Home care for bee, wasp, or hornet stings includes:
- Remove the stinger from the skin:
- Avoid pushing on the stinger, because this forces venom into the skin.
- Gently scrape the skin with a butter knife or fingernail.
- Apply a cold compress:
- Clean the area with mild soap.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment.
- For stings to the limbs, elevate the area above your heart.
- Take oral antihistamines for hives.
- Apply 1% hydrocortisone cream for itching.
- Acetaminophen for pain
- Ibuprofen for pain
