You and a friend are walking through a field. Your friend is stung by a bee. What should you do?
1. Remain calm and help your friend stay calm as well. Panic can worsen the situation.
2. Assess the situation: Check if your friend is having an allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing, hives, or swelling of face, lips, or tongue. If they have a known allergy and carry an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen), help them use it.
3. If your friend is experiencing a severe allergic reaction, call emergency services immediately.
4. If your friend is not experiencing a severe allergic reaction, then remove the stinger if it is still in the skin. Use a flat-edged object like a credit card to scrape the stinger out of the skin by applying gentle pressure. Do not try to pull the stinger out; this can release more venom into the skin.
5. Once stinger is removed, wash the area with soap and water to help prevent infection.
6. Apply a cold pack or ice wrapped in a cloth to reduce pain and swelling. Apply for 10-15 minutes, and then take a break for at least an hour before reapplying.
7. To alleviate any pain, your friend can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
8. To help manage itching or redness, apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to the affected area.
9. Keep an eye on the sting area and your friend's symptoms for any signs of infection or worsening symptoms. If necessary, consult a doctor.