If itching from a sting is driving you crazy, relieve the itch with antihistamines. Swelling can be reduced with hydrocortisone cream. An over-the-counter pain reliever will take care of the pain.
Precaution
Though salt water will cleanse the sting site, itβs best to get a tetanus shot if your immunization is not up to date.
Tip
Jellyfish will not sting you if you wear pantyhose while swimming.
Be Careful
Always use caution when you are in the vicinity of beehives or when you are swimming in the ocean. Avoiding stings is the best preventative.
Medical Alert
Bee stings cause more deaths than the bites of deadly, poisonous snakes. Normally, a bee sting causes redness, swelling and pain for a few hours or at times, a day or two. Severe reactions to bee stings indicate that an allergy is present. Symptoms are tightness of the chest, swelling of the face or tongue, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, fainting, wheezing, hoarseness and shock. The more severe the allergy, the more quickly the symptoms will appear. These symptoms indicate a life threatening condition. If you know you are allergic to bee stings, carry a bee sting kit and then get to the hospital as quickly as possible.
Jellyfish stings can also be very severe and are often accompanied by symptoms such as muscle cramps, headache, and shortness of breath, vomiting, nausea, and coughing. If these symptoms appear, seek medical attention.