It is advisable to stay away from a bee-hive. After all the bites from the flock of angry bees is just no fun! But that single bee buzzing around your garden or terrace or park, or even your veranda is a sneaky little devil who quietly gives you her little ‘kiss’ and leaves you with a big ‘aahhh’!
The first reaction you will have to a bee sting is pain, itchiness, swelling and redness. When a bee bites, it leaves its stinger and venom sac behind. Your immediate response to a bee sting should be the removal of the stinger and the attached venom sac. Use a credit card, a key, a fingernail or a pair of tweezers to do that. Make sure you do not disturb or squeeze the venom sac, which can spread more venom. The next step is to deal with the pain, swelling and itchiness. There are so many easy, simple, and effective home remedies to deal with a bee sting.
Here we have listed the best, time-tested home remedies for Bee Sting to help you next time you meet that little monster:
This is the most common home remedy for bee sting. It is a wonder how a little cube of ice can do so many things for us. Wrap some ice cubes in a clean cloth and apply this ice pack on the affected area for at least 20 minutes. This will take away the swelling and soothe the pain.
A bee sting contains formic acid in it. To neutralize this acid and to nullify its aftereffects, treat the stain with the alkaline paste of baking soda and water. Leave the paste for 30-45 minutes. Baking soda is considered to be more soothing for the bee sting.
Toothpaste is a sure shot remedy to treat a bee sting. Apply the paste directly on the affected area and leave it for half an hour for immediate relief.
Choose a meat tenderizer containing papain and make a paste with vinegar. Apply this paste on the affected area and leave for at least 30-45 minutes.
Mud is one of the best home remedies for bee sting swelling. Sounds unhygienic? But this works! Mix some dirt with water and put it on the affected area. It is known to pull the stinger out and lessen the swelling.
Onion is also one the most effective remedies for bee sting. Put a slice of raw onion on the affected area for at least an hour. Yes, this will leave you smelling a little unsavory, but it will relieve your pain.
Rubbing freshly cut parsley leaves on the sting helps to reduce the pain and neutralize the venom.
Apply one drop of lavender oil on the affected spot to soothe the pain and treat the sting. Do not rub it on the whole area.
Calendula cream is antiseptic and helps in stopping the infection. It also reduces the pain, itchiness and swelling that comes with a bee sting.
Aloe vera’s healing properties are its trademark, right? The herb is so soothing and healing that even its name makes you feel better sometimes. Apply aloe vera gel directly on the affected area and leave for at least an hour.
ACV works as a toner and a cleanser. It is amazing! But that is not all it does! ACV can also treat a bee sting. Apply it directly on the affected area and leave for a while.
Rub papaya on the affected area and leave for at least 1 hour. It helps with the pain and swelling.
Basil has so many healing properties, no wonder it is considered holy in our country! Take a few leaves and crush them well. Apply on the affected area and leave for an hour and let it do its magic on the bee bite.
Mustard oil not just add a zing of flavor to your dishes, it can also help treat a bee sting! Apply some mustard oil on the affected spot to reduce pain and swelling.
Honey is known for its anti-bacterial properties. It is one of the most ancient home remedies for bee sting. Applying honey on the affected area soothes the pain and prevents infection. After all, what else can be the best way to treat a bee sting than honey, right?
Prevention is better than cure. Why go through the discomfort of a bee sting when you can prevent it in the first place?
There are some ways with which you can avoid getting targeted by a bee. Here are some easy tips:
Bee sting is not an overtly concerning thing. It can be treated with these fairly simple remedies. But before dismissing it as not much you should look for other symptoms that might suggest allergic reactions and spreading of poison. If you feel nauseous, dizzy, get blurred vision, have difficulty in breathing and talking or you find that your wound is swelling really large, you should immediately consult your physician. If you have an allergy to bees, a little sting can also prove fatal. So check with your physician in case of any severe symptoms.
So the next time you go near that little buzzer, make sure you are armed with all these wonderful remedies to protect yourself against its menace!
Have you ever been bitten by a bee? What did you do to find relief? Share with us in the comments section below.