Just about everyone has experienced the sting of a buzzing bee.
Whether you're picnicking on a warm summer day, hiking through the woods or lounging in the backyard, bees are a common hazard. Getting stung is not only painful, it can be dangerous to those with allergies. It's important to remove the stinger as soon as possible; it contains venom and the sting won't heal unless it's removed. Stay calm and act quickly to get that stinger out.
Instructions
1. Leave the location where you were stung by the bee. There may be more bees in the area; to avoid multiple stings, leave.
2. Wash your hands carefully. Bee stings are an open wound; take care not to transfer dirt or bacteria from your hands to the sting.
3. Scrape your fingernail across the sting using light pressure. This movement should make the stinger rise up out of your skin. If necessary, squeeze the skin surrounding the stinger just slightly to ease the stinger out.
4. Grasp the edges of the stinger using your tweezers. Pull the stinger out slowly, being careful not to leave any of the barb inside your skin. Move slowly until the stinger is removed.
5. Soak a cotton ball in alcohol. Hold it on the sting for two minutes.
6. Hold an ice pack on the site of the bee sting. This will numb the area and provide some relief from any pain you're experiencing.
Tags: your hands, your skin