Pain and other symptoms of a bee sting can worsen if you don’t get the stinger out quickly.
This can also increase the chances of an allergic reaction.
This article will go over how to remove a bee stinger and how to treat the sting.
Paul Starosta / Getty Images
What’s the Best Way to Remove a Bee Stinger?
There’s some disagreement about the best way to remove a bee stinger.
Some people say you have to scrape it to avoid squeezing more venom into the body.
Others say it’s okay to “grab and pull” on the stinger to get it out.
What happens if you dont remove a bee stinger?
You will likely experience worsening bee sting symptoms.
Not taking the stinger out can also lead to an infection and increase your risk of an allergic reaction.
When you get stung by a bee, you might feel shocked and panicked by the suddenness of it.
give a shot to stay calm and follow the three steps for removing the stinger.
Look at the Sting
After you get stung, look at the sting closely.
It’s normal to have a red bump with a black dot in the center.
If there’s a small, dark strand sticking out, it’s likely the stinger.
You might see a bulbous tip on the top of the strand, which is the venom sac.
What Is a Bee Stinger Called?
A honey bee’s stinger is an ovipositor.
It’s part of a female bee’s reproductive system.
The queen bee lays eggs through her ovipositor and can also sting with it.
Female worker bees do not lay eggs, so they can only use their ovipositor to sting.
A stinger is also a bee’s “last line of defense.”
Once it’s used, the bee dies.
If you don’t see the stinger, you might worry that it’s stuck under your skin.
A taut surface also will make it easier to remove the stinger.
What If I Can’t Get the Stinger Out?
If you get stung by a bee, the skin where you got stung will be affected.
Normal reactions to a bee sting include:
While unpleasant, these symptoms are normal.
What If I’m Stung More Than Once?
If you get multiple stings, you’ll have more venom pumped into your body.
This makes it more likely that you’ll have a serious reaction.
People who are allergic to bee stings can go intoanaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition.
If you are stung, an EpiPen could secure your life.
While they might not hurt to try, these methods are not backed up by science.
How Can I Tell What Stung Me?
Lots of insects can sting, but not all of them will leave a stinger behind when they do.
If you get stung and see a stinger, it means you got stung by a honey bee.
Specifically, it means that you got stung by a female honey bee.
The stings from these insects are similar.
Unless there’s a stinger left behind, you may not know which one stung you.
Which is worse, a bee sting or wasp sting?
It depends on how your body reacts to the sting.
Both stings releasevenom that causes swelling and pain, and both can cause severe reactions, including anaphylaxis.
Some wasps can bite as well as sing, and their bite can be very painful.
The longer the stinger is in, the more likely it is that you’ll have a reaction.
Keep the area clean and take OTC pain relievers if it hurts.
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