Quick Fixes for Bee Stings, Bug Bites, Sunburns, and Other Summer Woes
Updated: Jun. 02, 2020
Along with summer's sunshine and warm weather come bees, blisters, and more hazards. Here's how to stop the pain and itch and get back to the fun.
Bee stings
Often a bee leaves its stinger behind when it jabs into the skin. Carefully remove the stinger by scraping it with a credit card. “If you pull it out with tweezers or your fingers, you may accidentally squeeze the stinger’s venom sac and inject the rest of its venom,” says L. Gail Curtis, MPAS, PA-C, a physician assistant and board chair of the American Academy of PAs. Next, clean with soap and water and apply a cool compress. Hydrocortisone or calamine cream can help relieve pain and itching. After a sting, watch for signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives and swelling away from the site of the sting. If you see these, check with your doctor about how to respond. Swollen lips and/or throat, dizziness, and difficulty breathing or swallowing could all be signs of anaphylaxis—a life-threatening allergic reaction. Call 911.
Mosquito bites
The reality is, mosquito bites are unavoidable during the summer months. But you can treat mosquito bites similarly to bee stings, although you won’t have to worry about a stinger left behind (and severe reactions are rare). Make sure to check out these surprising home remedies for mosquito bites.
Tick bites
Ticks spread Lyme disease and other nasty illnesses, and they’re sneaky. “Most people that get Lyme disease don’t remember getting bitten by a tick,” says Curtis. Some ticks leave behind a tell-tale rash, but many don’t. Take three steps to fight back: First, try to prevent bites by using insect repellent and wearing long pants, secured at the ankle, if you’re spending time in wooded areas or places with tall grass. Second, check skin carefully for ticks after you’ve been outside. Bottom line: Lift it off gently if it’s not embedded. If it has started to burrow into the skin, use tweezers to grab the head and pull outward (without twisting).
Your third line of defense is suspicion. If you live in or visit an area where ticks are prevalent, be vigilant, says Curtis. If you develop a fever or upset stomach, talk to your health-care provider about whether you should take antibiotics to prevent or treat a tick-borne illness.
Jellyfish stings
A painful sting can cast a dark cloud over your sunny day at the beach very quickly. To get relief, you’ll need to remove the tentacles. Rinse with seawater and gently scrape with a credit card or flick off with a cloth. Avoid rubbing the affected area with a towel, as you may force the stingers into the skin. For some types of jellyfish, rinsing with vinegar can help. But that story you’ve heard about urinating on a jellyfish sting to soothe it? A myth, so don’t do it. However, immersing the area in warm water (after stingers are removed) can offer some comfort. So can oral or topical pain relievers, such as lidocaine cream.
Sunburn
You know all about the importance of sun protection, but if you slip up and get a burn, it can be quite uncomfortable. Cool compresses or a bath can help, as can oral pain relievers and medicated lotions (talk to a doctor about whether to give them to kids, and how much). Drink plenty of water to rehydrate the skin, be sure to stay out of the sun until the burn heals, and try one of more unusual sunburn remedies that actually work.
Heat rash
Also called “prickly heat,” this condition can develop in hot and humid weather, usually on areas of the body covered by clothing. Sweat ducts become blocked and swollen, causing small, red, itchy bumps to appear on the skin. Aside from preventing the rash by keeping cool, there isn’t a lot you can do to treat it. Try to get to a cool area out of the sun, drink plenty of water, and give it time. If the rash becomes painful, contact your doctor; it could be infected.
Heat illness and dehydration
Far more serious than prickly heat is dehydration, which can lead to heat illness and stroke. After prolonged exposure to high temperatures, the body’s ability to cool itself may shut down. If untreated, this hyperthermia can lead to organ failure and even death. Symptoms of heat stroke include weakness, headaches, dizziness, and sometimes even a loss of consciousness. Start by getting the victim to a cool, shady area and have them drink water if they can. Cool the outside of their body with cold water, cool cloths (you can even use a T-shirt), and ice. If they don’t respond quickly, call for medical help. “In the summer, you really need to hydrate,” says Curtis. “Just like you need to apply sunscreen before you go out in the sun, you should drink water before you go outdoors or exercise in hot weather.”
Swimmer’s ear
If your child’s ears get red or itchy after swimming, the diagnosis could be swimmer’s ear. It’s caused by bacteria or fungus getting inside the ear while underwater. If prone to these bugs, have your child wear earplugs while swimming.
You can also make a mixture of equal parts alcohol and white vinegar. Before and after swimming, put two drops in the ear, then let them drain out. If these preventive measures fail, try over-the-counter ear drops and make swimming and earbuds off-limits until the ear heals.
Splinters
Whether you’re camping, gardening, or just going barefoot in the summertime, splinters are a risk. If enough of the splinter is exposed and you can grip the end of it with tweezers, it’s usually safe to remove on your own. Clean the area before and after tweezing, and make sure your tweezers are clean too. Don’t dig around under your skin with a needle, though. If the splinter is small, let it work itself out on its own. For a larger splinter, or one that shows any sign of infection (redness, swelling, warm to the touch), contact a medical professional for help.
Blisters
It’s oh-so-tempting, but try not to pop a blister. The skin over the blister is a protective barrier that’s keeping dirt and germs out. Break it, and you increase the risk of infection. Instead, keep the blister covered with an adhesive bandage. If the blister is so painful that you can’t walk or use your hand, check with a doctor.
In some cases it may be okay to drain the blister. Clean the area first and use a needle sterilized with rubbing alcohol. Poke a few holes near the edge of the blister to allow the fluid to drain. Then cover the area with petroleum jelly and gauze. (Here’s some other home remedies for blisters.)
Food-borne illness
It’s not just mayo-based potato salads: Almost any food can become contaminated with bacteria, and this happens more frequently in the summer when we’re cooking and eating outside. Plus, warm temperatures are ideal for bacteria growth. (Start by avoiding these foods that can cause food poisoning.)
If you still get hit with a tummy bug, treat with water (try to stay hydrated!), rest, and patience. And as with any of these summer aches, use common sense. If your condition worsens, or fails to improve with these basic treatments, call a doctor.
Next, learn how to keep everyone safe and healthy with these grilling guidelines.
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