These following tips might reduce your risk of bee stings:
- Avoid canned pop or sweet beverages. Use wide open cups so you can see them
- Tightly cover garbage cans and food containers
- Clean away any fallen fruit, garbage and yes, animal feces!
- Wear closed toe shoes outdoors
- Avoid bright colored or floral clothing
- Don’t wear loose clothing as they can sneak in your body.
Bee stings can produce many different reactions, from temporary pain to a severe reaction. Treatment for minor reactions include removing the stinger ASAP, wash area with soap and water, apply cold compress to site.
More moderate reactions - add OTC pain relievers, elevate area if sting is located on arm or leg, use calamine or hydrocortisone cream to ease the redness, itching or swelling. Additionally add Benadryl if itching is bothersome.
Some home remedies that seem to help include baking soda paste on site, a raw onion, apple cider vinegar, honey, and toothpaste!
These stings may cause life threatening allergic reactions called anaphylaxis. Symptoms can start within minutes or up to 1/2 hour. They include hives, your face turning red or pale, swelling of the tongue and throat, difficulty breathing, cough or wheezing, nausea and vomiting, stomach cramps/diarrhea, dizziness and loss of consciousness. Any of these symptoms require immediate medical attention.
Although most people do not have severe reactions, it is a good idea to keep an eye on those bee stings!
