references
  
      The Journal of Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease: "Honey is potentially effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: Clinical and mechanistic studies"
    
      Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products: "Evidence for Clinical Use of Honey in Wound Healing as an Anti-bacterial, Anti-inflammatory Anti-oxidant and Anti-viral Agent: A Review"
    
      Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences: "The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review."
    
      National Capital Poison Center: "Bee Stings: Is It an Allergic Reaction?"
    
      American Academy of Dermatology: "How to Treat a Bee Sting"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Bee Sting"

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

A baking soda paste is one of the simplest natural things you can put on bee stings.

Image Credit: Marcus Chung /E+/GettyImages

Image Credit: Marcus Chung /E+/GettyImages

  • Baking Soda
  • Ice
  • Meat Tenderizer
  • Aloe Vera Gel
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Toothpaste
  • Manuka Honey
  • Apis Mellifica
  • Certain Herbs
  • OTC Meds

The first thing you need to do to treat a bee sting is to make sure the stinger is removed. “You can use a credit card or the blunt edge of a knife to scrape out the stinger,” says Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, MD, a pediatrician and consultant for Mom Loves Best. “The stinger will look like a black dot in the middle of the sting. It is important to remove the stinger as soon as possible, as the stinger can still deliver venom for several minutes after the sting.” Afterward, make sure to wash the area well with soap and water.

“You can use a credit card or the blunt edge of a knife to scrape out the stinger,” says Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, MD, a pediatrician and consultant for Mom Loves Best. “The stinger will look like a black dot in the middle of the sting. It is important to remove the stinger as soon as possible, as the stinger can still deliver venom for several minutes after the sting.”

Afterward, make sure to wash the area well with soap and water.

If you have any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction after a bee sting, get medical help right away:

Difficulty breathing Throat or tongue swelling A weak, fast pulse Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting Feeling dizzy or fainting Loss of consciousness Hives Flushed or pale skin

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Throat or tongue swelling

  • A weak, fast pulse

  • Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting

  • Feeling dizzy or fainting

  • Loss of consciousness

  • Hives

  • Flushed or pale skin

    In most cases, ice is an effective treatment for swelling from a bee sting. Image Credit: AndreyPopov/iStock/GettyImages

Image Credit: AndreyPopov/iStock/GettyImages

9 Ways to Actually Stop Mosquito Bites From Itching

Aloe vera gel may be the best thing to put on a bee sting if it's itchy.

Image Credit: mescioglu/iStock/GettyImages

Image Credit: mescioglu/iStock/GettyImages

The 13 Best Natural Remedies for Bug Bites, According to a Doctor

If you don't have anything else on hand, try a squirt of toothpaste on your bee sting.

Image Credit: artisteer/iStock/GettyImages

Image Credit: artisteer/iStock/GettyImages

Apis Mellifica is made from honeybees.

Image Credit: undefined undefined/iStock/GettyImages

Image Credit: undefined undefined/iStock/GettyImages

If finding the herbs sounds like too much work, you should know that arrowroot can be found as a powder, and the others are available as oils. You can find them in local supermarkets or health food stores, or online.

If nothing else works, your medicine cabinet may hold the answer.

Image Credit: Grace Cary/Moment/GettyImages

Image Credit: Grace Cary/Moment/GettyImages

      The Journal of Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease: "Honey is potentially effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: Clinical and mechanistic studies"
    
      Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products: "Evidence for Clinical Use of Honey in Wound Healing as an Anti-bacterial, Anti-inflammatory Anti-oxidant and Anti-viral Agent: A Review"
    
      Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences: "The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review."
    
      National Capital Poison Center: "Bee Stings: Is It an Allergic Reaction?"
    
      American Academy of Dermatology: "How to Treat a Bee Sting"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Bee Sting"