Most bee stings can be treated without medical attention. First aid for someone who has been stung by a bee or wasp includes a number of dos and don’ts.  bee sting

DO:

* Stay with the person to watch out for any severe reaction that could develop

* Call for urgent medical help if there are signs of a severe allergic reaction

* Remove the stinger promptly if it remains – honey bee stingers are barbed and usually remain in the skin, and prompt removal is needed since the injection mechanism continues

* To remove the stinger, wipe over it with a piece of gauze, or scrape a finger nail, piece of card or a bank card over it

* Remain calm – walk away calmly since wasps and hornets can sting again (they do not usually leave a stinger)

* Wash the site of the sting with plain soap and water

* Apply a cold compress – ice, frozen peas or cold cloth to reduce swelling

* Offer aspirin or acetaminophen if desired to reduce pain; sprays or creams containing anesthetic and antihistamine are available from pharmacists, as are oral antihistamines for reducing swelling.

DON’T:

* Leave the person alone – they may develop a severe reaction

* Use tweezers to remove the stinger

* Squeeze the stinger in an attempt to remove it – this can cause more venom to be injected

* Scratch the sting – this could aggravate the problem and lead to an infection

* Panic, Waving around will not help, and wasps and hornets do not usually leave a stinger so they may sting again

* Use calamine lotion, vinegar or bicarbonate of soda – these are not recommended treatments, and the aim of neutralizing the acidic venom with the latter two is pointless since the venom gets deep into the tissues

* Burst any blisters that develop since this can lead to infection.