Bee stings first aid and home remedies

People all over the world have been using various bee sting remedies and treatment options for centuries now, to get some relief from this painful affliction. People are more likely to suffer from a bee sting in rural areas, or when they are visiting gardens or any areas that are green. People who have been stung by a bee at some point or the other claim that it is one of the most painful experiences they have ever been through.

While it is true that a bee sting is rarely a serious problem, it is best to avoid taking any chances. Moreover, the symptoms that are normally seen after a bee sting, such as swelling, redness, heaviness and itching can be difficult to handle by most people. What makes matters worse is that the pain, annoyance and the other symptoms of a bee sting can last for hours, or in some cases even days.

It is important to ensure that some bee sting first aid is administered immediately, to avoid any major complications. Most people try treating bee stings with the help of topical ointments and they take pain relievers or over the counter medication to deal with the pain and the other symptoms. However, there are a few side effects that can be experienced because of such medication. This could be the reason that many people check for ways on how to treat bee stings naturally.

How to treat bee stings at home?

There are quite a few home remedies for bee stings that are very effective in alleviating the pain and the discomfort caused by this painful affliction. Given below are some of the most commonly recommended ways on how to treat bee stings:
The first step that needs to be followed in order to administer bee sting swelling treatment is the removal of the stinger. However, this can be quite painful and therefore needs to be handled very carefully. Doctors generally advise people to use a pair of clean and sterilized tweezers for this purpose; however, in the absence of tweezers, it is acceptable to use the fingers too. It is very important that the stinger be removed from the area as quickly as possible to reduce the amount of venom that is spread through the body. Once the stinger has been gotten rid of, the site of the sting should be cleaned with some clean water.

Ice cubes or any form of cold therapy can work wonders in trying to reduce bee sting swelling. This home remedy also helps to contract the blood vessels, which prevents the poison from spreading into the body. In addition to that, cold therapy also reduces inflammation. For maximum effectiveness, the ice cubes need to be applied to the affected site for at least 30 minutes or more.

Applying some calamine is a great way to soothe the skin, but the lotion needs to be applied directly on the sting.
Health experts claim that one of the most effective bee sting remedies is baking soda. Instead of applying calamine lotion, there are several people who make a thick paste using baking soda and vinegar. When applied directly on to the side of the bee sting, this paste not only relieves the pain, but also alleviates the other symptoms such as swelling and itchiness. Alternately, there are some people who just sprinkle some baking soda on the wound, then drizzle a couple of vinegar drops over it. This will cause the soda to fizz on the site of the bee sting. This mixture should not be washed off, until the pain subsides.
Vinegar, which is one of the most effective bee sting remedies for swelling, can also be mixed with some meat tenderizer to reduce the pain experienced. The mixture should be applied on to the sting and left on, until the pain subsides, after which it can be washed off.

Papaya contains an enzyme known as papain, which is useful for breaking down protein and reducing the effects of the venom that may have spread through the body, because of the stinger. Cutting a few papaya slices and placing it directly on the affected area of the skin usually work wonders for reducing the pain too. However, people who suffer from latex allergy should avoid using this home remedy completely.

Banana leaves contain properties that help alleviate the discomfort caused by bee stings. However, for this home remedy to be effective, pieces of the banana leaves should be chewed for a few seconds. After that, the macerated leaves need to be placed on to the stung area directly.

Honey is known to contain antibacterial properties, as well as natural hydrogen peroxide. This home remedy is also excellent in speeding up the healing process of most wounds. The honey needs to be applied directly on to the wound for bringing about temporary relief from the pain too. If possible, after the application of honey, the bite needs to be covered with a light piece of gauze.

There are several herbs that are very effective in the treatment of bee stings. Some of the most effective bee sting remedies include fresh parsley or basil leaves. These leaves should be crushed a bit before they are applied on to the bee sting.
Covering the bee sting with a small dab of mustard can also be very helpful in relieving the pain and reducing the swelling, redness and itchiness.

In case the bee sting is on the face, especially around the eyes or close to the mouth, it is necessary to rush the person to a doctor, instead of trying any home remedies for bee stings.

While the home remedies for bee stings swelling mentioned above are quite safe if used correctly, it is important to consult a doctor, before using any of them. Moreover, in case the pain and the symptoms continue, even after using home remedies, it may be best to consult a doctor without any delay, for professional bee sting first aid treatment. Keeping the doctor informed on the home remedies used to treat the bee sting will also help avoid any sort of reaction that the body may suffer.