Bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets all like me. Wasps especially
like building their nests in my boat. Bees just think I’m sweet and seek me out.
When they discover I am not as sweet as they thought they sting me. 8-)
All these little guys have stingers and they can cause
intense pain and swelling. Here are a few tips to ease the discomfort. These
are suggestions are from Dr. Martin Valentine M.D. allergist at Johns Hopkins
Allergy Center in Baltimore.
First use a scraping motion with a credit card, the back of
a knife, or even your fingernail and gently remove the stinger. Bees lose their
stinger, wasps do not. If there is a stinger do not squeeze the venom sac
attached. That would release more venom into you and make it more painful.
An ice compress applied to the sting relieves the pain and
swelling almost immediately. Use ice once every 2 hours the first day. This
stops the spread of the venom and the body can break it down more quickly. If
you are still swollen after the first day on ice, use warm compresses.
Aspirin or ibuprofen used as directed by the bottle
directions work well for the pain. Antihistamines like Benadryl used as
directed by bottle directions will help with itching. Calamine will also soothe
the area.
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