5 Things to Treat a Bee Sting
Updated: Mar. 20, 2019Bees do wonderful things, such as pollenate our favourite flowers and provide us with their delicious honey. But there is a cost. When your outdoor fun gets in their way and you get stung, here are five surefire ways to reduce the pain.
Look for Allergic Reactions
Watch for unusual swelling or difficulty breathing. Fortunately, less than 1 percent of people have severe allergic reactions to bee stings, and only 3 percent of people have moderate allergic reactions. But if you see swelling or difficulty breathing, head to the hospital immediately.
Tenderize to Reduce Pain From Venom
If you have meat tenderizers in the kitchen, make a pack with ice water and apply it to the sting area for 10 minutes. The enzyme in the tenderizer (papain) will break down the venom. The same enzyme is in papaya, too. If you happen to have one handy, apply a small slice. If you don’t have either, apply toothpaste. It’s among the world’s best home remedies for bee-sting relief. Calamine lotion also works great.
