What do you treat wasp and bee stings with?

Question

I know one is vinegar and the other is bicarb but I can't remember which way round it is

Answer 1

It does matter which you use for which.

Wasps stings are alkaline, so you need to neutralise it with vinegar, which is acidic.

Bee stings are acidic, so you need to neutralise it with bicarb, which is alkaline.

That's the theory, anyway. It probably doesn't work, for a number of reasons.

Answer 2

OK, first if it is a bee sting do not use tweezers. You will squeeze more poison into your body if you do this. Use your fingernail or a knife or credit card and flick it off bottom to top to pull it out. If it is a wasp there will be no stinger because it has no barb on it like a Honey Bee will. Other stinging insects are not bees, even Yellow Jackets are all Wasp. With all of these sting the best thing that I have found to work and it does a wonderful job on me and I am allergic to stings is NOSE SPRAY that you use when you have a stopped up nose. It shrinks the swelling just like in your nose and then I just go about my day. But rub it in and keep some on it for a day or so.

Answer 3

Depends on what the sting material is made of. For example, many ants use formic acid as their "sting fluid" so by adding a weak base (ammonia) that could help neutralize the toxin. On the other hand, bee stins and wasp stings may contain other components (enzymes, acids, or bases) so I'm not sure if they would work or not, it just depends on what materials are in the sting liquid.

Answer 4

On the vinegar/baking soda, I think either is recommended for either- don't know that it makes a difference.

Use a long fingernail, tweezers, or credit card to get the stinger out, but don't use your fingers and be careful- the tiny sac that has the poison is generally still attached from bees (that's why they can only sting once- they die), and you could squeeze more poison into yourself if you didn't get it carefully.

Now to prevent infection, use a bit of antibiotic on it- now use a tiny bit of Oragel. It numbs it immediately!

If you don't have any, throat spray and anti-itch creams have similar numbing qualities. If you don't have anything else, a paste of baking soda and water works a bit, as it's a base compound and this neutralizes the poison, but it's slower and not as effective as numbing the area.

Answer 5

Another one, sounds odd though, is holding a penny up to it. Not sure why it works but it does. Also make sure you take the stinger out... bee stings aren't as bad as wasp... if you may be allergic a wasp sting is worse so I would keep an eye on it

Answer 6

Always scrape the stinger out. You're better off leaving it in for a couple of minutes than pulling it out.

Although pennies and mud may work, but they are full of germs. I know at least three people who have had their stings infected because they used contaminated things to "help" it.

My personal preference is those sting relief swabs. They cleanse, disinfect, and take the sting right away. Plop a bandaid on it, and some Neosporin if you want, and you're good to go.

Answer 7

I treat my wasp and bee sting by taking a Benedryl and I also Ice it. I am allergic to them and thats what I have been told to do by the Doctor.

Answer 8

Pull out the stinger, put on a hot compress and draw out the poison. If you are allergic go to the doctor or hospital. Use a hydrocortisone cream to reduce itching after drawing out the poison.

Answer 9

1Step OneRemove the stinger as soon as possible. Use your fingers, tweezers - whatever works best.
2Step TwoWash the site with soap and water, or clean it with alcohol.
3Step ThreePut ice or a cool, wet compress on the inflamed area.
4Step FourSoothe the inflammation with a paste made from baking soda and water. Apply calamine lotion to help relieve itching and pain.

Answer 10

My mom taught me that putting mud on it will work. It dries out the skin and along with it pulls the stuff from the stinger out also. and the minerals in the mud help to heal it. try it and let me know how it works.