Scrape the stinger out sideways fast - bees leave it pumping venom - then wash with soap and water and cold-compress for 10 to 20 minutes.
Do not pinch the stinger out; scraping avoids squeezing more venom in. Afterward: an oral antihistamine for itch and swelling, acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain, and hydrocortisone cream or calamine for the local reaction. A painful lump settling over days - even a whole swollen forearm - is normal. The emergency is anaphylaxis: face, lip, tongue, or throat swelling, spreading hives, wheeze or breathing trouble, dizziness, vomiting, or faintness - call an ambulance and use an epinephrine auto-injector if prescribed. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, and can help you judge the reaction.
What to do
Common questions
How do you treat a bee sting?
First, get the stinger out fast - bees leave it pumping venom, and speed matters more than method; scrape it sideways with a fingernail or card edge rather than pinching it, which can squeeze more venom in. Then wash the area with soap and water, apply a cold pack or cloth-wrapped ice for 10 to 20 minutes to control swelling, and raise the limb if a hand or foot was stung. For the next day or two: an oral antihistamine helps itching and swelling, acetaminophen or ibuprofen helps pain, and a hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion calms the local reaction. Normal is a painful swollen lump that settles over a few days; large local swelling (a whole forearm) is common and still not an emergency. The emergency is anaphylaxis: swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, hives spreading beyond the sting site, wheezing or breathing trouble, dizziness, vomiting, or feeling faint - call an ambulance immediately and use an epinephrine auto-injector if one is prescribed. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, that can help you judge the reaction in real time.