
Simply soak the affected area in apple cider vinegar for at least 15 minutes. Kara says it can also help cut the pain of a bee sting thanks to its “powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties” which he says may help relieve irritation at the sting site and accelerate wound healing while also helping to prevent infection-making it a triple threat. We all know apple cider vinegar has been touted for having a range of medicinal benefits, so it’s no surprise that Dr. “ The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a recipe of just water and baking soda to make it into a paste and then apply to the area.” Apple cider vinegar “Baking soda has been inked to helping with a variety of insect bites and stings,” he says. You can also try making your own salve to ease the sting. “You can use over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, or you can try natural herbs like Ginger or Turmeric that have powerful anti-inflammatory properties,” he says. This is why adding an anti-inflammatory treatment to your care can help. Anti-Inflammatoriesīecause bee stings signal the body’s natural inflammatory response, you will often see inflammation signs like redness or slight swelling at the sting site. “They can cause slight pain, swelling, redness, itching, and irritation,” he says, but unless you’re allergic or suffering other complications, you can likely use a home remedy in addition to ice and over-the-counter painkillers to get relief. While bee stings are never fun, they don’t always need to be treated by a medical professional, according to Mahmud Kara, M.D., creator of KaraMD.
#BEE STING REMEDY FOR PAIN SKIN#
Your doctor will likely take a skin culture and may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics if needed. That’s also true if you notice the area is oozing pus or if you develop a fever and chills, he says. “Call your doctor if the area continues to swell, becomes over time, becomes more painful, or feels hot,” Dr. It’s not common, but it’s possible for a bee sting to become infected. OTC pain meds like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with any lingering pain. Mild swelling at the site of the sting is normal, but you’ll want to get medical care ASAP if you notice swelling in other parts of your body. This will help reduce swelling and inflammation, Dr. Warm water and soap will help clean the wound, Dr. Don’t use tweezers-squeezing the stinger can cause more venom to be released into your skin. You can remove the stinger by scraping over the area with a fingernail or piece of gauze, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says. Here’s what he recommends:īecause honey bee stingers get stuck, they continue to pump venom into your skin, even when they’re detached from the bee, says Ben Hottel, Ph.D., technical services manager at Orkin. If you don’t have an allergy, it’s still important to treat the sting with care, says board-certified dermatologist Gary Goldenberg, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. Here, experts break down everything you need to know about treating bee stings.

So, after you get over the initial shock of being attacked by the fuzzy flyer, it’s time to spring into action. But even if you simply have a mild reaction to the sting, you’ll want to treat it properly to avoid potential problems. If you have a severe allergy to bee stings, you’ll need immediate medical attention (go straight to the ER or call 911 right away if you feel shortness of breath, throat tightness, or swelling of your tongue or lips).

The aftermath of the sting can look and feel a bit different for everyone.
#BEE STING REMEDY FOR PAIN HOW TO#
And as the weather turns warm and we spend more time outside, learning how to treat a bee sting becomes all the more important. It happens to the best of us: You’re enjoying a barbecue, gardening in your backyard, or just getting some fresh air when you’re suddenly stung by a bee.
