We all might love bees for providing delicious honey. But they have a dark side - their stings. When they sting we feel a sharp, burning sensation that is quickly followed by itchiness and swelling.
While stinging, they leave a stinger inside our skin which releases venom instantly. Even though we pull it out quickly, the venom causes swelling and redness. However, we don't need to panic as we discuss what to put on a bee sting below.
One way to treat bee stings involves the use of an ice compress. Ice packs make the blood vessels narrow in the body, and this is helpful in decreasing the inflammation level preventing the venom from spreading further.
It should be used with a cloth cover so that it does not give burns from cold. You can apply pressure to the sting site for about 10-15 minutes.
Bee stings may be itching but scratching the itch only worsens the situation by causing an infection. Fortunately, creams can be used for that itch. One of the recommended over-the-counter medications is calamine lotion - or hydrocortisone cream. The lotion works by cooling skin and reducing the burning sensation immediately.
A 2021 research – honey in wound healing proved manuka honey, or simply plain honey can be used to fight bacteria and fungi.
Honey is said to tear open the wound so that it can release oxygen which enhances wound healing by washing out dead tissues. You should apply honey using a cotton ball where you've gotten stung.
Do not use processed honey as they contain synthetic Sugar.
Since bee venom has a low pH, the high pH of toothpaste will effectively neutralize it. Also, toothpaste can help extract venom.
Toothpaste is a low-cost home treatment option that you can try. But remember, all toothpaste does not contain high pH values. Simply, apply a small amount of it to the skin and wash the paste off after 10 to 20 minutes.
Meat tenderizer powder contains an enzyme called papain that can be used to neutralize the protein which causes stinging and itching. To use a meat tenderizer follow the following steps:
After that, apply this remedy to the affected area and leave it for up to 30 minutes before washing.
Traditional remedies on how to treat bee stings include using a mixture of warm water and Epsom salt. When added to a warm water bath Epsom salts cause muscles to relax, hence reducing inflammation and pulling out fluid that causes swelling.
Warm water also aids the blood flow, and this will increase the rate of healing. It is best to add 1 to 2 cups of Epsom salt and take bath no more than 30 minutes.
Aloe vera gel is particularly used because it possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic characteristics that can help minimize swelling and numbness. Gently rub and apply it to the skin, and ensure the gel is thin. Aloe vera has a cooling nature thus it fast forwards the process of skin healing.
Baking soda aids in the healing process by minimizing soreness. Since bee venom is acidic, and the paste of baking soda is alkaline, the paste can help neutralize the venom thereby giving relief.
For the paste preparation, you can dissolve some baking soda with water to make it thick - and then apply it to the sting area. After that, let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Similar to the aloe vera gel - lavender oil is also beneficial in soothing a bee sting. The essential oil is always recommended to be diluted, adding a few drops to the coconut or olive oil so your skin won't get burnt. Pat rubbed the affected area with the mixture. You may repeat this oil every few hours as needed.
There are different uses for apple cider vinegar which include culinary use and for the management of skin-related issues.
Vinegar is notably anti-bacterial and while it may not totally neutralize bee venom, it will counter infection and reduce the inflammation of the area that was bee attacked.
By using cotton, wet vantage or cloth dip the place of the bee sting in diluted apple cider vinegar for not less than 15 minutes. Although some people may become sensitive to vinegar you have to first wash with it and then stop if it causes skin irritation.
One of the oldest home remedy treatments for bee sting pain relief is the paste of bay leaves. Bay leaves are very common in Indian foods, but people may not know that they have other applications as well.
Mash the dried pay leaf powdered with coconut oil so that you get a paste-like that of bay leaves.
Various benefits are known concerning bay leaves. Antimicrobial properties, and anti-inflammatory properties, make it pain-relieving for the person. One can simply apply the paste directly on the stinging site as the paste will help to reduce the pain.
A natural antiseptic, Tea tree oil helps relieve pain from bee stings while treating the sting to avoid further infections. Like lavender oil, dilute it with a carrier oil and then rub it gently on the affected area where the sting occurred. If tree oil is not available, then refer to other types of oils mentioned above.
Plantain is a herb that can be used to suppress pain, inflammation, as well as itching sensations. The recommended procedure for preparing plantain is to select tender leaves that are washed in cold water. After that, you have to squeeze it to expel the fluids from the plant.
You can coat the area of the skin with the gel and then loosely bandage it. However, first, seek to find out whether any negative reactions occur when using plantain.
Witch hazel is a disinfectant and it reduces the redness and rash around the sting site. It is believed that it may be used to treat bee stings in many regions of the world.
Soak a cotton ball with this solution and gently rub it over the affected zone of the skin. They don't actually neutralize the venom, so you may want to continue with another treatment before using witch hazel.
Chop an onion and lay the flat side of the onion over the sting site and apply pressure on the onion until the pain is relieved. Onion can cleanse the wound and neutralize the venom to minimize inflammation and swelling.
This is because onions contain flavonoids which have the ability to reduce the proteins responsible for the inflammation action contained in the bee venom.
Despite their differing appearances, garlic and onions are in the same family if we strictly go by botany. Both of them fall under the Amaryllidaceae plant family commonly referred to as the onion family.
Garlic also consists of flavanoids which are known to reduce the effects of bee stings.
Therefore, if on a particularly unlucky day, your pantry had run out of onions or had not gotten the chance to buy the onions, you could easily replace the onion with garlic. You need to crush the garlic cloves and then apply the flat side of the cloves on the stinging region.
Pizza is not the only thing that basil can be used in. It’s as simple as picking a few basil leaves right from the plant, and washing them. Clean them and mash them with a mortar and pestle then apply pressure on the oozing liquid and basil leaves on the affected area.
At times, when one has been attacked by the bees, the stingers are still in the skin, which needs to be drawn out as soon as possible. Remember it may be removed by lightly scraping it over it with your fingernail or a piece of gauze.
Do not use tweezers, for instance, as this can compress more venom into the skin. However, you can also use a flat object such as a credit card.
Place the card carefully over the affected skin area and then swipe it across with slight pressure to pop the stinger. When the venom gets into the body, avoid taking too much of it in order to minimize the extent of swelling.
Wash the affected area with soap to wash off the poison and cover the sting area to eliminate venomous residue or bacteria that could cause an infection. Wash with clean water and gently dry the affected region using a clean and dry piece of cloth. Do not scrub, because this may further irritate the skin.
Raising the area that has been stung can help to reduce the level of swelling and hence reduce the discomfort that comes with bee sting. It aids in improving blood flow to the strangled area thereby reducing the accumulation of both blood and fluids around the site of the sting.
If you get stung by bees multiple times and you feel a threat, it is better to get rid of bees in your home and yard without harming them.
For most people, a bee sting can be just an irritating pain. But, it may also trigger an allergic response to a few individuals. Be sure to look out for these symptoms to find if you are allergic:
Whenever you get these signs, especially if they begin to develop gradually, seek professional help immediately. In case of extreme reactions, always seek or provide first aid treatment immediately.
