The Worst Mistakes Travelers Make After a Bee Sting-and How to Treat It the Right Way

"A popular myth is that you should try to suck out the venom, but that can actually make things worse, according to Jared Ross, a board-certified emergency medicine physician and professor at the University of Missouri. Ross explains that sucking doesn't create enough suction to remove venom and instead increases blood flow to the area, which can cause the venom to spread."

"Ross suggests using a fingernail instead, which is faster and more effective. The main goal of treatment is to reduce swelling, pain, and itching. Ross recommends applying a cold compress and taking oral antihistamines for itching and over-the-counter pain relievers or a topical lidocaine cream for pain. Since the reaction results from your immune system rather than an infection, antibiotics are rarely necessary."

Many travelers lack basic first-aid supplies and resort to improvised, outdated remedies while away from home. Trying to suck out venom is ineffective and can worsen stings by increasing blood flow and spreading venom. Scraping a stinger with a card may work but often takes too long when rummaging for a card; using a fingernail is faster and more effective. Stingers should be removed within 15 to 30 seconds to limit venom delivery. Treatment aims to reduce swelling, pain, and itching using cold compresses, oral antihistamines, over-the-counter pain relievers or topical lidocaine; antibiotics are rarely needed.

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