Bee Stings Effective Home Remedies

A bee sting can prove to be extremely painful, discomforting and annoying. Additionally, the affected area may swell and itch severely or at times there may also be a localized infection. Generally this kind of a situation does not call for any type of serious medical assistance; however it may prove to be fatal if in case a person is allergic to the venom. First and foremost, one needs to take out the stinger from the affected area. This can be done by scraping the skin with a blunt knife or one’s fingernail.

Please bear in mind that using tweezers for this purpose is generally not recommended, as this will simply aggravate the situation, as it will simply result in squeezing the venom sac, thereby releasing more venom into the skin. Once the sting has been removed successfully, the next step involves washing the affected area with the help of an anti-septic soap and cold water. This will also help in gaining relief, particularly if there is any itching. Gently press an ice pack or a cold compress against the stung area for a few minutes; this will help in alleviating pain and also in reducing any kind of swelling or redness that may be present.

Once this has been done, smear a liberal quantity of toothpaste on the affected area and leave it on for about 20-30 minutes. This remedy if performed two to three times a day will help in accelerating the healing process. In fact, toothpaste may be applied immediately onto the stung area, even before taking out the sting; this is known to provide instant relief. Apart from the use of toothpaste there are several other home remedies that are known to be beneficial for treating bee stings. Mix together a teaspoon of baking soda and a few drops of water, so as to form a thick paste. Apply a thick layer of this mixture onto the affected area, and leave it on for approximately ten to fifteen minutes. Thereafter wash the application off with some chilled water.

The application of apple cider vinegar or even a small piece of mashed papaya is considered to be effective, when it comes to treating these stings. If none of these remedies work and the swelling displays no signs of reducing or if one begins to experience abnormal symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, fever, and vomiting, then consulting a doctor is recommended.