My daughter experienced her first bee sting at age two-- a startled bumblebee had pricked her big toe. Fortunately, I had already learned first aid for bee stings in kids, and my daughter escaped the situation with nothing more than a minor itch.
If your child gets stung by a bee, follow these first aid steps to treat the problem quickly and prevent possible complications.
1. Find the stinger and remove it quickly. Do not pull out a bee's stinger; this will drive the venom deeper into the child's skin. Instead, scrape it off gently using a fingernail, credit card or dull knife.
2. Wash the area immediately and apply a small amount of steroid cream, such as hydrocortisone. If you don't have steroid cream, some safe alternatives include baking soda and benzocaine.
3. Meat tenderizer is an excellent first aid treatment for bee stings in children. Apply it to the affected area every few hours after the sting.
4. If your child appears to be experiencing significant discomfort, call her pediatrician. After getting the go-ahead from a professional, you may administer an antihistamine like Benadryl or a pain-reliever such as ibuprofen or acetominophen.
5. Watch out for signs of an allergic reaction. These may occur within seconds, minutes, or (rarely) hours of a bee sting in a child. Symptoms of a bee sting allergy include significant swelling, abnormal breathing, hives, dizziness and fainting. Call 911 if your child displays any of these symptoms after a bee sting.
6. Reassure your child after the incident. Explain that bees sting when they are frightened or angry, and that caution can prevent another accident. Remind your child to avoid chasing or provoking bees.
7. In the days and weeks following the sting, check the affected area periodically. Consult a health care provider if your child shows signs of infected bee sting, such as swelling, pus, redness or fever. Regular washing and tea tree oil may help to prevent an infection from occurring.
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