction that can be fatal. Venom of stinging insects is different from other insects. Hence insect bite identification is very important. The poison of the sting itself varies depending upon the species of the bee. Hence, the way the body reacts to a bee sting depends upon the type of bee that the sting is from. However, there are a few simple bee sting home remedies that can bring quick relief from the discomforts of a bee sting.

Easy Home Remedies for Bee Stings

The first step towards treating a bee sting is to remove the stinger. Look for a black spot in the area that you were stung. This is where the sting is. Scrape it out using a blunt knife or hard plastic. One could also pull it out using the fingernails or a pair of tweezers. Whatever the method, it is important to remove the stinger as if left in the body for long, it may cause serious infection. Also ensure that the stinger is not broken so that a part of it is not left behind inside the body. After the stinger has been removed, use any of the following simple bee sting home remedies for quick relief:

Apply Ice: Ice is perhaps one of the best bee sting home remedies. After having removed the stinger, apply ice to the area. Ice works by numbing the area. Hence the sensation of pain is eased. It also reduces swelling by reducing flow of blood to the cold area. Do not apply iced directly to the skin for more than 20 minutes. Take 15 minutes break between each application.

Use Meat Tenderizer: Make a paste from meat tenderizer and water and apply it to the area. This brings relief from the sting pain as meat tenderizer has compounds that break down the proteins that insect bites and stings are made up of.

Toothpaste: Toothpaste is an alkaline substance that neutralizes the venom, which is acidic in nature. Some toothpastes also contain glycerin that dries out the venom of bee stings. However, keep an eye if any skin irritation or rash is caused. In such a case, wash the toothpaste off the skin immediately.

Papaya: Rub some papaya to the area after the stinger has been removed. Papaya has a compound called papain that acts in the same way as meat tenderizer, by breaking down the proteins that the sting venom is made of. However, avoid using papaya if you have a latex allergy. In case the skin breaks into rashes, discontinue the use of papaya and rinse the area thoroughly.

Baking Soda: A paste of baking soda and water is one of the very effective homemade bee sting remedies. According to Claude Frazier, M.D., an allergist in North Carolina, applying this paste directly on the sting for 15 to 20 minutes brings relief from pain of bee sting.

Essential Oils: Essential oils like lavender oil and castor oil applied locally to the area reduces the pain and swelling associated with bee stings. Smearing some honey or aloe vera juice to the area is also an effective home treatment for a bee sting.

Vinegar: Vinegar can be used in a number of ways to make good homemade remedies for bee stings. Make a paste of vinegar and baking soda, or from equal portions of vinegar, baking soda, and meat tenderizer. Apply the paste to the affected area and leave it on for as long as desired. Vinegar neutralizes the venom of a bee sting and works with the other components of the paste to relieve the discomforts of a bee sting.

The common symptoms of a bee sting will subside within a few hours of using these bee sting home remedies discussed. However, if one feels nauseated, dizzy, has a swollen tongue or experiences difficulty in breathing, then a doctor should be called in immediately.