Natural Remedies for Bee Stings

Photo by wolfpix

Summer is just ahead of us, and with summer comes beautiful sunshine, days at the beach, and maybe even a game or two of Ladder Golf.  However, the sunny season does have a few drawbacks, including high counts of allergens and the occasional bee sting.  For the latter, Lifehacker and Slate Magazine covered a few simple remedies to soothe the pain that a bee sting can bring.

• Fresh-cut onion: An ingredient in onions breaks down the chemicals released by bee stings that cause pain and inflammation, according to Dr. Eric Block from the State University of New York at Albany.
• Toothpaste: The tingling sensation caused by toothpaste on the sting can be satisfying psychologically and physically.  This is due to the alkaline toothpaste neutralizing the acidic venom from the sting.
• Ice: Simple, effective, and practically free, ice is a known remedy for many skin irritations, especially bee stings.

Apply a Cut Onion to Soothe Bee Stings [Lifehacker]

For more remedies to try, see The Best Bee Sting Remedies [Slate Magazine]

OUTSOURCERS: Pickup some calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream from the drug store.

INSOURCERS: Keep your wallet full and your creativity flowing by using a time-tested remedy as simple as an onion or ice.