If you are the victim of a bee's sting, you may notice that the area becomes red and swollen. The stinger may cause you to feel sudden pain in the area where you were stung. Provided that you are not allergic to the toxins emitted by bees, an occasional sting should not cause you to experience any serious medical issues.
In the case of a honeybee sting, the sting is more dangerous to the bee. After a honeybee stings you, the bee dies. The honeybee loses its life because its tiny digestive tract, nerves and muscles are intricately connected with the stinger. Consequently, the bee suffers from a rupture in its abdomen resulting in death.
If you are stung by a bee and break out in hives or experience severe itching, you are suffering from a severe allergic reaction requiring immediate medical attention. If you start to vomit or have diarrhea, go to the nearest emergency room right away. If you only experience a mild reaction, you may find relief by using one or more of the following home remedies:
1. Remove a honeybee's stinger with tweezers.
Removing the stinger reduces any toxic reactions in the wounded area. First, sterilize the tweezers with alcohol. After carefully removing the stinger, use soap and warm water to disinfect the wound and your skin. If you are not near running water when the bee's sting occurs, you can use hand sanitizer to cleanse the wound. In addition, applying an ice pack lessens the effect of the bee's toxic venom.
2. Apply honey to the wound.
It is an odd coincidence that honey, the product manufactured by bees, also serves as a remedy to heal wounds caused by the same insects. After cleansing the area, use a cotton swab to apply a tiny amount of honey to the wound. Covering the wound with gauze or a bandage helps the wound heal faster. According to some experts, manuka honey has more antibiotic properties than ordinary honey. However, any type of honey will suffice if you are suddenly stung by a bee.
3. Apply apple cider vinegar to the wounded area.
If you do not have any apple cider vinegar, you can use distilled white vinegar. Apply a cotton ball moistened with vinegar to the wound. Hold the wet cotton ball over the wound for several minutes. Next, apply a bandage.
4. Use calamine lotion to help red, itchy skin.
You may remember using old-fashioned calamine lotion when you were a child. The traditional remedy may help relieve the wounded area from redness and itchiness. If the interior or exterior of your home has a serious bee problem, contact Pinpoint Pest Control for a professional consultation.
