Home Remedies for Bee Stings that Will Help You Combat Its Effects
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Do you always tend to shoo away a bee when it seems to be hovering around you? If the answer is yes, you may simply be increasing your chances of getting stung by it. Honey bees are more likely to sting when they feel endangered. Flapping your arms at the bee may send aggressive signals to it, prompting it to sting. In most situations, holding still may encourage the honey bee to meander and fly away. Occasionally a bee sting can cause severe complications especially if someone is allergic to the sting’s venom. But mostly bee stings merely result in some discomfort. Home remedies can be real life-savers in times like these.
How to Remove the Bee Stinger Embedded in Your Skin?
In an instance of a bee sting, first and foremost check the sting site. In case the bee stinger is stuck in the skin, try and get rid of it by cleaning the skin area with gauze. You can also try scraping it gently using a fingernail or a set of tweezers. Refrain from squeezing the stinger out by hand or pinching it as it can inject the venom deeper into the skin. It often takes only mere seconds for the damaging poison to enter the body. Taking out the stinger along with its venom sac embedded in the skin may prevent any further irritation. Next, clean the spot with water and antiseptic soap. Pat dry and apply some calamine lotion or ice the area to reduce the swelling and itching.
How to Treat Bee Stings Naturally?
Home remedies can help ease the symptoms of a bee sting. You can try the following therapies:
1. Honey
The antiseptic properties of honey can aid in healing the wound and lessening the inflammation and itching.
How to Use It
Rub a small amount of honey on the bee sting spot for it to wield its way effectively into the infection. Conceal with a bandage loosely tied and leave it on for an hour or so.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can be one of the potent natural remedies for bee sting itch as it has anti-itching qualities.
How to Use It
Apply diluted apple cider vinegar on the are you were stung to stave off the adverse effects of a bee sting. You can also soak a clean cloth or bandage in the vinegar and place it on the puncture site.
3. Baking Soda
Baking Soda can be another good option for curing bee sores naturally as it has disinfectant abilities.
How to Use It
Make a paste by mixing some water in baking soda. Smear a dense layer of the paste on the bee bite location to neutralise the hostile symptoms of a bee sting. Leave it on for about 15 minutes. Reapply as required.
4. Essential Oils
They yield therapeutic and medicinal properties and can be an excellent natural remedy for bee tingles. Essential oils that can be used to treat bee stings may include:
- Tea Tree Oil – It can effectively soothe the burning, redness and itchiness that frequently accompanies a bee bite.
- Lavender Essential Oil – It can not only disinfect the wound but also calm the stinging and pain of a bee puncture.
- Witch Hazel – It is a powerful astringent owing to the high content of tannins present in its leaves. It can purify the skin of bacteria and calm inflammation.
How to Use It
The lavender essential oil can be used undiluted. Applying it neat can help in taking away the burning and stinging sensation almost right away. Dilute tea tree oil by mixing it with any carrier oils like olive or coconut oil before dabbing a few drops onto the sting spot. You can put on witch hazel directly on the troubled area to get relief from itching and inflammation.
5. Toothpaste
Alkaline white toothpaste is believed to help nullify the acidic bee tingle thus lessening swelling and pain. Do not use coloured gel or whitening toothpaste.
How to Use It
Blob a bit of the toothpaste on the concerned area to alleviate the pain.
6. Papaya
It contains an enzyme called papain which is supposed to support the breaking down of the protein that produces itching and pain.
How to Use It
Just smear a chunk of the fruit on the sting place and leave it on for about 30 minutes or so.
7. Aloe Vera
It has anti-inflammatory and analgesic abilities which can hasten the healing process and soothe the irritating manifestations of a sting.
How to Use it
Split open a leaf of an Aloe Vera plant and extract the gel. Spread the gel on the sting area and allow it to dry.
8. Ice
Ice can numb the pain and decrease the swelling thus bringing immediate respite. An ice compress may be very convenient to apply in the occurrence of a bee sting on eyes, lips or hands.
How to Use it
Drop some ice cubes in a thin, clean cloth and tie it to make a compress. Hold the cold pack onto the bothered spot for about 10 to 15 minutes. Reapply regularly until swelling and pain reduce. You can also use a bag of frozen vegetables or a cold-water bottle.
Tips to Remember
Some useful tips to bear in mind while dealing with honey bees can be:
- In case you encounter bees flying about you, try and stay calm. Cover your vulnerable body parts like nose, mouth and unhurriedly walk away from the place.
- Avoid hitting and whacking at bees which may incite them to attack you as a way of self-defence.
- Refrain from rubbing the disturbed area vigorously as it can heighten the chances of infection and worsen the wound.
- While eating out in the open, keep food containers covered to avoid attracting insects like wasps and bees.
- In case you are wearing any jewellery on the sting location, immediately take it off as it may be tough to remove it later after the swelling.
- Consider seeking professional help to remove any beehives around your house as a precautionary measure.
- If a bee strikes on your arm or leg, elevating that particular body part may help mitigate the symptoms.
- You can also manage mild bee sting symptoms by using over-the-counter medicines like hydrocortisone creams, Benadryl, ibuprofen that can help diminish swelling, redness and pain.
FAQs
Some of the frequently asked questions are:
1. What Symptoms Will I Experience when A Bee Stings Me?
Different people can experience varying symptoms ranging from brief pain and distress to severe allergic reactions. Common minor signs include a sharp burning ache, red bump with a tiny white spot in the middle, itching and inflammation at the sting spot. Minor symptoms usually disappear within a few days. Moderate symptoms may take around a week to resolve.
2. When to See A Doctor?
Most bee stings get cured without treatment. However, in case you get stung several times, it can result in complications or even prove life-threatening.
Moreover, bee stings can trigger a severe reaction in people who are allergic. If swelling spreads to other body parts like tongue, throat, it may indicate a grave bee sting allergic reaction. Other signs may consist of an increased pulse rate, hives, nausea, vomiting, pale skin, dizziness, diarrhoea, difficulty in breathing or an anaphylactic shock. In such instances, refer to a doctor right away. Also, if you get a bee sting swelling on the eyelid, see a doctor immediately due to the sensitivity of the location.
3. What Happens if You Don’t Get A Bee Stinger Out?
When a bee stings, its stinger often shoots into the skin. The stinger has a sack of toxic venom which can negatively impact the body. The longer the stinger remains, the more poison may enter into the body causing pain and swelling. If you don’t get the bee stinger out, the deadly venom can get released into the body which may lead to allergic reactions or even cause death.
4. Is it Normal for A Bee Sting to Itch A Week Later?
It is best to seek medical help if a bee sting continues to itch a week later to avert any probable worries.
The bottom line is, bee stings are no fun and are painful. Home based remedies can relieve mild discomfort. However severe reactions may warrant immediate medical assistance. Hence, it is essential that you can recognise signs of a severe allergic reaction.
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