Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by David Williams and by How.com.vn staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD. David Williams is a Professional Beekeeper and Bee Removal Specialist with over 28 years of beekeeping experience. He is the Owner of Bzz Bee Removal, a bee removal company based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Bzz Bee Removal locates, captures, and transports bees to local beekeepers to prevent colony collapse disorder.
There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
How.com.vn marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 41 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status.
This article has been viewed 4,775,402 times.
Spending time in your garden or hanging out with friends at a park is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon—until you feel a sharp poke and realize you've been stung by a bee. Bee stings are relatively common and don't have to ruin your day, as long as you act quickly. Here, we've gathered some of the best options so if you'll know what to do if you get stung.
Steps
Expert Q&A
- QuestionHow can I avoid getting stung by a bee?
David WilliamsDavid Williams is a Professional Beekeeper and Bee Removal Specialist with over 28 years of beekeeping experience. He is the Owner of Bzz Bee Removal, a bee removal company based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Bzz Bee Removal locates, captures, and transports bees to local beekeepers to prevent colony collapse disorder.
Beekeeper & Bee Removal SpecialistMake sure not to swat at bees. Simply avoid the bee, move out of the way, and walk away from it. If a bee is being aggressive, continue to walk away and put distance between you and the insect. - QuestionHow long does it take for the effects of a honeybee sting to show?
Jurdy Dugdale, RNJurdy Dugdale is a Registered Nurse in Florida. She received her Nursing License from the Florida Board of Nursing in 1989.
Medical Review BoardThis is a good question. Often one thinks the sting is not too bad, but then it begins to spread in an outward fashion. That is why it is good to mark the area with a pen. It can be many hours later and the sting has still not subsided. - QuestionWhat should I do if the site stings from cream and vinegar?Jurdy Dugdale, RNJurdy Dugdale is a Registered Nurse in Florida. She received her Nursing License from the Florida Board of Nursing in 1989.
Medical Review BoardI would recommend that you wash the area thoroughly with cold water and then allow it to dry.
Video
Reader Videos
Tips
- Give bees and other insects plenty of space and stay away from flowers to avoid getting stung. If you see bee activity, move away from the area calmly.[12]Thanks
- Wear unscented lotions and cosmetics to avoid attracting bees that might mistake you for a flower.[13]Thanks
Tips from our Readers 
- If you have an epinephrine autoinjector prescribed for severe allergic reactions, always keep it on your person when going outdoors. Bee sting reactions can quickly become life-threatening, so having the EpiPen readily available could truly save your life if needed. Don't take the risk of leaving it behind.
- In the days following a bee sting, keep watch over the area. Call your doctor promptly if you notice increasing redness, warmth, or pus, which could signal that infection is setting in.
- If stung on the hand or foot, take off any rings or shoes right away before swelling starts. This prevents circulation issues or discomfort from the sting site becoming constricted.
- After getting stung by a bee, immediately head inside and wash the area thoroughly with mild soap and water. This helps prevent a bacterial infection from developing in the wound.
- Wrap an ice pack or folded cold, wet cloth in a towel and apply to the sting site to reduce pain and swelling. Never put bare ice directly on skin as it could damage tissue.
Warnings
- Watch for signs that redness or swelling is spreading, which could indicate an infection. While infected bee stings are rare, if it does get infected you'll need a round of antibiotics to clear it up.[14]Thanks
References
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/bug-bites.html
- ↑ https://www.samhealth.org/about-samaritan/news-search/2019/08/13/ease-the-pain-of-bee-stings
- ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/allergies-to-bites-and-stings
- ↑ https://www.merckmanuals.com/en-ca/home/news/editorial/2018/05/15/14/05/bee-stings
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/bites/treat-bee-sting
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/insect-stings
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/bites/treat-bee-sting
- ↑ https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/treat-bee-sting.html
- ↑ https://www.samhealth.org/about-samaritan/news-search/2019/08/13/ease-the-pain-of-bee-stings
- ↑ https://www.merckmanuals.com/en-ca/home/news/editorial/2018/05/15/14/05/bee-stings
- ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/bites-and-stings-first-aid
- ↑ https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/treat-bee-sting.html
- ↑ https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/treat-bee-sting.html
- ↑ https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/treat-bee-sting.html
About This Article
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
If you’ve been stung by a bee, remove the stinger as soon as you can, either by grabbing it with your fingernails or scraping it out with a credit card. Wash the affected area with soap and cold water to clean it and ease the pain. If you notice that you are having difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue, or face, dizziness, hives, or nausea, call for emergency services, as you may be having an allergic reaction. Take an antihistamine to try to slow down the reaction, but be sure to tell the response team which medication you took when they arrive. To learn home remedies, such as using toothpaste or honey, keep reading the article!
Reader Success Stories
"The baking soda & ice helped, but during the middle of the night the itching was bad & I scratched it repeatedly. Hours later obvious redness & swelling occurred & spread. I resumed the baking soda & ice & added Cort-Aide. It helps - hoping no M.D. appointment."..." more
Did this article help you?
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.
- - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
- - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
- - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
- - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.
