What Is Good for Making Bee Sting Swelling Go Down?

A bee sting hurts when it happens, and can leave a tender area of your skin for a period of several hours. Some people simply have a sore area, while others develop swelling in the area around the sting. If your body begins to swell, there are a number of simple, home remedies you can use to reduce the swelling.

Baking Soda

• Using a mixture of baking soda and water to form a paste is an effective and quick way to reduce the swelling of a bee sting. Combine equal parts of baking soda and water in a small dish, and mix them together until you have formed a paste the consistency of toothpaste. Gently rub the mixture directly onto the swollen area and leave it for several minutes, or until you notice the swelling begin to decrease.

Insect Relief Pads

• Next time you're in drugstore, look in the first aid aisle for insect relief pads. These pads are made by a variety of companies and contain the active ingredient benzocaine, which is a mild anesthetic. Upon being stung by a bee, place one of these pads directly onto the affected area. The benzocaine will decrease the swelling and irritation.

Herbal Remedies

• If you have a herb garden, you have ready access to a number of herbs that can provide quick relief if you're stung by a bee. These herbs are ideal if you're stung while working in the garden, as you won't have to hurry inside to find a treatment in your first-aid kit. Both parsley and basil are ideal for rubbing on swollen bee sting areas. Pick a few leaves of either herb, then rib or crush the leaves and place them directly on the swollen area.

Ice

• As with many other kinds of swelling, you can quickly reduce the swollen area caused by a bee sting by applying ice directly to your skin. If your skin is too sensitive to take the ice directly, wrap it in a tea towel and hold it in place. Ice cubes or frozen freezer packs work equally well for this method; the key is to get the ice on the swollen area quickly after being stung.