It’s amazing how much pain a small insect can cause. The area around the sting swells up, the pain lasts for hours, and the itching can last for days. In this situation, you want immediate relief.

There are drugstore products designed for bee and wasp stings, but what if you don’t have any on hand? Well, there are a number of common things around your house that you can use. Many of these are even more effective than the expensive store products.

First Aid

First, inspect the site of the sting. If the stinger is still in there, try using the edge of a credit card or butter knife to gently scrape it out.

Next, wash the area with soap and water and gently pat it dry. It’s probably quite painful by now, so take a look at what home remedies you have available.

Ice

This is your first line of defense against pain and swelling. Put a few cubes in a wet wash cloth and rest it over the bite for up to 15 minutes. You may need to repeat this when your skin warms up.

Baking Soda, Vinegar, and Meat Tenderizer

The paste made of these ingredients will disinfect the wound, and the enzyme in the meat tenderizer breaks down the venom. Spread the paste over the sting and cover it with a damp cloth.

Toothpaste

This neutralizes itching and burning. You can use any kind of toothpaste, not just ones that contain baking soda. Apply it directly to the sting.

Honey

Honey has been used for generations to soothe pain and reduce infection from minor skin wounds, including stings. Spread a thin coat to the skin. If it drips or smears, cover it in plastic wrap.

Epsom Salts

These are excellent for reducing swelling and pain. They can also help your skin contract and expel any pieces of the stinger that are too deeply lodged to extract. Soak the affected area in a salt bath as needed.

Lavender Essential Oil

This has anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties. Put a drop on a wet cotton ball and place it over the sting. Don’t use the pure essential oil; it may irritate the skin.

These home remedies can help, but remember to get medical attention if your symptoms become severe. Some people have developed life-threatening allergies to bee stings after years of exposure.

To know more on how to avoid these kinds of pests, check out stinging insect control and schedule  a free inspection now.