Learn whether or not it is safe to use Epsom salt for a bee sting and what must you do after a bee sting to avoid complications!
Have You Been Stung by a Bee?
Have you ever felt a sudden piercing or burning sensation on your skin? Then, you realize that it is a bee sting and panic because you have already predicted how much it will hurt and swell in the coming hours. Most of the time bee stings are harmless and just a passing nuisance. However, the reactions can vary from mild, moderate to severe based on your body’s reaction to the sting.
Also, multiple bee stings should be attended to immediately as they can prove to be fatal. In a normal scenario, you would only need to see a doctor in case, the sting symptoms including the swelling don’t go away within a few days or you feel other allergic reactions to the sting.
Do’s and Don’ts of Treating a Bee Sting
Bee stings can be nasty; however, there are fundamental do’s and don’ts that can help you manage the pain, swelling, and rising anxiety you feel when you get stung. The first thing to do is get the bee stinger out of your skin as quickly as possible, because the longer that stays in your skin, the more harmful and painful it will be.
Handling the situation with an unmatched calm is the key to get the stinger out and treat the area. So, remove the bee stinger and rinse the area well with soap water. Then, apply a cold pack or compress to reduce the swelling. If you notice the swelling spreading fast, immediately consult or seek medical help.
Even as bee stings are quite harmless, they can sometimes be poisonous (when stung by multiple bees) and can lead to serious health concerns. Therefore, it is vital to treat the sting as soon as possible. To treat the sting, follow the below process:
1. Check for the Number of Stings:
While most of the bees sting only once, they can be more aggressive and sting more than once. Wasps and hornets are among the most aggressive bees that can bite you multiple times. The reason to look for the stings is because multiple stings can be fatal and requires immediate medical assistance.
2. Remove the Stinger
Once you identify the stings, remove them as soon as possible without any delay to stop the poison from spreading in your body. Instead of using a tweezer, try to remove the stinger with your fingers. Avoid using tweezers as it can cause more release of venom in the skin. Also, avoid touching your nails to the affected area as it can cause the bacteria to cause further infections.
3. Wash
Now that you have remove the sting, wash the area with an antiseptic liquid and cotton or a soft microfiber cloth.
You can apply a cold pack to help in the swelling and also take over-the-counter medications to help with the pain. However, if the pain increases, or if the stings are more than once, consult your doctor at the earliest.
Symptoms or Signs of a Bee Sting
The first sign of a sting is excruciating pain or a burning sensation in a particular area of the body. This could be coupled with a feeling of pricking needles. Then, the skin around the sting point shows a little swelling. There could also be slight redness around that area.
While some people have mild symptoms, others have major allergic reactions to bee stings and suffer from nausea; difficulty in breathing, rashes on the skin, etc. If you are experiencing these severe symptoms from the sting, you must visit a doctor as soon as possible.
Epsom Salt for Bee Stings
A simple remedy for reducing the effect of a bee sting is to apply some Epsom salt to the affected area. You can also use a compress made with Epsom salt. The anti-inflammatory and soothing properties of the salt help in reducing the swelling. The salt also contains magnesium and sulfate, which contributes to reducing swelling. You can either use a salt compress over the area or apply a paste of Epsom salt and water. However, make sure you dissolve the salt properly in warm water. Then, use a cold pack after application to make the treatment more effective.
If you have access to a bathtub, you can also enjoy a relaxing Epsom salt soak along with treating the bee sting. This bath not only relaxes your muscles, but it also relieves the pain caused by the sting as it draws out the toxins from the body. For bee sting treatment, take a cold Epsom salt soak for twenty minutes.
Takeaway
Bee stings are easy to treat, but it is best to steer clear of them because the pain can last for a long time and cause inconvenience. But, remember that bees don’t want to sting as it can lead to their demise as well. The stings are attached to the bees’ intestines, which can be ripped off their bodies when they fly away, leading them to die. When around a bee, keep away from them and avoid messing with them to avoid bee bites.
Bee stings are often the insect’s defense mechanism, which is brought to action when you panic or the bee feels threatened. Therefore, the best solution is to remain calm and composed during an encounter with a bee. Finally, read this step-to-step guide to treating a bee stinger!