Seek immediate medical attention if their tongue swells, they’re having trouble breathing, blurred vision or nausea, or you see skin rash or flushing.

WHILE AWAITING MEDICAL ATTENTION:
Check to see if carrying an EpiPen.
Remove the stinger. Being careful not to squeeze the venom sac at the stinger’s base, gently drag a fingernail edge or a credit card across the stinger in the direction opposite from its entry.

AT-HOME FIRST AID
After extracting the stinger, wash with soap and water before finding relief.
Mud and freshly chewed plantain leaf help, or try baking soda (mix with vinegar into paste), onion (lay fresh slices over wound) or dip a clean cloth in milk, wring out, fold and apply.
Two drops of lavender essential oil are also effective applied topically.

Adapted from The Natural First Aid Handbook by Brigitte Mars (Storey Publishing).