
Bees inject venom into the system on stinging. This venom is a protein that acts as an antibody for the immune system and triggers a response. Pain, swelling, irritation, and local skin hives comprise the general outcomes of stinging.
The moment a bee stings, one experiences irritation and pain that ranges from mild to sharp in intensity. Usually, the discomfort disappears in 2 – 3 hours but leaves behind some signs. These include: pain, redness, itching, swelling, skin hives, and infection. All these symptoms usually remain localized to the skin around the stung spot. In very rare cases, some may experience serious allergic reactions on getting stung by a bee. Such cases need immediate medical assistance. The pain, soreness, and uneasiness can be relieved to a great extent by trying out some easy-to-follow home remedies.
Some Home Remedies for Bee Sting Relief
You can get relieved from a bee sting with the help of stuff easily available at home. Have a look!
► Bee sting treatment starts with the removal of the stinger. You can easily take it out with the help of tweezers. Do it as early as possible to prevent the spread of venom to other parts of the body.
► The above step should be immediately followed by washing the stung area with cold water and soap. This will clean the injured region and minimize the chances of an infection.
► You can get instant but temporary relief from the pain by placing a copper coin on the injured region for 5 minutes or so.
► Baking soda is an easily available household item. Take a teaspoon of it and mix it well in 2 – 3 drops of water. Apply it on the stung area to decrease the pain and ease the discomfort.
► Take a tiny mustard seed and keep it on the bitten area. Many people recommend this as it helps in bringing down the pain and irritation caused due to the bee sting.
► Another effective remedy employs the use of meat tenderizer and vinegar. Take little amounts of each, make a paste, and apply it on the stung area. This not only helps in providing relief but also hastens the process of healing.
► Honey has antibiotic, soothing, and healing properties. Place a drop of it on the stung spot for about 10 – 15 minutes. Rinse it off properly and repeat the same in an interval of 3 – 4 hours.
► One of the simplest and natural remedies is to make use of an ice cube. Take one and place it on the injured spot for about 2 – 3 minutes. This helps in providing instant comfort and relieving from the irritation.
► You must have heard that toothpaste is beneficial in treating acne. This is because it can reduce the inflammation on the skin. You can make use of it as a bee sting treatment as well. Apply it directly on the affected spot and leave it on for about 20 – 30 minutes.
► Aloe vera has antiseptic, antibiotic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, hence it is one of the most effective bee sting remedies. Take a little pulp from an aloe vera leaf, and cover the injured spot with it. Allow it to stay for about 5 – 10 minutes to soothe the stung area. You may try it 3 – 4 times a day for quick relief.
A Few Over-the-counter Remedies
You may try some non-prescription topical creams and oral medicines as well for getting relief. Do bear the following points in mind while choosing one.
► The topical cream should contain substances like, antihistamines, analgesics, and corticosteroids. These substances help in relieving inflammation, pain, itching, and swelling at the stung spot. Make use of such a cream as directed on the pack.
► The oral medicine should be an antihistamine. It helps in reducing the redness of the skin and preventing the spread of the venom to other parts of the body.
► Over-the-counter pain killers, like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are effective in relieving the pain.
As mentioned earlier, there can be some people who may develop severe symptoms due to a bee sting. For such cases, the above-mentioned remedies will not prove to be of much help. If you find your case to be similar, do visit a health care professional for necessary intervention.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.