Stop Swelling From a Yellow Jacket or Bee Sting
Yellow jackets can cause intense pain when they sting. Their stings result in a red bump that can continue to swell for up to 48 hours, according to the University of Michigan Health System. While the pain may subside in about two hours, the swelling may last for a week. Using some home remedies can help reduce the swelling and alleviate your pain.
Instructions
1. Avoid making the sting and the swelling worse. If the stinger is still present, remove the stinger by scraping it off. The stinger will appear to be a black dot. Do not squeeze it or try to pull it out directly; this may cause it to release even more venom into the sting.
2. Soak a cotton ball in a paste of meat tenderizer and water. Rub the cotton ball on the sting area for about 20 minutes. This helps break down the protein in a yellow jacket sting, which will reduce the swelling. If you do not have meat tenderizer, use a paste of baking soda and water.
3. Reduce the swelling further by rubbing an ice cube on the area for about 10 minutes. This can also help relieve persistent pain.
4. Use an over-the-counter 1 percent hydrocortisone cream. Apply it to the sting three times a day to help reduce the swelling and relieve the pain. If you do not have hydrocortisone cream, try wetting an aspirin and rubbing it on the area. (Do not use an aspirin if you are allergic to it.)
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