How do you treat a bee sting?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
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
- Scrape, do not pinch, the stinger: sideways with a nail or card edge, quickly.
- Cold pack and elevation first: 10 to 20 minutes controls the swelling curve.
- Use antihistamine for itch, pain reliever for pain: most stings settle in days.
- Call an ambulance for anaphylaxis signs: face or throat swelling, breathing trouble, faintness.
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