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Bees are one of the most significant animals in the food chain. With their pollination, we see growth in a lot of plants, fruits, and vegetables that we need to survive. And while that is all good and well, bee stings are no fun.
Bee Sting Symptoms
Reactions to bee stings can vary from mild to very extreme. Mild reactions to a bee sting can be minor irritation where the sting occurred or days of redness, swelling, and itching.
When you are allergic to bee stings, your reaction to them might be slightly different than another person. A non-life-threatening allergic bee sting reaction can result in hives, nausea, vomiting, light-headedness, and stomach issues.
On the more extreme end, someone allergic to bee venom can go into anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis causes the immune system to release a flood of chemicals that can cause you to go into shock – blood pressure drops suddenly, and the airways narrow, blocking breathing. It can physically express itself through a rapid, weak pulse, a skin rash, and nausea.
Bee Sting Remedies
Now, if you are allergic to bee stings and feel yourself going into anaphylaxis, you should head to the emergency room after injecting a shot of epinephrine. But, if you experience a bee sting and want help alleviating the pain, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends the following tips:
Stay Calm. There’s no sense in panicking, especially when there are multiple bees. You do not want to run the risk of getting stung again. Remain calm and walk away.
Remove the stinger. You want to ensure the removal of the stinger if it remains in your skin. Avoid using tweezers because squeezing the stinger could cause more venom to release into your skin.
Wash the sting with soap and water.
Use an ice pack to reduce swelling. You want to use a cold compress such as an ice pack to avoid large bumps or uncomfortable swelling. However, if the swelling starts to move over your body, you should head to the hospital.
Home Remedies
Getting stung and not having the proper first aid available to help heal your irritation can be annoying. However, fear not because you can use some ingredients in your home to help soothe the pain that comes from the sting.
Honey can help with healing the wound and preventing infection.
Baking soda can neutralize bee venom and reduce itching and swelling.
Similarly, toothpaste can draw out venom from the sting.
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