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Dear Jeff:
Oh, the pain--the itching and the redness and swelling! It sure isn't swell to get stung by a bee.
But in most cases, it's just a minor nuisance that'll soon go away. To take the sting out of that
stinger as soon as possible, though, don't pull it out. Instead, gently scrape it away with a sharp
blade or the side of a credit card. (Never try to squeeze stingers out because that'll only push
more venom into your wound.) Then wash the stung area with soap and water.
After cleansing the sting, many people find that applying a paste made from unseasoned meat
tenderizer and water can relieve the pain. If you're out of the tenderizer, try baking soda or
activated charcoal instead. Special creams and lotions like Calamine, benzocaine or hydrocortizone
may help you ditch the itch, too.
If you experience swelling, itching and hives on your body (other than where you were stung),
then a trip to your medicine cabinet probably isn't enough. You could be part of a small percentage
of people with allergic reactions to bee stings. Other symptoms include sneezing, nausea, stomach
pain, difficulties with swallowing and/or breathing and dizziness. They can be severe or even
life-threatening at times, so send yourself straight to a doctor if you have them. He or she will
tell you what treatments are best for you.
While it's great that doctors have medicines to help you overcome bug bites, it's always good
to practice some preventive medicine on your own. And that means knowing how to avoid nasty,
stinging insects in the first place. You can easily do this by staying inside at dawn and dusk,
which are favorite times for bugs to hang out. Also, avoid wearing clothes with bright colors and
floral prints. Skip using perfumes and sweet-smelling shampoos, too. Otherwise, bees and other bugs
will mistake you for a great big flower that's ready for pollinating.
Finally, don't get bees angry--or else they may get even. Many varieties of flying, stinging
insects will attack you if you attack them first. Even worse, they'll call in their troops! Some
angry insects can emit a trail of airborne chemicals called pheromones, and this rallies other
members of their species to fly in for reinforcement. So be a honey and stay calm and quiet around
bees; you won't bee sorry if you do. experience.
Signed,
Wendell
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