Bee or Wasp Stings
You need to act fast to minimize the pain from a wasp or bee sting. Wasps don’t lose their stinger when they strike, which means they can sting you repeatedly. Bees, on the other hand, do leave their stinger behind. While bees can’t sting multiple times, that stinger can continue to inject venom into the injury.
“It’s important to remove the stinger right away to decrease the amount of venom injected and reduce the risk of a foreign body reaction, although these are rare,” says Heather Hawthorne, M.D., a Doctor on Demand in the Los Angeles area. “Be sure to wash the area with soap and water, and then quickly apply an ice pack for 20 minutes to reduce pain and swelling.”
Over-the-counter ibuprofen such as Advil is usually adequate to control the pain, swelling and redness if needed. Topical antihistamines such as Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Relief Stick work well to control itching.
It’s important to watch for signs of a secondary bacterial skin infection, which can happen after any type of insect sting or bite. Symptoms may include streaking redness, pus draining from the site or worsening pain. These usually show up three to five days after the sting and require medical attention. Check out these tips that will help you avoid getting bit or stung in the first place.
Article source here: The Best Way to Treat Every Type of Bug Bite
No comments:
Post a Comment