How to Remove Bee Stings

Being stung by a bee is inherently painful, but if unfortunately the bee leaves a stinger in your skin, it will hurt a lot more. Since the stinger releases venom, it’s important to get it out quickly. After removing the stinger, you can treat the symptoms of a local sting reaction. If you experience severe allergic symptoms, you need to quickly go to a medical facility for treatment.

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Remove bee stings

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Call 911 if you have severe allergic symptoms. If you have a history of severe allergic reactions to bee stings and have an epinephrine syringe, also known as an EpiPen, on hand, use it immediately. ^{[1] X Research Source} If you have any of the following symptoms, call 911 immediately ^{[2] X Research Source} :

Dizziness or lightheadedness
Shortness of breath
Tongue swelling
Rash

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Use a flat edge to scrape the stinger out. You can use the edge of a credit card, your fingernail, or a dull blade to scratch the top of the stinger. The bee stinger looks like a small black dot. ^{[3] X Research Source} Such scratching will help pull the stinger out or push it aside.

When you scratch the top of the bee sting, you also prevent more venom from the venom sac from being released into the bee sting. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Use tweezers to pull the stinger out. If you don’t want to scratch the stinger out, use sharp tweezers or your fingernails to carefully pull the stinger out. Be careful not to squeeze the exposed tip of the stinger to avoid more venom being released into the skin. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Some people believe that tweezers should not be used because this can cause more venom to be released into the skin. However, if you remove the stinger quickly, the amount of venom released is also negligible. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

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Apply an ice pack. The site of the bee sting will become hot and begin to swell. Applying ice will help reduce pain and limit swelling. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

If you have been stung by a bee on your lower leg or arm, raise them up. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Treatment of bee stings

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Apply hydrocortisone cream. Gently wash the sting with mild soap and water, then apply a thin layer of hydrocortisone cream to soothe the reaction.

For a more natural treatment, you can mix baking soda with water until it forms a creamy paste. Apply this cream on the bee sting. ^{[9] X Research Source}

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Use honey. If hydrocortisone cream is not available, you can apply raw honey to the sting site. Cover the burned area with gauze or a small piece of cloth and leave it on for at most an hour, then rinse. ^{[10] X Research Source}

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Use toothpaste. Toothpaste is another natural remedy that can be used to neutralize bee venom. You just need to dab a little toothpaste on the bee sting, cover with gauze or a small piece of cloth, leave for about 20 to 30 minutes and rinse. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen. These medications will help relieve the pain. Be sure to follow the instructions in the box to ensure the correct dose.

For children, you should consult your pediatrician for the right dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

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Take an antihistamine. This medicine may help relieve severe allergy symptoms. You can take something like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) or apply calamine cream to relieve itching. ^{[12] X Research Source}

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Remove bee stings

Treatment of bee stings

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