Carica papaya
Papaya, the tropical fruit, can be applied to bee stings as a home remedy.
Papaya as a home remedy for bee stings
Many people believe that you must be very careful not to squeeze the venom sack when removing a bee sting. This is not supported by research. The most important thing is to remove the stinger as quickly as possible by any means. Be careful not to break the stinger and leave it buried in the skin.
Method
- Remove stinger as soon as possible. A tweezers or something like a credit card that can be used to scrape out the stinger are good tools; a deft pair of fingers may work as well.
- Rub fresh papaya directly on bee sting wound.
- Any type of papaya will work. Green, unripe papaya, however, has the highest concentration of the effective ingredient.
Why agent works
Papaya contains papain, an enzyme found in papayas, that breaks down proteins and lessens the effect of the venom.
Precautions
If you have a latex allergy, do not use papaya as an topical application. If any rash or skin irritation results, rinse thoroughly and discontinue use immediately.
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