The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Meat Tenderizer
Posted by Tim (Houston, Texas) on 03/28/2007
★★★★★
ACV doesn't work on bee stings. But here what does... apply meat tenderizer (mixed until it becomes a paste) to sting for 3-5 minutes, then soak in ice water or ice pack for about 5 minutes, then apply aloe vera for a few minutes. Pain gone, swelling gone, and poison reduced.
Meat Tenderizer
Posted by Robert (Martinez, Ca) on 09/02/2010
I wanted to expand a bit on the meat tenderizer whose prime ingredient is MSG. I was once told by a Pharmacist that MSG, (monosodium glutamate), is 'protiolytic', meaning it breaks down the protein bonds of the bee venom. So making a paste of this & applying to the affected area will work & is probably the only good use of MSG which was, as I understand, first used by the Japanese in WWII to keep their field rations fresh tasting. Some of these rations were taken back to the U. S. & analyzed whereupon the MSG was found. I was told by a Chinese chef that MSG is harmfully activated when heated & should be added after the food is cooked. I have had bad experiences ingesting Chinese foods heavily 'laced' with MSG & found a quick cure in using sudafed or other antihistamines. If you don't have MSG available for the sting, use a mud pack & you can get creative by mixing in vinegar, or good air dried salt. Homeopathics to have on the shelf are Apis, Arnica, Rhus Tox, or the poison oak/ivy combo. Homeopathic sting/insect bite gel works very well. Calamine w/Benadril works well in a pinch.
Tobacco
Posted by Brenda (Vicksburg, MS) on 11/08/2006
★★★★★
My grandfather always wet tobacco and applied it to wasp or bee stings and it works immediately to stop the pain and swelling.
Tobacco
Posted by Texaninsweden (Siknas, Norbotten, Sweden) on 01/20/2010
★★★★★
Swedish Snus (steamed tobacco leaf), it is already wet and acts fast. I was stung below the ear and on the ear I applied the snus immediately. The pain was alleviated immediately and there as no swelling the next day.
Tobacco
Posted by Diane (Lonsdale, Mn) on 01/24/2010
We have used tobacco poultices since I was a small child for infections. I also used to feed a cigarette monthly to my goats and pigs to worm them. Works overnight!
Tobacco
Posted by Shampoogirl (Jacksonville, Al) on 07/06/2012
Snuff works too if it's applied IMMEDIATELY after a sting. I carry a small can with me when out, otherwise I'll have to go to the doctor for a shot after a bee sting.
Sugar
Posted by Suzy (BC) on 11/05/2006
★★★★★
I read it in a book then tried it myself the next time I got stung. Because I swell up so large around my stings and they last at least up to a week before my body rids the swelling. Now as soon as I can after I'm stung, I make a thick sugar water paste. I get a spoon and scoop out some sugar, then I add a tiny bit of water enough to make a paste that is not too juicy (not leaky) and not too dry to be crumbly. I apply it generously on top of the sting. Within 1 minute you will not feel the sting and there will be no stinging. I leave it on for about 20 minutes. That's it. It works beautifully!
Rust
Posted by Anj (UK) on 10/06/2006
★★★★★
In my mum's days they used to have most of the things made of iron so they used iron rust. Mostly people have honey in their homes. She used to say if a bee stings you in the garden or park you don't have anything there with you than the best alternative is the soil mixed with water but the black soil/ mud better results and this is used as a poultice which dries in few minutes so you don't need any bandages or tapes.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mary (Arcadia, CA) on 08/20/2014 51 posts
Thank you for your story. I recently went to an Apitherapist for bee stings to heal my arthritis. He gave me a sting near my throat in the back of my head.
I quickly started to itch and my tongue became red and very itchy. He did some kind of Accupuncture on me and gave me a Mung Bean drink.
I had red spots all over my feet and my vagina was itching so bad. I finally calmed down. I have to go again tomorrow but he said I cannot have any more stings. I will definitely carry ACV with me. Thank you for your help. Should I carry Benadryl with me?
