My daughter got stung by a bee today. We’ve only experienced this once before, so I the first thing I did was check for the stinger, excessive swelling and whether she was experiencing any allergic reactions. Fortunately, she wasn’t but we do have some bee allergies in the family, so better safe than sorry. My mother discovered she was allergic a few years ago. Though she had been stung many years prior, she didn’t have an allergic reaction. The ER doctor said the reaction many not happen the first time you’re stung, but could become stronger with each future sting.
If you are allergic or experience any severe symptoms, such as severe swelling, a swollen tongue or difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical attention.
A normal reaction would include pain, itch and a little swelling, but within a few hours, most symptoms should pass. Here are some home remedies said to relieve the pain from a bee sting. Wash the affected area with soap and water. Look to make sure the stinger out, then try one of these:
Bee Sting Remedies
- Garlic – Crush a fresh clove to release the juices and apply to the sting.
- Baking Soda and Water – Combine to make a paste and apply to sting for pain relief
- Baking Soda and Cider Vinegar – Apply baking soda, then add a few drops of vinegar. This will bubble. Do not rinse off until pain subsides.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Apply with cotton ball to sting. Reapply as needed.
- Aloe Vera Plant – Cut open a stem and apply the jelly to sting. (Also excellent for burns)
- Onion- Cut open an onion and apply moist part to sting.
- Honey!- Apply to sting, cover with bandaid so you don’t get everything STICKY!
- Peanut Butter – Apply small amount to sting.
- Toothpaste – Apply small amount to sting.
- Epsom Salt – Add salt to warm water and soak.
- Basil – Crush leaves to release natural oil, apply to sting.
- Parsley – Crush leaves to release natural oil, apply to sting.
I haven’t tried all of these remedies. When I was very young, I recall a sibling being stung multiple times by yellow jackets. An elderly woman in our neighborhood swore by apple cider vinegar. She immediately got out the vinegar and applied it to all the stings and it worked! Today, we used the baking soda and water. I made a paste, applied it to the sting, then wrapped her finger in a paper towel until the pain subsided. In our case, within half an hour, she no longer noticed any discomfort. (I think it may have been the jelly beans…)
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