How To Treat Bee, Hornet, & Wasp Stings

Treatments

Immediate Sting Treatment

Wash the sting area with soap and water. This not only removes any dirt but will also disinfect the area preparing it for possible further first aid. The area around the sting will turn red. It will possibly burn a little bit and swell up. Apply a cold compress or ice pack to the affected area to reduce the pain and swelling. For most people, this should be enough to soothe the pain and swelling.

Traditional Sting Treatment

After applying a cold compress you may want to take it a step further. There are some traditional medical supplies found in your home to help relieve the pain and swelling. Motrin or Advil are Ibuprofens that act as an anti-inflammatory that will reduce the swelling. Antihistamines like Benadryl or Claritin will not only help reduce the swelling, they will reduce any itching from the sting as well. Finally, you can rub Hydrocortisone Cream or Calamine Lotion on the skin to ease redness, itching, and swelling.

Home Remedies

Aside from traditional medication to treat stings there are a large number of natural remedies for stings. Many of these products are common items found around your house. Homemade sting remedies tend to be passed down from generation to generation, but not necessarily proven medical science.

Baking Soda For Stings

Create a paste using baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the sting area and cover with a bandage for 15 minutes. Re-apply as necessary. It’s said that the baking soda neutralizes the venom. In rare cases, the baking soda can cause minor skin irritations in some people. If that happens, remove the paste from your skin.

Using Honey For Stings

Honey not only tastes great, it has many medicinal properties as well! Rubbing a small amount of honey can lessen swelling. Honey also has a natural antibacterial property that will help curtail any possible infection caused by a sting. Of course, you don’t want to attract any more bees so make sure you apply honey in a safe place.

Apple Cider For Stings

The acidic nature of apple cider vinegar is said to neutralize the venom in stings. There are a few ways you can apply it. Simply pouring it directly on the affected area is one method. If you have a large area covered in stings you may want to soak that area in a basin of AC vinegar. You can also soak a bandage or cloth and apply it to the wound. Because apple cider vinegar is so acidic it may cause minor damage to your skin in some people. If this happens, remove the vinegar and wash the area with soap and water.

Essential Oils And Other Natural Remedies

Many essential oils have antiseptic, antibacterial or antifungal properties. You should always mix your oils with a carrier oil like olive or coconut oil before applying to your skin. Typically you’ll mix 1 part essential oil per 5 part carrier oil. Some people do have allergic reactions to essential oils so be careful when applying them to your skin.

• Witch Hazel is a common remedy for insect bites and stings. It can help reduce inflammation, pain, and itching. You can apply witch hazel directly to the sting as needed.
• Lavender has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the swelling of stings. Be sure to mix this with a carrier oil before applying it to the sting area.
• Aloe Vera is well known for its soothing and pain-relieving properties for your skin. If you have a plant you can simply break off a piece, open the leaf and rub directly on the skin.
• Tea Tree Oil is a natural antiseptic that may reduce sting pain. Mix this with a carrier oil before applying to your skin.