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It is impossible to completely protect yourself from a bee sting. Therefore, it is important to know what measures to take in the event of an insect attack. A bee sting causes significant discomfort and can provoke an allergic reaction. But it is not necessary to immediately consult a doctor. Emergency assistance can be provided without leaving home.
How does the human body react to a bee sting?
Bees attack people only if they feel threatened by him. An insect can only bite once in a lifetime, as its sting remains under the skin. After that, the bee dies. Bee venom (apitoxin) is considered a toxic substance. When it enters the human blood, symptoms of poisoning and local irritation appear. This is triggered by the body’s defense mechanism. The following signs are considered a natural reaction to a bite:
- swelling of the skin;
- itching;
- redness around the damaged skin;
- pain syndrome.
Symptoms of a bite persist on average for 5 days. When using alternative medicine, recovery is faster. In this case, the swelling subsides the very next day.
There is also a positive effect of a bee sting on the human body. Apitoxin stimulates the work of all life support systems. This leads to strengthening of the immune system, which is especially important for the transfer of viral and infectious diseases. Getting into the blood, the poison mobilizes forces and has a thinning effect on the blood. In some cases, this is beneficial to health, in others it provokes undesirable consequences.
Folk remedies for a bee sting
If a person is stung by a bee, the consequences can be eliminated at home. For this, improvised means are used. The main goal of first aid is to relieve swelling. Then measures are taken to stop the spread of the poison and prevent infection from entering the wound. The most effective folk remedies include:
- aloe;
- tansy;
- plantain leaves;
- olive oil;
- a solution of activated charcoal or acetylsalicylic acid;
- mint juice;
- onion puree;
- soda solution.
What to do at home if a bee stung
Everyone should know how to provide first aid for a bee sting at home. This will help prevent infection from entering the wound and minimize the harmful effects of the toxin. The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Remove the stinger from the wound.
- Disinfect the bite site.
- Apply a tourniquet to prevent the poison from spreading throughout the body.
- Call a doctor if you feel very unwell.
- Eliminate puffiness with a cold compress.
- Measure your heart rate and blood pressure.
- Stop the symptoms with folk remedies.
- Take antihistamines if you develop an allergy.
If the bite occurs on mucous surfaces, rinse them thoroughly with clean water. While waiting for the doctor, it is advisable to take a horizontal position of the body. It is important to ensure adequate access to oxygen.
First aid for a bee or wasp sting at home
Initially, the sting of the bee should be removed from the skin. It is recommended to use tweezers for this. The longer the sting is under the skin, the more dangerous the effect of the poison. To prevent infection in the wound, it is necessary to disinfect the instrument with alcohol or moonshine. After removing the sting, it is required to treat the area around the bite.
Cold compresses or lubricating the skin with olive oil will help relieve swelling and redness. Applying aloe leaves to the problem area will help relieve the inflammatory process. The plant is cut lengthwise. The inner side of it is applied to the problem area. To reduce pain, you need to attach a cotton swab or gauze soaked in herbal decoctions to the wound.
How to remove a tumor from a bee sting at home
If a bee has bitten, it is necessary to remove the swelling at home. This will help relieve pain. Measures should be taken in the first hours after the bite, while the poison has not had time to spread to other areas. The most effective decongestants include:
- baking soda solution;
- Apple vinegar;
- honey;
- mud paste;
- tobacco;
- raw potatoes;
- activated charcoal slurry.
The most suitable folk remedy for a bee sting must be applied to the affected area, and then secured with a bandage. After 20-30 minutes, puffiness will become less noticeable. With it, pronounced pain will disappear. If necessary, the procedure is repeated after 3-4 hours.
How to anoint a bee sting at home
It is not necessary to smear a bee sting at home with expensive medicines. Traditional medicine will be able to cope with the problem no worse. The simplest option is ordinary alcohol. Olive oil will do the same. But before applying it is desirable to keep it in the refrigerator. You can apply echinacea tincture to the bite area. It not only relieves inflammation, but also reduces the risk of developing allergies. It is also recommended to use herbal decoctions. The following medicinal plants have a good regenerative effect:
- succession;
- plantain;
- Birch;
- aloe;
- parsley.
A decoction of St. John’s wort, oak bark and mint will help to anesthetize a bee sting at home. The principle of its preparation is as follows:
- Herbs are mixed in equal proportions.
- 1 tsp the mixture is steamed with a glass of hot water.
- After 20 minutes, the remedy is filtered.
- Decoction moisten the problem area 2-3 times a day.
How to treat a bee sting at home
The rate of wound healing depends on the quality of wound care. To speed up regeneration, you should treat a bee sting at home with effective means. To do this, use compositions with bactericidal action. The body is strengthened both from the inside and outside. Parsley decoction will help to increase immunity and stop inflammation. As a result of its use, swelling is removed and discomfort is eliminated. It is prepared according to the following scheme:
- 50 g of fresh herbs are carefully chopped with a knife.
- Greens pour 500 ml of water and boil for 6 minutes.
- After removing from heat, parsley is insisted for half an hour under the lid.
- The resulting agent is taken orally 1 time per day, 50 ml.
To speed up the recovery process, a plentiful warm drink is welcome. This will help to remove toxins from the body faster. It is recommended to drink tea based on chamomile, St. John’s wort, calendula or sage.
If the general well-being is not alarming, you can treat a bee sting at home. With edema, lotions based on folk remedies help well. A small piece of cloth is impregnated with calendula tincture, soda solution or boric alcohol. Such lotions alternate with the application of cold. The first day of lotion should be changed every 30-40 minutes. The next day, the need for the procedure decreases. It is enough to apply gauze soaked in a therapeutic solution to the affected area 3-4 times a day.
Tea tree oil will help relieve itching from a bee sting at home. After applying it to the skin, a burning sensation may appear. After a while, it disappears. The oil is distinguished by its ability to draw toxins from the body and have an antibacterial effect. Onion juice has a similar effect. Half of the onion is applied to the bite site for 10 minutes. This will help relieve itching and pain.
If the incident happened far from home, you can use plants growing nearby. A slurry of mint, plantain or celandine is applied to the bite site. It is advisable to additionally fix the leaves with a clean piece of cloth.
When do you need to see a doctor?
It is not always advisable to treat a bee sting, accompanied by edema, at home. Some cases require immediate medical attention. Small children are at risk. They are more than adults are disposed to an allergic reaction. Medical assistance is also needed in the following cases:
- increased body temperature;
- development of Quincke’s edema;
- loss of consciousness;
- blanching of the skin;
- hoarse voice.
Particular vigilance must be shown if the bee has bitten the face. Then the swelling will be more pronounced. If it affects the organs of the respiratory system, suffocation will occur. This condition is deadly. If bitten in the eye, it is important to visit an ophthalmologist to rule out possible complications with visual function.
It is also necessary to call a doctor if symptoms of an allergic reaction appear. It is characterized by rashes, itching sensations and swelling of the mucous surfaces. In some cases, a severe runny nose and pronounced tearing develop.
Conclusion
A bee sting is most often tolerated without complications. Allergies, severe pain, and the addition of a secondary infection are rare consequences of a bite. Proper wound care will ensure a quick recovery without unwanted health consequences.