Spending time in your own garden or park is a fun way to enjoy an afternoon. However, you may be the target of a sting by a wandering bee. This is, of course, commonplace, but it can be a painful experience. Treating a bee sting quickly can help relieve pain. Immediately remove or remove the stinger from the skin, watching for signs of an allergic reaction, then try using home remedies or over-the-counter products to relieve pain and swelling.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Taking Quick Steps
Step 1. Remove the attached stinger as soon as possible
After you have been stung, immediately remove the stinger from the skin. This is the most important thing you can do. Some people think that removing the stinger using a card (eg credit card) is better than removing it, but this method actually slows down the process of removing the sting. Some scientists even feel that this method is incorrect, and that removing the stinger as soon as possible is the best thing to do.
Remove the stinger with your fingernail if possible. If not, use tongs or other available items to remove it
Step 2. Wash the affected area with cold water and soap
Cold water can relieve pain and soap can help remove any remaining dirt or toxins. Clean the wound well and rinse thoroughly.
Step 3. Watch for signs of an allergic reaction that may appear
Even if you've been stung by a bee in the past and haven't had any further problems, keep an eye out for signs of a possible allergic reaction. Allergies can develop or worsen over time. In fact, a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can be life-threatening. Therefore, pay attention to the following signs of anaphylaxis:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or throat
- Dizziness, fainting, or a drop in blood pressure
- Skin reactions such as hives, redness, itching, or pale skin
- Fast and weak pulse
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Feelings of restlessness and anxiety
Step 4. Call emergency services if you have an allergic reaction
If any of the symptoms described previously appear, call emergency services immediately. While waiting for help to arrive (or on your way to the hospital), take Benadryl or another antihistamine product. If you have an EpiPen, you can use that too.
After receiving treatment, visit your doctor for an EpiPen prescription. The EpiPen is an epinephrine injection that you can take with you and use if you ever have another allergic reaction
Method 2 of 3: Trying Home Remedies
Step 1. Apply a cool temperature to the area affected by the bee sting
Leave the affected area under cold running water or apply ice (or an ice pack) to the area. Wrap the ice in a towel beforehand so you don't put it directly on your skin. After that, let it sit for 20 minutes.
Reapply ice to the injured area if the area gets swollen again
Step 2. Raise your arm or leg
If you experience a sting in your arm or leg, elevate your arm or leg. Hold your feet with pillows so that they are higher than your heart. This helps relieve pain and swelling.
Step 3. Make a baking soda paste
Mix baking soda with water, then apply the paste on the wound and let it dry. This paste can absorb toxins if used immediately and help relieve pain and swelling. Put a tablespoon of baking soda in a bowl and add enough water to make a thick paste.
You can also make a paste of baking soda, vinegar, and a meat tenderizer, then apply it to the affected area. Add just enough vinegar to a tablespoon of baking soda to make a paste, then add a little meat tenderizer
Step 4. Apply honey on the wound
Dab a little honey on the affected area with a bee sting using your finger or a cotton swab. Honey has been widely used to treat wounds because it has antiseptic properties. To get the best effect, use the purest honey as much as possible, especially products that are one hundred percent made up of honey, without preservatives.
Step 5. Apply toothpaste on the wound
Put toothpaste on the swollen area. Applying toothpaste will make the wound tingle and help relieve itching. Apply toothpaste as often as you want.
Natural toothpaste works better than regular toothpaste. However, you can still try one of the two products
Step 6. Apply apple cider vinegar on the wound
Wet a cotton swab with apple cider vinegar and place the cotton on the wound. While it may sting at first, the sting can eventually be relieved.
Method 3 of 3: Using Drugs
Step 1. Use over-the-counter medications
Relieve pain from bee stings with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen products (eg Proris or Bodrex EXTRA) or acetaminophen (eg Panadol or Biogesic). Ask your doctor or pharmacist to find out the best medicine for your condition if you have medical problems, especially liver or kidney disorders. Use the drug according to the instructions for use listed on the packaging or doctor's advice.
Step 2. Use hydrocortisone cream
Apply hydrocortisone cream or corticosteroid cream on the area that has swelling or redness. The cream can relieve pain and swelling. Use the product according to the instructions on the packaging label.
Reapply this cream after four hours if necessary
Step 3. Apply calamine lotion
Calamine lotion helps relieve bee sting wounds, such as wounds or itching caused by poison ivy. Apply lotion to the wound using a cotton swab. Use the lotion according to the instructions for use listed on the packaging label. Calamine lotion containing analgesics (eg Caladryl) is found to be more effective for treating bee sting wounds.
Reapply lotion after four hours if necessary
Step 4. Take an antihistamine pill if the sting is itchy
Take an oral antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or chlorphenamine (CTM). Use the drug according to the instructions for use listed on the package label or as recommended by a doctor or pharmacist. These medicinal products can relieve itching.
Antihistamine pills can cause severe drowsiness. Therefore, make sure you know the side effects before consuming it when driving or going to work
Tips
- The sting may be itchy, but make sure you DO NOT Scratch it. This will only make the wound feel more itchy and the swelling will get worse. In addition, the risk of infection will be even greater.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment to the wound after you've removed any residue from your home remedy or lotion. Antibiotic ointment helps prevent infection in the wound.
Warning
- Leave the blisters on the skin. Do not break the wound because it can cause infection.
- You may develop an allergy to bee stings, materials when you have not previously shown an allergy to the sting. In addition, you can also experience allergies to one type of sting, but not to another sting. For example, you may have an allergy to honey bee stings, but do not show an allergic reaction to wasp stings. Having a previous incident of bee sting without an allergic reaction does not necessarily mean that you will never have an anaphylactic reaction. Therefore, be alert and pay attention to the condition of your body every time you get a bee sting.
