Summer Bee Sting Hacks

During the summer months more people are outside and your risk of getting stung by a bee increases. What should you do if you are stung by a bee?

Here are a few tips from Menshealth.com:

• Remove the stinger as soon as possible. 90% of a honey bee's venom is delivered in the first 20 seconds. Removing the stinger quickly, reduced the amount of venom that is in your system. To do this you can use the side of a credit card, tweezers, even your finger nail. Be gentle, you want to get the stinger out, but not get more venom into your system.
• Wash the site of the sting. Yes, this sounds pretty basic, but since you now have a break in your skin you are opening yourself up to infection. Washing will help to reduce infection risk and remove any remaining bee venom.
• Apply a cold compress or an ice pack to reduce swelling and inflammation.
• Their last recommendation is to apply an over the counter hydro-cortisone cream to further limit itching, swelling and infection.

If you are allergic to bee stings, the above information is not for you. Get to the nearest emergency room or health car provider immediately.