How to Treat Bee Stings

Thanks to bees, plants and flowers are continuously thriving and reproducing. Every prepper or homesteader knows this much, but no matter how helpful and miniature they are, bees are some of most the feared animals for the simple reason that they sting.

There is a misconception that when they start buzzing around a person, they are positioning themselves to attack. Not all bees sting, and many of them do not use this defense mechanism unless they are provoked. Nonetheless, there’s no harm in being more careful since bee punctures are painful, uncomfortable, and sometimes deadly. 

(A word of caution: If you have (or even think you might have) an allergy to bee stings, seek a doctor as soon as possible.)

Bee Sting Treatment:

The initial reaction to stings is pain, swelling, itching, and redness of the affected part. These are not serious threats to the skin and can be treated easily. In treating these mild reactions, the initial step is to wash the area with soap thoroughly so that the venom injected is removed. If the bee’s stinger is still attached to the skin, one can simply pull it out by using the fingernails or a pair of tweezers.

After cleaning, ice can be applied on the area or lavender oil can be dropped directly on the sting. Another remedy one can use is a homemade rub of beeswax, coconut oil, and honey. Once all these are smeared on the skin, let it cool off, and cover with a bandage to avoid further irritation and infection. 

A More Intense Reaction to Bee Stings

However, there are more life-threatening symptoms to bee sting allergic reaction also called anaphylaxis. Effects to watch out for are dizziness, wheezing, stomach cramps, rashes, breathing difficulties, and nausea. Upon the first sign of these symptoms, immediately wash the affected area and remove the stinger and any other parts of the bee left on the skin. As much as possible, do not pinch the stinger as doing so will only release more venom.

The next step is to apply an ice-cold compress to prevent further swelling and bloating of the area. Afterwards, take aspirin or acetaminophen, if present at home, to relieve the pain and antihistamine drugs to reduce the itching and swelling. But before ingesting these, make sure that they are given in the right dosages to avoid other health complications. If you are not sure about these medications or lack the needed first-aid drugs and treatment, it’s best to call for medical help. 

Usually, it takes two to five days for the sting to heal, depending on the gravity of irritation. It will take longer periods of medication if the person is allergic to the venom. 

To stave off all this pain and hassle, keep in mind that you should be wary of your surroundings, especially when you can hear a buzzing sound. 

from SurvivalLife https://survivallife.com/how-to-treat-bee-stings/