How to Remove Venom

Venom is a stinging serum that animals and insects, such as bees, spiders, snakes and jellyfish, inject into the skin as a defense mechanism. According to MayoClinic.com, snake, spider and jellyfish stings each require different treatment and can be exacerbated if you attempt to remove the venom. However, for insects that have a venom sac inside the stinger, such as bees and yellow jackets, venom removal is critical within the first 30 seconds. Learning how to properly remove venom can help to prevent a bad situation from turning worse.

Things You'll Need

• Unscented soap
• Medical suction device
• Rubber gloves
• Towel
• Saltwater
• Vinegar
• Meat tenderizer

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Instructions

Bee Venom (Sting)

• 1

  Move away from the stinging environment to a well-lighted area. If you are near a beehive, it's better to hobble several yards over than risk being stung again.

• 2

  Find the stinger and the attached venom sac quickly.

• 3

  Scrape your fingernail over the stinger, extracting it from the skin. Do not use tweezers on the stinger, as the squeezing motion will release more venom into the skin.

• 4

  Wash the stung area with unscented soap and cold water to ease the inflammation and avoid infection.

Snake Venom

• 5

  Calm yourself down if you have been bitten by a snake. An increased heart rate will circulate the venom more quickly throughout your body.

• 6

  Remove any rings, bracelets or necklaces that might constrict with swelling. If the bite changes color or begins to spread, the snake was probably poisonous.

• 7

  Move the affected area at or below heart level and remain still to prevent further circulation of the venom.

• 8

  Use a medical suction device, if available, to remove the venom. If you do not have a specialized medical tool, do not attempt to remove the venom. Do not suck the venom with your mouth, apply a tourniquet or cold compress, or attempt to cut out the affected skin area.

• 9

  Call for medical help immediately. Snake bites can cause shock and asphyxiation quickly, particularly in small children.

Marine Life Venom (Jellyfish, Stingray, Sea Urchins and Electric Eels)

• 10

  Calm yourself and move the stung area below your heart level, if possible.

• 11

  Wear rubber gloves and remove the stinger or tentacles with a towel. Attempting to remove these without gloves or protection will transfer the venom to your hands.

• 12

  Soak the affected area in saltwater. Ocean water has amazing cleansing and healing properties that draw bacteria and toxins out of the bite.

• 13

  Apply vinegar or a meat tenderizer to neutralize the venom.

• 14

  Call 911 immediately if you begin to feel faint or go into shock.