Getting stung by a bee or wasp is always a nasty surprise. What you do right after can really help with the pain and might keep the venom from spreading more.
If you know it’s a honeybee sting, get the stinger out as fast as you can. The longer it stays, the more venom it pumps into your skin.
Once you’ve pulled out the stinger, wash the spot well. Put something cold on it to help with swelling and pain.
If you’ve had bad reactions before, keep an eye out for any signs of allergy. Acting fast after a bee or wasp sting can make you feel a lot better later.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Bee Sting
Right after a bee or wasp sting, you want to move quickly. Focus on easing pain, keeping swelling down, and stopping more venom from getting in.
Remove the stinger (don’t squeeze!), clean the area, cool it down, and keep an eye out for serious symptoms.
Remove the Stinger Safely
Grab a flat edge, like a credit card, and scrape the stinger out fast. Honeybees leave their stingers behind, and those things just keep pumping venom.
Try not to use tweezers or pinch the stinger—you could push in more venom that way.
Do this as soon as possible. The faster you get it out, the less it’ll hurt later.
Once it’s gone, try not to poke or rub the spot.
Clean the Affected Area
Wash the sting site gently with soap and cool water. This gets rid of dirt and bacteria, so you’re less likely to get an infection.
Use a mild soap and rinse it well.
Don’t scratch or rub the sting. Just pat it dry with a clean towel.
If you’ve got some antibiotic cream, you can put a little on. That helps keep things clean while it heals.
Apply a Cold Compress
Grab a cold pack or wrap some ice cubes in a cloth and put it on the sting. This helps with swelling and numbs the pain a bit.
Do it for about 10 minutes, then take a break for 10 minutes. Keep going like this for a few hours if you need to.
Don’t put ice straight on your skin—always wrap it up. You don’t want frostbite.
If it’s really hurting, you can take something like ibuprofen.
Monitor for Severe Allergic Reactions
Pay close attention to how your body feels after the sting. Some people get a serious reaction, and it can happen fast.
Watch for things like:
- Trouble breathing or wheezing
- Swelling in your face, lips, or throat
- Feeling dizzy or faint
- A racing heart or feeling sick
If you know you’re allergic, use your epinephrine auto-injector right away. Call emergency services after.
Even if you’ve never had a reaction before, get medical help if any of these symptoms show up. Don’t wait—early treatment can be life-saving.
You can read more about what to do after a sting in this immediate steps to take after a bee sting guide.
Home Remedies and Symptom Management
After a bee sting, most people just want the pain, swelling, and itching to stop. There are plenty of simple things you can try at home.
Unless you’re having a serious reaction, you probably don’t need to see a doctor.
Ease Pain and Swelling
Get the stinger out if it’s still there. Use a credit card or something similar to scrape it away gently.
Don’t squeeze it, or you might push in more venom.
Put a cold pack or ice wrapped in a cloth on the sting. That brings down swelling and numbs the pain.
Hold the ice there for 10 or 15 minutes every hour if you need to.
If you can, keep the sting area raised. That helps with swelling, too.
Wash the spot with soap and water to keep it clean.
Baking Soda Paste and Other Soothing Treatments
A lot of people like using a baking soda paste for bee stings. Just mix some baking soda with a little water until it makes a thick paste, then spread it on the sting.
It might help calm the itching and neutralize some of the venom.
You could also try aloe vera gel or a cold, wet cloth. Both can feel soothing on irritated skin.
Oatmeal baths or calamine lotion are other options if you’re really itchy.
Skip strong creams or anything with a heavy scent—they could make your skin feel worse.
Take Over-the-Counter Medications
You can grab some over-the-counter meds to help with pain and itching from a bee or wasp sting. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen usually work well for pain and can bring down swelling.
If the itching is driving you nuts, try an oral antihistamine like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or loratadine. You could also dab on some hydrocortisone cream or a topical antihistamine to calm the rash.
Always check the instructions on the package first. If you have allergies or certain health issues, it’s best to skip these meds.
