Ouch, a bee sting hurts. Bees produce a venom that their stinger delivers into the skin of a sting victim. A sac of venom is attached to the stinger, and it pumps a toxic venom at the sting site.

The following 6 methods will relieve the pain and reduce the swelling that often accompanies a sting.

#1 Remove the stinger and the sac of venom by scraping over the sting area with the edge of a credit card or your fingernail.

#2 For immediate pain relief, press an ice cube on the site or a cold compress.

#3 Make a baking soda and water paste. Spread the paste over the sting area to lessen pain and the itching sensation that often accompanies a bee sting or apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion.

#4 Take an anti-histamine medication to reduce an allergic reaction of swelling and itching.

#5 An over-the-counter painkiller like acetaminophen or ibuprofen helps manage pain.

#6 If you have difficulty breathing, dizziness or severe swelling after a bee sting, seek immediate medical attention