Effective First Aid for Insect Stings: A Comprehensive Guide

How to take the bite out of a bee or wasp sting.

Instructions

• 1

  If you are attacked by bees or wasps, remove the stinger by scraping it out with a finger nail, nail file, knife, or the edge of a credit card. Make sure you get under the stinger and pop it out. Do not use tweezers as this may push more poison into your skin.

• 2

  Wash the wound area well with warm, soapy water and apply peroxide or alcohol.

• 3

  Ice packs can help reduce swelling from a sting. The heat from a hair dryer or heating pad can help reduce inflammation. Apply moistened, crushed aspirin paste to the sting site. Applying the ammonia household cleaner to the wound may help with pain. Or try McCormick's Meat Tenderizer, but you must use this immediately after being stung for it to work.

• 4

  Take an over-the-counter antihistamine. If you know you are allergic to bee or wasp stings, or if you experience symptoms of anaphylactic shock (itching, swelling of the face, throat and eyes, dizziness, nausea, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, reddish rash, cramping or numbness), go to the emergency room immediately.