What are appropriate steps for a bee sting?

• A. Remove stinger, ice, antihistamine
• B. Leave stinger in and rub with alcohol
• C. Heat the sting with warm water
• D. Ignore it and keep paddling

Answer: (A)

Bee sting first aid focuses on stopping venom delivery, reducing swelling, and managing symptoms. Removing the stinger quickly is important because venom can continue to enter the tissue after the sting; use a fingernail or the edge of a card to scrape it out rather than squeezing with tweezers, which can push more venom in. Applying ice or a cold pack to the sting helps numb the area and limit swelling. Taking an oral antihistamine can help with itching and swelling when symptoms are mild and you’re in a remote area where medical help isn’t immediate. The other approaches aren’t appropriate: leaving the stinger in and rubbing with alcohol can irritate tissue and doesn’t remove the venom effectively; heating the sting can worsen swelling and pain; and ignoring it while paddling ignores a potential for a worsening reaction. After any sting, monitor for signs of a more serious reaction (like trouble breathing, swelling of the face or tongue, or widespread hives) and seek medical help if they appear.