What is the proper method for removing a honeybee sting?

The proper method for removing a honeybee sting is to scrape it away from the skin. This technique is effective because honeybees leave behind a barbed stinger when they sting, which continues to release venom if not promptly removed. By scraping the stinger out with a flat edge, such as a credit card or a knife blade, you can help minimize the amount of venom that enters the body. This method is also less likely to squeeze the venom sack attached to the stinger, which could release more poison into the skin.

Other methods, such as using tweezers to pinch the stinger, may inadvertently squeeze the venom sack and increase the amount of venom injected into the wound. Irrigating with water or leaving the stinger in place does not effectively remove it and does not alleviate the pain or other potential symptoms associated with bee stings. Therefore, scraping the stinger away is the most effective and recommended method for removal.