Table of Content
Bees, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets are attracted to sweet smells and bright colors. Michael Menna, DO, is board-certified in emergency medicine. Corey Kagan Whelan is a freelance writer living in New York who shares her life with two kids and two dogs. Her precocious puppy, Coco Chanel, once swallowed a bee. Cantharis is another homeopathic remedy to try for more serious inflammation, according to Dr. Buchoff.
If a stinger was left behind, you'll also see a small black filament sticking out of the center. Rod Brouhard is an emergency medical technician paramedic (EMT-P), journalist, educator, and advocate for emergency medical service providers and patients. Apply ice packs or cold compresses to reduce swelling for five minute intervals.
Apply a cool compress of salt water to the bee sting. This is how you reduce edema.
Hydrocortisone cream or Calamine lotion can be applied over the affected area to eliminate itching, swelling, and redness. Avoiding scratching over the stung area will also minimize the effects significantly. Bright-colored clothes attract stinging insects; avoid wearing them.
A stinger may not be present, as only bees leave their stingers. If you're allergic to bee stings, your doctor is likely to prescribe an emergency epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others). An autoinjector is a combined syringe and concealed needle that injects a single dose of medication when pressed against your thigh. Always be sure to replace epinephrine by its expiration date.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Apple cider vinegar is used for a wide range of health and wellness purposes, from improving skin conditions to helping manage diabetes. While not all of its uses are supported by research, it’s a scientifically-backed antibacterial. Another suggestion is to cover the paste with a bandage to help it take effect and leave it on 15 minutes before washing it away.
Similar to baking soda, it’s believed that toothpaste will draw out venom. Mint types are also said to provide a cool, soothing effect. You can also treat itching and redness with hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion.
All Natural
Spreading a little gel onto the bee sting can reduce swelling and help prevent the site from becoming infected. If you’ve had anaphylactic shock after a bee sting in the past, you’ll need to carry an EpiPen with you at all times. The pen delivers a shot of epinephrine , which counters your body’s allergic response.
Along with this, many types of problems and symptoms are also reduced. Ice eases the pain and reduces the chance of infection. You have to take out the stinger and venom sack first and clean the area. Once you've done that, the swelling and pain may go away within a few hours, per the Mayo Clinic, even if you've left the sting untreated. Sometimes, though, the symptoms can last for a week, or even up to 10 days. The majority of bee stings don't warrant a trip to the emergency room.
Bee Sting Treatment: 6 Home Remedies
You can apply a small amount of high quality honey to the sting area, cover it with a loose bandage and leave it on for an hour or less. The main cause behind the pain and swelling due to a bee sting is the protein in its venom, which affects the skin cells as well as the immune system. If a person is allergic to a bee sting, then it might create serious problems to the immune system. Though essential oils have long been used in home remedies, there is little high-quality evidence to suggest that any can relieve the pain or swelling of a bee sting. However, if a person has an allergic reaction to a bee sting, they will need immediate medical attention. If the swelling spreads outward from the area of the sting, or if it occurs in other parts of the body, this indicates an allergic reaction.
“It’s scary to watch but not dangerous for your dog to swallow a bee,” says Dr. Buchoff. “If the bee stings the inside of your dog’s mouth or throat, treatment should be the same as if the bite was external. Apply to the sting area several times a day to soothe the skin and reduce itching.
Free "Secrets to Successful Beekeeping" plus weekly newsletter with info about bees, beekeeping and more... If you know you’re going to spend extended time outdoors, it’s also smart not to wear perfume or cologne. Pour the contents of one activated charcoal capsule into a small bowl and add the coconut oil, mixing well. There are around 20,000 different species of bees in the world today. This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to medically peer-reviewed studies.
In the summer, sweet, floral scents attract bees and other insects, so avoid wearing perfume. You can consider trying these if you do not have a severe reaction and have removed the stinger. Hospital staff will likely also give you oxygen, as the reaction can impede your breathing.
It opens airways and helps stabilize your blood pressure. Lavender essential oil has anti-inflammatory abilities and can help relieve swelling. Dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil, such as coconut or olive oil. Several of the most common at-home treatments for bee sting symptoms aren’t supported by scientific research. Yet they’ve been passed down for generations and continue to be popular. Calendula cream is effective in easing skin irritation and healing minor wounds due to its antiseptic property.
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