Bee and wasp stings can be painful. Dermatologists offer these tips to treat a sting and help relieve pain. Dermatologists with the American Academy of Dermatology recommend following these tips.
How to treat bee stings
Bee stings can happen quickly. To help ease your panic, it's important to know what to do and what not to do to treat a bee sting.
The first thing to do is to get the sting out quickly. The longer the stinger remains in the skin, the more poison it releases, which increases a person's pain and swelling.
To treat bee stings, wasps or hornets, dermatologists recommend the following tips:
1. Stay calm
Although most bees only sting once, wasps can sting again. If you are stung, calmly move away from the area to avoid further attacks.
2. Sting removal
If the bug remains on your skin, remove it by scraping it with your fingernail or a piece of gauze. Never use tweezers to remove an insect, as squeezing them may release more poison into your skin.
3. Washing with soap and water
Wash the bite with soap and water to kill any potential microbes or germs.
4. Apply a cold pack to reduce swelling
However, if the swelling spreads to other parts of your body, such as your face or neck, go to the emergency room immediately, as you may have an allergic reaction.
Other signs of an allergic reaction include difficulty breathing, nausea, hives, or dizziness.
5. Take available pain medication
Consider taking over-the-counter pain relievers. Stings of bees, wasps and hornets are painful.
Pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve pain. Always follow the directions on the label and use the correct dose.
Summary
Although most people do not have severe reactions to bee stings, it is a good idea to monitor anyone who has been stung in case they develop more serious symptoms.
If you notice any signs of an allergic reaction, or if you or someone you know has been stung several times, especially if they are a child, seek medical attention immediately.