Bee's

It's bound to happen sooner or later; we will be stung. First thing to do is locate the stinger. The hind end is usually still attached and this contains a sac that holds venom. This sac is still pumping venom into your skin. The stinger which is black in color, located in the center of the red sting on your skin, it's best to remove the stinger by scraping, or flicking it off with a credit card, or your fingernail, carefully but, quickly, don't use tweezers, or fingernail clippers, to remove the bee's stinger because squeezing the stinger might release more venom into the stung person. Wash the sting with soap and water before applying any remedy. This will help to keep out bacteria that could cause and infection.then quickly place an ice pack on the sting for at least 15 minutes(this is important!) to help minimize swelling and inflammation, don't scratch the sting because you can increase the risk of infection and swelling.


How Do I Know If I Am Allergic?
Some people are allergic to the bee's venom, which in this case the person may experience;
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Abdominal Pain
Nausea
Itching (hives)

What Do I DO?
A remedy that works for one may not work so much for someone else, here are some of the better remedies.

1.  Baking Soda and Water – This one seems to have been around forever, but it’s a favorite. Mix the baking soda and water to form a thick paste then slather it onto the skin. Don’t wash it off.
This will help reduce pain and help draw out the venom by dabbing it on the skin, letting it sit and dry and then rinsing it off.

2. You can apply some cortisone onto the skin instead, to help reduce the affects of any of the venom. You can even take an "over-the-counter antihistamines such as Benadryl" Acetaminophen or ibuprofen (which can be used for pain). Most symptoms should resolve within 24 hours." As always with any medication be sure that you are not allergic before taking it, be sure to ask a doctor about taking medication if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

3. Garlic Clove – This one is quite popular and is touted as one of the best for the pain of a sting. Crush a garlic clove to release the garlic juices and press it against the sting.

4. Lavender Essential Oils – Just a drop on the sting site is all you need. The essential oils in the lavender are supposed to neutralize the venom immediately.


5. Peanut Butter – This was a new one for me. Again, people everywhere seem to find it effective. I’m anxious to try it, I mean, I am; but I’m not, you know?

6. Plantain (Plantago spp.) – Plantain is a common weed that apparently have medicinal properties when it comes to bee stings. Planting certain cultivars as ornamentals will ensure you have this on hand in case.... P. major ‘Rubrifolia’ has purple foliage and P. major ‘Rosularis’ has green bracts (leaves) that look like green roses. Use plantain for stings by chewing some of the leaves to release its juices or firmly roll it between your thumb and fingers. Press leaves against sting.

7. Calendula (Calendula officinalis) Flowers – Prepare flowers by crushing enough of them to get a good juice content and apply to sting.

8. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) Leaves – Prepare the leaves the same way as plantain.

9. Basil – Crushed basil leaves is said to be extremely affective for pain caused by stings.

10. Onion – Cut an onion in half and press the cut side into the sting.

11. Honey – Pour some honey on the affected site.

12. Parsley – crush quite a bit of parsley to get some juice to try this one.

13. Apis Mellifica - is a homeopathic remedy that's made from whole bees that's suppose to work wonders on stings from all kinds of critters including fire ants. There are different potencies and dosages so if you purchase some, follow the directions on the label.

Most of these remedies require crushing or mixing ingredients,investing in a mortar and pestle (marble, stone or wooden bowl with a club like tool used for crushing) will help make this task easier.

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