Homeopathic Treatment for Bee Sting – Top 5 Remedies

Bee stings are very common. They can be uncomfortable but in the majority of  cases are not serious. They cause sharp pain, redness, swelling and itching on skin at the site of sting that can be well managed by home treatment. This home treatment mainly includes quick removal of stinger, washing the affected skin area with soap and water, applying calamine lotion to soothe the itching on skin and taking a pain reliever. But people allergic to bee sting can experience severe symptoms (that can be even life threatening) that requires quick treatment. The most commonly known sting is from honeybees, but other bees like bumble bee, sweat bee and some wasps and insects can also sting. Homeopathic treatment for bee sting uses the top grade medicine Apis Mellifica as a first aid to bring down the signs and symptoms appearing on the skin.  

Bee sting arises from injection of stinger (a sharp organ present in insects like bees, wasps etc. which is connected to a sac of venom that injects venom by piercing skin) from honeybee into the skin. Barbed stinger of a honey bee penetrates into the skin when it stings. Following this the venom is released from the sac of venom attached to stinger. Major component of bee venom is melittin which damages cell membranes, causes expansion of  blood vessels, destructs red blood cells and triggers our pain receptors that cause pain.
Next, it contains protein phospholipase A2 that also causes destruction of the cell membrane, inflammation and pain.
Other than this it also contains histamines (A substance that plays a major role in many allergic reactions). Few people who are allergic to this venom or get stung multiple times, tend to experience a serious allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis requiring emergency treatment.

Symptoms 

In case of bee stings everyone reacts differently and the symptom depends upon the severity of reaction that can be mild, moderate or severe. The symptoms of mild and moderate reaction are quite similar but vary in intensity. The reaction of the body to bee sting can vary every single time a person is stung. 

In case of mild reaction from bee sting the symptoms are localized to skin. In this a person feels temporary sharp pain at the site of sting that follows soon after being stung. Along with this little swelling, redness, heat and itching appears at the skin site of sting. These signs and symptoms are harmless, temporary and go away in a few hours without any complications.

If the reaction is moderate then there appears redness at the sting site which is intense along with pain and increased swelling that tend to enlarge for a day or two. The skin area adjacent to the site of sting can be involved too. These signs and symptoms may last for a week up to 10 days.

Some people develop a severe allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis) from a bee sting. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction which turns life – threatening if not treated immediately. In cases of anaphylaxis the immune system releases certain chemicals that can make a person go into shock and prove fatal if not treated promptly. In such cases the signs and symptoms are not localised  just to skin and can involve the entire body. The signs and symptoms of severe allergic reaction to bee stings include hives, severe itching, flushed or pale skin, swelling of throat and tongue,  difficulty in breathing, a rapid pulse, sudden drop in blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, lightheadedness, dizziness and loss of consciousness. If these signs and symptoms are present then one must seek urgent help from conventional mode of treatment as it can be life threatening and fatal if not attended immediately.

Homeopathic Treatment for Bee Sting 

Homoeopathic medicines can be of great help in cases of bee stings where mild to moderate reaction has occurred which is localised just to skin. But in severe cases where a severe allergic reaction / anaphylaxis has occurred one must immediately take urgent help from conventional mode of treatment as it is a medical emergency and homeopathy can’t help such cases. In mild to moderate cases with signs and symptoms appearing only on skin homeopathic medicines are very effective to provide quick relief in the sharp, stinging, pricking pain felt on the skin at the site of sting. They are also helpful to reduce the swelling and redness at the site of sting. Additionally they help ease any associated itching or burning sensation experienced at the skin area where bee sting has happened.  

Other than this they are very effective in treating hives arising from bee sting without any other symptom of anaphylaxis. Apart from bee stings , homeopathic medicines are also beneficial for wasp stings and stings from other insects. 

1. Apis Mellifica – First Aid Remedy for Bee Sting

If any homoeopathic doctor be asked the medicine for bee sting the instant reply would be Apis Mellifica. It is highly recommended first aid medicine in homeopathy in case of bee sting. It is the most effective medicine and should be taken immediately after bee sting. It helps in aiding quick relief in the sharp pain and stinging prickling sensation at the site of sting. Further it helps to reduce the swelling and redness of skin at the sting site. Other than this it also brings relief in soreness, burning and smarting sensation that may attend in some of its cases. Itching, if present at a sting site, is also controlled well with this medicine. Next it is also indicated for urticaria / hives that may appear on skin following bee sting (note – it is only indicated for hives here and none other sign and symptom of allergic reaction anaphylaxis like breathing difficulty, rapid pulse rate, low BP, swelling of throat where prompt help from conventional system of medicine is a must). In the case of hives wheals means red raised inflamed itchy patches on skin appear. They have intense burning and stinging pain in them.  They also have intense itching which is intolerable. In most of the cases the itching is worse at night where this medicine is required. Apart from bee sting it is also a top listed medicine for sting of wasps and many other insects.

2. Urtica Urens – For External Application of Tincture on Affected Skin 

This medicine is prepared from a plant known as small stinging – nettle belonging to family urticaceae. This fresh plant in flower is used to make homeopathic medicine. Just like Apis Mellifica, this medicine gives instant, quick relief in bee sting cases. Its use is mainly recommended in form of external application of its tincture at the site of the sting. It is almost a specific medicine used externally on skin in cases of bee stings. Its application can be made in bee sting on any body surface even on the most sensitive parts of face and eyelids. 

3. Carbolic Acid – For Bee Sting with Inflamed Skin, Burning, Itching

Carbolic Acid is the next prominent medicine for bee sting. It is mainly indicated when skin is inflamed and burning itching on affected skin is marked. Pain is present with this which is pricking sticking in nature. Tingling sensation may also appear on affected skin area. 

4. Ledum Pal – For Sting of Bee and other Insects

This medicine is prepared from plant Ledum Palustre having the common name wild rosemary and marsh cistus. This plant belongs to family ericaceae. This is another useful medicine for bee stings and also for wasp sting, yellow jacket sting, stings from other insects and mosquito bites. It helps to ease the pain and reduce the redness of skin.

5. Ipecac – For External Application on Skin

This medicine is prepared from the dried root of plant Cephaelis ipecacuanha that belongs to the family rubiaceae. This is another medicine like Urtica Urens to apply locally on affected skin in tincture form in case of bee sting. It is also indicated for wasp stings and bites of other insects.

Apart from above, some other medicines that can be considered in cases of bee stings include Arnica, Hypericum, Histaminum and Natrum Mur.