Remove a bee stinger by scraping sideways with the edge of a credit card or fingernail. Don't use tweezers or squeeze — this pushes more venom in.
Wash the sting or bite with soap and water. Apply a cold pack wrapped in cloth for 10 to 15 minutes.
Use fine-tipped tweezers. Grab the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure — do not twist, jerk, crush, or burn.
Oral antihistamine (Benadryl or Zyrtec) reduces itching and mild swelling. Calamine lotion or 1% hydrocortisone cream on the bite helps locally.
Monitor for: face, throat, or lip swelling, difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, dizziness, or spreading hives. These signal anaphylaxis.
Burns hurt — that's your body protecting itself. Cooling it down right now is the single most important thing you can do. You're already helping.
Scrapes sting sharply and look dramatic — that's completely normal. They're almost always surface level. You've got this.
Bruises look alarming — that vivid colour is just blood that pooled under the skin. It's almost always harmless and it will fade.
Guidance only — in any emergency, call 911.