5 Natural Remedies To Treat Bee Sting

Often a bee leaves its stinger behind when it jabs into the skin. Carefully remove the stinger by scraping it with a credit card. If you pull it out with tweezers or your fingers, you may accidentally squeeze the stinger's venom sac and inject the rest of its venom. Next, clean with soap and water and apply a cool compress. Hydrocortisone or calamine cream can help relieve pain and itching. After a sting, watch for signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives and swelling away from the site of the sting. If you see these, check with your doctor about how to respond. Swollen lips and/or throat, dizziness, and difficulty breathing or swallowing could all be signs of anaphylaxis a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Chances are, most people have been or will be stung by a bee at some point in their life. As painful and surprising as they may be at the time, stings often heal quickly and without complication. Nonetheless, it’s important to take action after being stung! While there are certainly a number of over-the-counter treatments to choose from, you don’t need to stop by the store. Luckily, there are several all-natural remedies that can work to heal a sting right at home.

* Toothpaste

Dabbing a bit of toothpaste on the site of the sting has been known to neutralize honeybee venom.

* Baking soda

A paste comprised of baking soda and water has been reported to reduce pain, itchiness, and swelling caused by a bee sting. Simply apply a thick layer of the mixture, cover with a bandage, and let sit for at least 15 minutes before removing!

* Honey

An age-old home remedy for many symptoms, honey can help heal wounds, decrease itchiness, and ease pain. Cover the sting with a small amount of honey, cover, and let sit for up to an hour.

* Meat tenderizer

A solution of one-part meat tenderizer and four parts water has been said to break down a protein in the body that causes pain and itching.

* Apple cider vinegar

Soaking a sting in apple cider vinegar can help neutralize bee venom and ease pain associated with the sting.