Successful Bee Sting Treatment

Answer 1

Nothing can bring a fun-filled summer day to a halt like a bee sting. Virtually every active person will deal with a bee sting at some point in their lives so it useful to know how to treat stings and how to watch for signs of potential serious complications.

Find a Safe Place to Examine the Sting

Stinging bees will release pheromones that alert other bees to potential danger. It is imperative that a stung person or any person in their company immediately retreat to a safe area to avoid additional stings.

Remove the Stinger

Bees leave behind venom-filled stingers that must be removed to reduce irritation to the area. Do not use tweezers on a stinger as they may inadvertently squeeze additional venom into the wound. Instead use a flat object or thumb to scrape the skin and force the stinger upward and out.

Hornets and wasps do not leave behind stingers but their venom may also cause dangerous allergic reactions.

Apply Treatment to the Site

Nearly every sting victim will experience discomfort, pain and swelling around the sting site. A simple ice pack can reduce swelling while a mixture of two parts baking soda to one part water applied to the wound can help to draw out the venom and reduce irritation. Acetaminophen or other over the counter pain medications can also help to alleviate discomfort.

Watch for Allergic Reactions

Naturally, a stung person should immediately be asked if they are allergic to bees and if they have access to an EpiPen (epinephrine auto-injector). Assist the person in using the EpiPen if available or call 911 immediately if the person knows that they are allergic and does not have access to an EpiPen.

Even if a person has suffered many stings over the course of their lifetime without consequence, an allergy can develop at any point. Signs of severe allergic reaction include itching, redness, hives and shortness of breath. If these symptoms arise suddenly and significantly, emergency medical attention should be sought immediately.