A bee sting can result in a swollen, painful bump. There are home remedies that may help reduce swelling and ease pain.
Before using any remedies, stay calm and inspect the sting site. If the bee’s stinger is still in the skin, remove it by wiping the area with gauze or scraping it with a fingernail. Do not squeeze the stinger by hand or with tweezers. Wash the skin afterward.
Honey bees can only sting once, because they leave their stingers behind them. Removing the stinger and its venom sac from the skin will prevent further irritation.
Below, we describe home remedies that relieve swelling and pain caused by bee stings and explore related research.
Immediately after a bee sting, wash the area thoroughly to remove any remaining bee venom.
Then, apply ice to reduce pain and swelling:
- Wrap an ice pack, or a bag of ice, or frozen vegetables in a cloth.
- Place the bundle against the site of the sting.
- Hold the bundle in place for several minutes.
- Repeat as needed.
Always use a cloth to protect the skin from the ice. Ice can damage the skin if it touches it directly.
A number of essential oils have antiseptic, antibacterial, or antifungal properties.
Though essential oils have long been used in home remedies, there is little high quality evidence to suggest that any can relieve the pain or swelling of a bee sting.
The following oils are often used in home remedies:
- tea tree oil
- witch hazel
- lavender oil
- thyme oil
- rosemary oil
Before applying essential oil to the skin, mix it with a neutral carrier oil, such as olive oil. Typically, the mixture is about one drop of essential oil for every four or five drops of the carrier oil.
It is important to note that essential oils can cause allergic reactions.
Aloe vera is a plant-based gel that naturally soothes and moisturizes the skin. According to a 2021 review, people have been using aloe vera for many years on the skin to help various conditions due to anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Spreading a little gel onto the bee sting can reduce swelling and help prevent the site from becoming infected.
Aloe vera gel is available to buy in many drug stores and online.
People often use calamine lotion to relieve itchy skin, and it may also help reduce pain and itching caused by a sting from a bee or wasp.
If the site of the sting becomes itchy, try rubbing on a little calamine lotion. It is available for purchase in health stores or online.
Honey has many medicinal properties. It contains compounds that combat inflammation, so it may help reduce swelling.
The natural antibacterial agents in honey may also help prevent infection and speed healing. For these reasons, some medical professionals use honey extracts in wound dressings.
Try spreading a small amount of honey onto the sting. Do this indoors, so the smell of the honey does not attract more bees.
Some people believe that baking soda neutralizes bee venom. However, no high quality research suggests that baking soda can help relieve discomfort from a bee sting.
Baking soda can also damage the skin because it is very alkaline, so medical professionals tend not to recommend this remedy.
Some people claim that apple cider vinegar can help reduce the swelling of a bee sting.
However, clinical research has yet to show that apple cider vinegar can have a positive effect on stings specifically. However, some research in other areas has noted the antimicrobial and
Also, as an acidic substance, it can harm the skin if used incorrectly.
One unconventional home remedy involves spreading alkaline toothpaste on the site of the sting to neutralize the venom.
There is no clinical research to support this use of toothpaste.
To try it, spread a small amount of toothpaste onto the sting site, but proceed with caution. The skin may react to the toothpaste, especially if it is left on for longer periods.
At any sign of a reaction, rinse off the toothpaste right away.
People can usually manage their bee sting symptoms using over-the-counter creams and oral medications, including:
- hydrocortisone creams, which can help reduce redness, itching, swelling, and pain
- oral antihistamines, which can help reduce itching and redness
- pain relievers and anti-inflammatories, which can reduce pain and swelling
Treatment for severe allergic reactions
If a person experiences a severe allergic reaction, they may require an immediate epinephrine injection to counteract life-threatening symptoms called anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening reaction that requires medical attention. The injection is commonly administered using an EpiPen, a prefilled, auto-injector designed for ease of use.
EpiPens should be readily available in locations where individuals with severe allergies frequent, such as schools, workplaces, and public venues. Those at risk should carry one at all times, ensuring it is stored in a cool, dry place and replaced before its expiration date.
Epinephrine works by narrowing blood vessels and opening airways in the lungs, helping the body increase blood flow and relax muscles to stabilize breathing and blood pressure. This rapid intervention can be critical in preventing anaphylaxis from escalating.
If someone is known to have severe allergies, it’s essential that their family, friends, and colleagues are aware of where their EpiPen is kept and trained on how to administer it in an emergency. Always call emergency services after using an EpiPen, as additional medical treatment may be required.
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If a person has an allergic reaction to a bee sting, they may develop anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening reaction that requires medical attention.
A person who has any of the
A person may also require medical attention if they have been stung multiple times.
Honey bees are the only stinging insects that leave their stingers behind. Others stinging insects, such as yellow jackets, wasps, and hornets, can sting multiple times. Each sting contains venom.
Ice, other home remedies, and over-the-counter medications are usually able to relieve discomfort from bee stings. Some alternative home remedies include honey, aloe vera, and calamine lotion.
Still, it is important to be able to identify signs of a severe allergic reaction. If hives, lightheadedness, or trouble breathing follow a bee sting, a person should receive emergency medical care.
The pain and swelling around the site of a sting will usually go away in a few days without treatment. In the meantime, home remedies can reduce discomfort and speed the healing process.