Homeopathics
Posted by Frankie H. (Oregon, Usa) on 08/01/2015
Hey LOVER OF TRUTH, IN. What homeopathic did you put on your sting? OR was it something else? Would love to have that in our first aid kit! Thank you very much!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Honor (Seattle, Wa) on 06/21/2011
★★★★★
Worked great for a bumble bee sting right to the arch of my foot. Pain gone after about a minute. Hope the bee made it. :(
Toothpaste
Posted by Iluvigs (Springfield, Mo, United States) on 07/27/2010
★★★★★
I had read that toothpaste would relieve the pain of bee stings... Have used it myself, my husband and even used it on a dog with great success. Also worked on wasp stings .It does not relieve itching but does relieve initial pain. It was recommended to use paste rather than gel but if gel was all I had, I would sure try it. We keep a tube of paste clearly marked for stings only.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Trevor (East Corinth, V.t. Usa) on 08/09/2010
★★★★★
The Apple Cider Vinegar remedy worked very well. My sting went away immediately.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by E.j. (Brevard, N.c., Usa) on 08/09/2010
Hi Trevor, Started to use last month and it helped lower my number. (I am a prediabetic). Would like to ask if anyone knows the different from blackstrap molasses and sorghum syrup? The reason I am asking is sorghum is grown local in my area of NC. And N. GA. It is also a grass! I have some in my shelves. Thank you for any answer! E.G.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Turtlewalk (Santa Ana, Ca) on 11/21/2009
★★★★★
My daughter was saving a bee from the pool today (doubt she'll do that again) and got stung on her thumb. It began to swell immediately. We put baking soda on it and iced & elevated it. She kept asking for relief from the pain. I found this site and dunked her thumb in Apple Cider Vinegar a few minutes ago. She says the pain is almost gone.
Bounce Dryer Sheets
Posted by Lore (Walnut Creek, Ca 94595, U) on 08/08/2008
★★★★★
To stop yellow jacket attraction: "Bounce"sheets as repellents for yellow jackets, pieces tucked into golf shoes, belt and rubbed around ears and neck. It helps but smell is so bad.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Nick (Colorado, Colorado) on 06/15/2008
★★★★★
I was watering my plants and my finger touched a living bumblebee and it stung me and it hurt bad. So I put 4tbs. of apple cider vinegar on it and it worked in a minute!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mary (Dartmouth, Massachusetts) on 08/17/2007
★★★★★
I was doing some yard work and must have upset a hornets nest. The hornets were swarming around on the ground and I was stung on the leg and on my forearm before I realized what was going on. I was a bit frightened since the last time I was stung by a hornet, many years ago, my arm swelled up a lot and was very itchy so I was afraid of a more severe reaction. I had recently read how ACV worked on so many things, I immediately put ACV on the stings. Within a minute or two, the pain from the stings was gone! The next day there wasn't even a mark where I got stung. Amazing!
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Crystal (Liberty, KY) on 07/02/2008
★★★★★
My son was stung and we used this! It worked GREAT! THX
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Valeria (Windsor, Sc) on 09/18/2009
umm my dad just got stung by like 5 yellowjackets should i just use 2tbls and a shake or more than that for my remedy??
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Jackie (Boca Raton, Florida, Usa) on 02/21/2012
It is nite time and I was picking out good things that people left outside for the garbage man tomorrow.
All of a sudden something bit me and I had incredible shooting pain on my wrist and I couldn't get my watch off fast enough. The only light was by street light so I couldn't see what bit me. The initial pain was soo bad I couldn't drive to get home right away, but after I did try driving home, I checked out your sight and to my amazement the Apple Cider Vinegar and touch of Baking Soda burned at first then numbed the area. I have six bites on my wrist and the pain is gone! Oh I should mention I just took two Benedryl, generic form as I am allergic to Bees, Wasps, etc. I don't know what bit me, maybe it was a swarm of something? There were not stingers just 6 red bites. Any ideas what they could be from?
Thanks! Jackie
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marsh (Colorado) on 07/12/2021
What a story! I was crossing on a path of grass heading to a restaurant and a bee stung me between my 2nd & 3rd toe. Hurt like the devil. Asked the hostess for a glass of ice. Kept a cube wrapped in a napkin and stuck between my toes for about 90 minutes. The waiter brought out a mini container of honey. All was fine for approx 5 hours then throbbing and swelling started again. Foot in ACV bath and taking a shot now. Thanks!
