Did You Get Stung By A Bee? Try These
If you have a garden in your home or anywhere you frequent, it is possible that you have bees in those gardens, and one day while you tend to those gardens, you may get stung. If you have never been stung by a bee, have you asked yourself what you would do to eliminate the pain and swelling associated with bee stings? This is why you need to have the natural remedies that are listed in the other parts of this article in your home or around you.
Bee stings can be quite painful, and one thing that makes this sting distinct from the sting of other insects is that it leaves its stinger on your skin. This stinger continues to release venom into your skin and cause you more pain. Thus, the first thing to do when you get stung by a bee is to get rid of the stinger from your skin to reduce the pain and inflammation. Then you should go ahead and wash the affected part of your skin with mild soap and running water to get rid of any bacteria that may want to gain access into the affected area of your skin. Having done these, you should then consider one of the natural bee stings remedies.
Traditional Remedies for Bee Sting
Although there are different natural remedies for bee stings, some of them have been discovered to take longer to get rid of the pain and swelling associated with the sting. However, compiled within this article is a list of natural remedies that are effective and swift in getting rid of the swelling and pain that come with bee stings. All you need to do is have one of these natural remedies handy and apply them as soon as you remove the stinger and wash the wounded area with soap and water. If you happen not to have them at home, you can get them from stores or shops and keep them in your house.
People who have been stung by bees know the symptoms of the sting, thus if you have never been stung by a bee, these are the symptoms you should look out for;
Symptoms of Bee Sting
- Swelling and inflammation
- Redness of the spot
- Itching of the sting site
- The warmth of the site
Although, the toxin from bee stings cannot kill you. However, studies have shown that the toxins from bee stings can cause allergies in some people and may even lead to complications of these allergies. Some of the allergic reactions associated with bee stings include;
Bee Sting Allergies
- Severe inflammation and redness of the skin
- Diarrhea
- Severe itchiness
- Pale skin
- High pulse rate
- Dizziness
- Loss of consciousness
- Nausea
- If you experience any of these symptoms after any bee sting, you should rush to the hospital to prevent complications. Meanwhile, you could still use any of the natural remedies listed below as first aid.
Natural Remedies for Bee Stings
Honey
Does it sound counterintuitive to you that honey which is produced by bees can be used to treat bee stings? After getting one sting from a honey bee, would you still want anything associated with bees and what they produce around you? Well, just before you begin to hate bees and everything about them, the treatment to the sting you just had is their honey.
Honey is a natural wonder that has proven to be effective in treating different health conditions both within and outside the body. It is mostly used on the skin to get rid of several skin conditions and scars.
Studies have shown that applying honey on the bee sting site can help neutralize the toxin that has been released into the body by the bee stinger. This can also help reduce the pain associated with the sting.
In addition to this, honey is packed with natural properties like amino acids that help speed up the healing process of the bee sting. All you need to do is dab honey into the affected area of your skin with a ball of cotton wool after you must have removed the stinger and washed the area of the sting. Also, ensure that you buy real honey and 100% natural honey.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has numerous health benefits and can greatly boost human health. Like honey, apple cider vinegar is packed with natural properties and compounds that can help eliminate the agonizing pain associated with a bee sting. It does this by neutralizing the toxins that the honey must have injected into your skin. All you need to do is, apply some apple cider vinegar to the location of the sting and watch the pain disappear.
Ensure that whichever brand of apple cider vinegar you are getting is original and has no artificial or unnecessary additives that may worsen your condition. Check the labels to be sure. If, after applying apple cider vinegar to your bee sting and the pain and inflammation do not subside after about an hour, you should go get an over-the-counter medication.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal has been a source of natural and home treatment for different health conditions. It is an effective remedy for drawing out poisons and toxins from the body, making it a perfect choice for getting rid of the toxins from bees. Using activated charcoal for your bee sting is quite simple. All you need to do is, since activated charcoal is usually powdered, you should mix it with either oil or water to make a thick paste out of it. Having done this, you can slap some of the activated charcoal paste to the affected area of your skin and leave it for up to 30 minutes. Within 15-30 minutes, the bee toxins would be completely gotten rid of. By then, the pain, swelling, and inflammation will reduce.
Activated charcoal is sold in many stores and pharmacies across the globe. All you need to do is ensure you buy the best brand that promises 100% naturalness with no unnecessary additives. You can read the label of the activated charcoal to know more.
Witch Hazel Bark and Leaves
The bark and leaves of the witch hazel plant have also proven to be an effective remedy for different skin conditions and have been in use since time immemorial. It has been tested on different people and has finally been proven effective for bee stings and pain. However, unlike the above-mentioned natural remedies that help eliminate, neutralize or draw out bee sting toxins, witch hazel bark only reduces the pain, inflammation, and irritation associated with the sting.
Thus, you should consider using honey or activated charcoal to neutralize or draw out the bee toxins and then apply crushed witch hazel leaves and bark directly to the affected skin area. Leave this natural remedy to sit on your skin for up to 15 minutes and watch the pain and irritation fade. You can have this plant in your grade for this purpose.
Garlic
Garlic is used more often than not as a kitchen spice than it is used for medicinal purposes. Chewing raw garlic or adding it to your meals adds numerous benefits that you can ever imagine to your health. In this case of a bee sting, crushing some garlic cloves and applying them directly to the area of the sting can help neutralize the toxin and reduce the pain and inflammation associated with a bee sting. Although this may hurt a bit, ensure that you hold the garlic paste to the bite area.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has many medicinal uses; most people use it as their major skin and hair care routine. Cooking with this natural oil can also help improve your general health and well-being. Coconut oil is one of the first oils to consider in bee sting cases. You can mix it in activated charcoal and apply it to the affected skin area, or you can apply it alone. If you do the former, it will draw out the toxin and reduce the skin’s irritation and inflammation. If you do the latter, it will only reduce the inflammation associated with the sting.
Since coconut oil in itself can neither neutralize nor draw out bee toxins, you should always mix it with other natural remedies that can. So that while they neutralize or draw out the toxins, on the one hand, it calms the skin irritation and inflammation on the other hand.
Conclusion
Bee sting pain can be agonizing, but having these natural remedies handy will help you overcome it.