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HOME REMEDIES FOR BEE STINGS

Bees are one of the most useful insects in the world. There are more than 15000 species of bees. With the exception of Antarctica, Wherever, there are flowering plants, there is need for insects to aid in pollination. You will often find bees buzzing from one flower to another, transferring pollen. Some bee species such as the honey bee produce honey.

As useful as bees may be to us, they will sting if provoked. When you get stung you will feel a sharp pain, warmth, itching and swelling at the site of the sting and that’s about it. No major problems.

For these mild reactions to bee stings try some of these home remedies after removing the stinger from your skin by scraping it off with your nail and thoroughly washing the sting site with soap and water.

Baking soda

Mix a baking soda and water into a paste and smear a thick layer on to the sting site and hold it in place with a bandage. Let it stay on for 20 minutes. Re-apply if you need to. This will neutralize the bee toxins and help relieve the swelling, itching and pain.

Toothpaste

Apply a small amount of toothpaste on the stung area. Honey bee venom is acidic and apparently toothpaste neutralizes it. This is a cheap easy remedy.

Ice compress

Wrap ice with a towel and press on the affected area alternating on and off every 20 minutes. This will reduce the pain, swelling and itching.

Apple cider vinegar

Apply a bandage soaked in vinegar to the sting area for 20 Minutes. Re-apply as needed. Vinegar will neutralize bee toxins.

Honey

Honey has wound healing properties. It will also sooth the itchiness and pain. Smear a bit on to the sting site and tie a bandage loosely over it. Remove after an hour.

Meat tenderizer

Mix four parts water and one part meat tenderizer. Apply the solution to the affected area let it sit for half an hour.

Itching and pain is caused by a protein in the bee venom that is broken down by papain, an enzyme found in meat tenderizer.

Herbs

Tea tree oil has natural antiseptic properties and can relieve bee sting pain. Apply directly to the sting site.

Aloe Vera has been used since ancient times to alleviate pain and soothe skin. Apply aloe Vera gel on to the sting directly.

If you are stung by a swarm of bees it could be life threatening. Bees have a barbed stinger. After a bee stings you the stinger is ripped from the bee still attached to its venom sac and left embedded in your skin. This venom sac keeps pumping toxins into you. This may result in extreme allergic reactions such as, swollen throat and tongue, breathing difficulties, hives, severe itching, rapid pulse, diarrhea, dizziness, loss of consciousness and nausea.

If you exhibit any or a mix of these symptoms call emergency services immediately.

Conclusion

Avoiding confrontation with bees to ensure you don’t get stung. When outdoors stay away from bee hives,

Wear neutral colors like gray, Khaki and white avoiding flowery prints because they attract bees. Cover your food. Wear closed shoes and you should be fine.