Bee Sting Treatments and Home Remedies

A bee sting can hurt and often times home treatments can ease the pain, but if you’re allergic to bee stings or you get stung numerous times, you may have a more-serious reaction that requires emergency treatment.

Emergency Treatment for Allergic Reactions to a Bee Sting

Allergic reactions to bee stings are typically more severe in adults than in children. During an anaphylactic attack, your doctor or urgent care may perform CPR if you stop breathing or your heart stops. You may also be given medications Epinephrine to reduce your body’s allergic response. Oxygen will help you breathe better and Intravenous antihistamines and cortisone will reduce inflammation of your air passages and improve breathing.

If you’re allergic to bee stings, your doctor is likely to prescribe an EpiPen (emergency epinephrine auto injector). You will need to have the EpiPen with you at all times. An auto injector injects a single dose of medication when pressed against your thigh. Be sure you know how to use the auto injector. Make sure the people closest to you know how to administer the medication. It could save your life.
Bee stings are a common cause of anaphylaxis. If you’ve had a serious reaction to a bee sting, your doctor likely will refer you to an allergist for allergy tests. Allergy shots can reduce your allergic response to bee venom.

Home Remedies for a Bee Sting

Remove the stinger as soon as you can with your fingernails or a tweezer. It takes seconds for the venom to enter your body. After you remove the stinger, wash the area with soap and water, then apply a cold compress.You may want to take an over-the-counter pain to help ease discomfort. You can apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to ease redness, itching or swelling. If itching or swelling is bothersome, take an oral antihistamine that contains diphenhydramine (Benadryl).

How to Avoid Bee Stings

• Be careful when drinking sweet beverages outside. Inspect beverage cans before drinking from them.
• Tightly cover food containers and trash cans.
• Wear close-toed shoes when walking outside.
• Don’t wear bright colors or floral prints, they can attract bees.
• Be careful when mowing the lawn, this can arouse bees and wasps.

About LaGrange Medical Center and Urgent Care

LaGrange Medical Center and Urgent Care has health care providers on-site to assist with your medical needs. They are located at 6170 Joliet Road in Countryside, Illinois. The Urgent Care is open 6 days a week – Monday through Saturday. Call 708-352-0330 for an appointment.