Health Tip: Dealing With a Bee Sting

On: June 26, 2015

(HealthDay News) — Most bee stings involve less-than-severe allergic reactions that don’t require emergency medical care.

To treat most bee stings, the Mayo Clinic advises:

Use tweezers to remove the stinger from the skin as quickly as you can. The faster it’s removed, the less venom is likely to enter the body.
Use soap and water to gently cleanse the area.
Sooth swelling and pain with a cold compress or ice pack.
If the area is swollen, itchy or red, apply calamine lotion.
Take an antihistamine containing diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine if the itching or swelling is uncomfortable.
Don’t scratch the affected area. Doing so can lead to an infection.