Bees pollinate the flowers and provide us with their delicious honey. But there is a cost. When your outdoor fun gets in their way and you get stung, here are five quick ways to reduce the pain.
What Happens If You’re Allergic to Bee Stings?
Bee sting allergies can be serious, and even death due to a severe reaction called anaphylaxis. You may experience shortness of breath, swelling of your tongue or lips, tightness in your throat, or even lose consciousness.
Keep in mind that it’s possible to have a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting despite feeling mostly OK after a sting in the past. That’s especially true if you were stung by a lot of bees at once.
It’s rare to die of an allergic reaction from a bee sting, but it can happen. Nearly 90 people died in 2017 after an attack from a stinging insect, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Watch for unusual swelling or difficulty breathing. Fortunately, less than 1 percent of people have severe allergic reactions to bee stings, and only 3 percent of people have moderate allergic reactions. But if you see swelling or difficulty breathing, head to the hospital immediately.
How to Treat a Bee Sting
1. Look for Allergic Reactions
Watch for unusual swelling or difficulty breathing. Fortunately, less than 1 percent of people have severe allergic reactions to bee stings, and only 3 percent of people have moderate allergic reactions. But if you see swelling or difficulty breathing, head to the hospital immediately.
2. Remove Stinger With Caution
As quickly as you can, remove the stinger. Scrape it out as close to the skin as possible with a fingernail, credit card, or knife. Don’t squeeze, use tweezers, or pull it out, because you’ll just release more venom.
3. Tenderize to Reduce Pain From Venom
If you have meat tenderizers in the kitchen, make a pack with ice water and apply it to the sting area for 10 minutes. The enzyme in the tenderizer (papain) will break down the venom. The same enzyme is in papaya, too.
If you happen to have one handy, apply a small slice. If you don’t have either, apply toothpaste. It’s among the world’s best home remedies for bee-sting relief. Calamine lotion also works great.
4. Reduce Inflammation With Antihistamine
Take 25 to 50 milligrams of oral Benadryl. The antihistamine will help reduce your body’s attack against the venom, reducing swelling and itching.
5. Press on Some Ice
Apply ice wrapped in a cloth to the sting for 20 minutes at a time. The cold constricts blood vessels, slowing the spread of the venom, and numbs the pain and itching.
Note: See your doctor if symptoms get worse
It’s not common, but it’s possible for a bee sting to become infected. Call your doctor if the area continues to swell, becomes redder over time, becomes more painful, or feels hot. That’s also true if you notice the area is oozing pus or if you develop a fever and chills, he says. Your doctor will likely take a skin culture and may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics if needed.