Take the Bite Out of Stings

You really can’t blame bees for doing their best to defend their hives and honey, but the pain and swelling after a close encounter hurts to high heavens! A bee stinger continues to release venom even when the insect is long gone, so if the little bugger left a stinger embedded in your skin, your best bet is to pull it out.

Once the stinger is gone, you need to tame your pain. Here are my favorite kitchen counter cures:

·        Mix a little baking soda with water, and smear on a generous layer of the paste. It’ll help pull out the venom and reduce the swelling and irritation. Let the paste dry, and then cool the area with some well-placed ice.

·        If a wasp got you, you’re better off pouring an acid-based liquid such as vinegar or lemon juice on the sting to neutralize the alkaline effects of the wasp’s venom.

·        Meat tenderizer contains papain, an enzyme that breaks down the protein in venom to ease pain and itching. Mix 1 teaspoon of tenderizer with a few drops of water to make a paste, then apply it to your sting for no more than 30 minutes.

And the next time you’re heading to the backyard or woods, wear light-colored clothing—wasps, mosquitoes, and other biting insects tend to be attracted to bright, contrasting colors.