Tip of the week: how to treat an insect sting

Tip of the week: how to treat an insect sting


Play all audios:

Loading...

REMOVE THE STINGER. Wasps and hornets don’t leave stingers behind, but honeybees do. “If a honeybee nailed you,” you have about 20 seconds before all the venom is released, so try to get the


stinger out quickly. Scrape it out with a fingernail or, better yet, a credit card. Avoid squeezing, as that could burst open the venom sac. ICE AND MEDICATE. Pain and swelling can be


reduced by applying a cold pack. Also take an antihistamine and apply a hydrocortisone cream to reduce swelling and itching. You can apply the cream several times a day “until your symptoms


improve.” CONTAIN YOUR EMOTIONS. When children are stung, they need you to act as calmly as a doctor. Acknowledge the pain while treating the wound. If severe allergic symptoms occur, such


as swelling of the throat or tongue, “head to an ER right away.” SUBSCRIBE TO THE WEEK Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.


SUBSCRIBE & SAVE SIGN UP FOR THE WEEK'S FREE NEWSLETTERS From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.


From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox. _Source:_ Men’s Health A free daily email with the biggest news


stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com