How to Avoid and Treat Bee Stings

Summertime sees many types of insects joining us in the great outdoors. Some of these insects defend themselves using a poisonous bite or sting. Of all the insects which use this defense mechanism, the ones most likely to have a bite or sting which is harmful to humans are honey bees, bumble bees, Africanized bees, paper wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and fire ants. Many of the species live colonies, so if one stings you in defense, you run the risk of being stung by many. While, for most people, one sting can be painful it is usually not life-threatening. However, multiple stings can quickly become a medical emergency even for healthy individuals.

Most bees, with the exception of Africanized bees, are not known for being aggressive. Because bees die when they sting, stinging is usually a last act of defense for the bee. If you are stung by a bee, chances are the bee will leave its stinger in your skin. The stinger has a venom sac in the end, which will "pump" venom even after the body of the bee is gone. To avoid pushing more venom out of the sac and down the stinger into the skin, use something with a flat edge (such as a credit card) to gently push the stinger off. (If it helps, think of the motions used to shave off a beard - that is the motion to use with the credit card to remove the stinger.) Using a tweezers or your fingers to pull out the stinger, means you run the risk of squeezing the tiny sac and pumping out more venom.

Once the stinger is out, you will probably notice immediate pain and redness near the sting site. Itching may follow soon after. Over the next 12-36 hours the area surrounding the sting site, possibly over 6 inches across, may swell and itch.

You can reduce the swelling following a bee sting, by applying ice to the site. (Do not apply the ice directly to the skin - put a cloth between the skin and the ice.) You may want to consider taking an antihistamine to help with the itching and ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain. The sting site should be kept clean by washing with soap and water.