Step-by-Step First Aid for a Bee Sting in the Garden

Before you can try one of the many options for self-care for bee stings, take some basic first aid steps. Failing to remove the stinger could lengthen the healing time, while forgetting to wash the affected area raises the risk of infection.

1. Stay Calm, and Move Away From the Bee

Some people think that bees can smell pheromones from angry or scared humans, but this is not true. Instead, the bee that stung you will likely release alarm pheromones that call other bees to its aid. ^[2] Voeller, D. and Nieh, J. (2001). Analysis of Honeybee Aggression. University of California San Diego School of Biological Sciences. Your rapid, erratic, and sudden movements also tend to warn them you’re reacting badly to their sting.

Don’t try to swat the bee or swing your arms around wildly to stop others. Just pick a clear path away from the bee, and go away from it as quickly and calmly as possible.

Staying in the area where you were stung could lead to more stings, especially if you’ve disturbed a hidden hive. You don’t need to run and risk a fall, but you should hurry and get at least 300 feet away before stopping to check your stings.

Bees will follow you a short distance, but eventually they’ll return to the flowers they were visiting or their hive. Head indoors if possible to check your sting and apply some basic first aid steps.

2. Remove the Stinger Immediately

If you’re stung by a European honeybee or most other hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets, there’s a good chance the stinger remains stuck in your skin. You can use a fingernail to scrape the stinger loose, but a credit card or stiff piece of card stock often works better.

Try to locate the stinger and note the direction, then press the edge of your fingernail or card in the opposite direction to push it out of your skin. Avoid tweezers if possible, since they can squeeze more venom from the stinger into your skin as you treat a bee sting at home.

3. Wash the Area With Soap and Water

Before beginning any natural treatment for bee sting symptoms, wash the affected area with a mild soap and warm water. This reduces bacteria around the broken skin, reducing the chance of infection that can lead to pain and itching that lingers longer than necessary.

There’s no need for antibacterial soap or any particular sprays or creams to kill bacteria, but washing the area also helps you assess how swollen, red, and warm the spot is getting.

4. Apply a Cold Compress

One of the fastest ways to get bee sting swelling relief while also treating the pain is to apply a simple cold compress. Grab a block of ice, a plastic bag filled with ice cubes, a flexible cold pack, or even a bag of peas, and wrap it in a soft cloth.

Apply the cold compress to the sting for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Give your skin at least 30 minutes to warm back up to avoid damage, then apply again if necessary to calm the swelling and pain.

Natural Home Remedies for Bee Sting Relief

If you don’t notice any warning signs of more severe reactions to the sting as the hours pass, you should try some DIY bee sting first aid to soothe the itch and prevent further irritation. You can use a few of the following home remedies in combination with each other, but you don't need to do them all, since a few require testing ahead of time to rule out allergic reactions.

Baking Soda Paste

One common home remedy that’s believed to neutralize the venom left by a bee’s stinger is a paste made of baking soda and water. Start with around a teaspoon of baking soda and add just a few drops of water at a time until you make a thick paste. Dab the paste over the entire swollen area as soon as possible after removing the stinger and washing the site. Leave it on until it dries and cracks.

Honey

Honey is a great skin-soothing DIY treatment you likely already have in your cupboard. It’s known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it a good fit for treating an itchy or sore bee sting that doesn’t want to go away. You can use it immediately after cleaning the sting or days later if you notice dry and irritated skin from scratching.

Aloe Vera Gel

Another option for soothing the skin and reducing the compulsion to scratch is classic Aloe vera gel. Squeeze some fresh from a leaf for the best results, especially since keeping Aloe vera as a houseplant is so easy. If you don’t already have a plant on hand, grab a bottle of pure Aloe vera gel. You can apply it two to three times a day to help the sting heal up with minimal itching.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Dilute apple cider vinegar around 50% with cool water, and dab some of it on the sting site with a cotton ball. Some people swear that it helps neutralize the venom and leads to a much shorter healing time, especially if applied right after removing the stinger. It's possible to experience irritation when applying vinegar to the skin, so test the diluted mixture before a bee sting occurs to know if this remedy might work for you.

Witch Hazel

If you keep a product with witch hazel extract on hand for natural facial cleansing after a sweaty day in the garden, it can also reduce the swelling and itchiness of a bee sting. Wait until a few hours have passed so the sting closes up, or the alcohol-based extract may burn a little. Witch hazel extract can trigger an allergic reaction in some, so test a dab of it on your inner elbow before adding it to your regular gardening or self-care routine.

Essential Oils

Essential oils can help relieve the tenderness and itching that often makes a bee sting so distracting during the healing process. However, you need to dilute each oil based on the recommendations for that specific type, and also test yourself for allergic reactions before using. Both tea tree and lavender oil are commonly used for bee stings, and you can safely dilute them to 12 drops of essential oil per 1 ounce of neutral carrier oil like safflower or jojoba. ^[3] Robbins, W. (2012). Guide to Diluting Essential Oils. Aroma Web.

Clay or Mud

Sometimes you won’t be able to access your usual home remedies because you’re busy in the garden or camping away from home. In a pinch, mud and clay can be mixed with clean water to create a cooling paste that helps relieve the irritation caused by a bee sting. You can leave it on until it cracks and apply more as needed. The evaporation of moisture from the clay or mud helps soothe the skin and distract you from the sensation of the sting.

How Long Will a Bee Sting Last?

Most bee sting reactions resolve themselves within one to three days. You may experience itching for up to a week as the damaged tissue heals, especially if you scratch and damage the skin. Swelling, even surprising amounts of it, is completely normal, along with redness around the sting site.

When to Seek Medical Help

Gardening and bee stings go hand in hand, but some gardeners may discover that they’re more sensitive to these stings than they expected. If swelling spreads beyond the limb or area affected by the sting, you may need to see a doctor. Other warning signs of allergic reaction that deserve emergency attention include:

• Hives, swelling of the face and throat, and trouble breathing
• A history of severe allergies, including to stinging insects
• Fever, nausea, sensitivity to light, and other unusual symptoms

If you are stung multiple times or have any stings to the mouth, eyes, or inside of your throat, seek emergency treatment as well. These situations can pose a risk even to people who don’t have a specific sensitivity to bee venom.

Tips for Preventing Future Bee Stings in the Garden

You can avoid almost all bee stings by taking care and watching out as you work.

• Avoid floral-scented lotions, perfumes, shampoos, and other self-care products the day before gardening.
• Wear gloves and long-sleeved shirts that tuck into them to limit bee access to your hands and arms, the places they sting the most.
• Stay calm and don’t swat at or move quickly around bees when you see them.
• Cluster bee-friendly plants far from seating areas and paths, or avoid them altogether if you are allergic.

Wrap-up

For most gardeners who receive a sting now and then, simple home care remedies are all they need to deal with the swelling and itchiness. Build a basic garden first-aid kit and keep it handy so that bee stings and sunburn don’t interrupt your days outdoors. Bees do a great job of pollinating the garden and won’t sting during most encounters, so find ways to stay safe while still appreciating their contributions from a distance.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.