Don’t try to squeeze the stinger out. Always use tweezers or scrape out the stinger. If you’re allergic to bees, leaving the stinger in your skin for a long time can also make your reaction to being stung worse.
You only need to do this once as part of your first aid response to your bug bite, although you should do it right away. You may also apply an antibiotic cream to the bite to make sure you’re keeping it as clean as possible.
Refrain from putting ice directly on your skin or leaving the cool compress on for too long, as this can cause tissue damage. Make sure you always wrap ice in a towel or cloth before using it as a compress. You can also press the back of a cold spoon on your bug bite to act as a cold compress. Just make sure you leave the spoon in the freezer for a few minutes first to make it cold!
Elevate your limb at least 6 inches (15 cm) above your heart to make sure it’s high enough to cause reduced swelling. Note that you can’t use this method to treat bug bites on your midsection, since you can’t elevate it above your heart.
Using honey may also work to reduce itching caused by bug bites, especially mosquito bites.
You can also try using 2 basil leaves on your bite if 1 leaf doesn’t produce any results.
If you have itchy bug bites across your entire body, you can also opt to soak in a vinegar bath instead of applying it with a cotton swab.
Because witch hazel is technically a distilled water, it doesn’t have to be diluted like other essential oils before you can apply it. You can buy witch hazel at most cosmetics stores, pharmacies, and many department stores.
If your baking soda and water mixture doesn’t adhere to your skin, trying mixing the baking soda with lotion to get a stickier paste.
You can buy hydrocortisone cream at any pharmacy or drugstore. Examples of over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams include Cortizone-10 and Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream. You can also use generic triamcinolone, which you can apply to the bite or sting for 1-2 days.
Adults can usually take up to 25 to 50 mg of antihistamines in a 24 hour period. You should never exceed the dosage recommendations on the label. Common brands of over-the-counter antihistamines include non-drowsy Zyrtec, Claritin, Allegra, and Alavert. You can also take Benadryl, which causes drowsiness.
Follow all instructions on the label and don’t exceed the recommended dose. Keep in mind that NSAIDs are not safe for long-term use. NSAIDs are not right for everyone, so always check with your doctor before you take them. If you cannot take NSAIDs, your doctor may recommend other over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen.
Follow the instructions for using your EpiPen or its generic equivalent. Always call your medical provider or emergency services after using your EpiPen or generic equivalent. You still need to be treated. It’s best to always have 2 EpiPens or their generic equivalent in your possession if your doctor prescribed it for you. [15] X Research source
Your doctor will most likely prescribe you an antibiotic in cream or pill form to treat the infection. These are effective in nearly all cases of infection and symptoms generally improve in a matter of days.
