5 Ways to Treat Insect Stings at Home

Image by skeeze from Pixabay

When you hear insect sting the first thought is usually wasps and bees. These are the most common stings, can be very painful, and may cause health issues if you have an allergy.

However, they are not the only insects that sting, you need to be ready to deal with the aftermath from any insect sting.

In fact, it’s a good idea to speak to your local exterminator as they will be aware of the most common stinging insects in your area and what you can do to minimize the risk of them invading your home. Click here to find out more!

If you have been unfortunate enough to be stung then try one of these 5 treatment methods:

Ice

This is a simple and effective way to reduce swelling and minimize pain. The coldness of the ice will cause the affected area to feel numb and will decrease blood flow to the area. This minimizes swelling and will help to reduce the amount of toxin being moved around your body. Put simply, less blood to the area reduces the ability for any toxins in the sting to get into your blood and move around your body.

It’s best to wrap a couple of ice cubes in a damp cloth and ace the on the sting for approximately 20 minutes.

Garlic

You may be surprised to discover that garlic can be very effective at reducing the pain of an insect sting. All you need to do is crush a garlic clove and cover the sting with it. It’s the garlic juices that are most effective so make sure they are included in your paste.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is great for a number of things, including insects stings. It is particularly effective against bee stings. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with enough water to make a thick paste. Then slather this across the sting and wait. It will start to soothe almost instantly.

Don’t forget that bees leave their sting in you, it will need to be carefully removed.

Apple Cider Vinegar

This is an effective approach when you’ve been stung by a wasp. The wasp sting, and even the hornets, are alkaline in nature, acidic compounds are the most effective at neutralizing them.

Dip a cotton wool swab into the apple cider vinegar and place it on the sting, or use a cotton swab and rub it across the sting. The pain will quickly reduce, allowing you to inspect the sting properly.

Onion

Onions are another surprisingly effective approach to insects stings and you’ll probably always have one in the house. Simply cut an onion in half and press the exposed area onto your sting. Hold it there until the pain disappears.

It is possible to have an allergic reaction to any insect sting, pay carefully attention to any symptoms that develop after the sting and seek the necessary medical attention if required. This is one scenario where it is definitely better to be safe than sorry.