Aromatherapy - Lavender or Tea Tree Oil applied neat may sooth the sting and reduce the chances of infection. If a systematic reaction begins - Get help. Patients demonstrating hypersensitivity should carry an emergency kit at all times and it is a good idea if one person in the group might carry one of these in their bike bag. In a Severe Allergic reaction the person may experience severe difficulty in breathing and even stop breathing within the first few minutes. A tourniquet or constricting bandage can be applied to the limb on which the sting occurred so as to stop the spread of the venom.
Cold compresses help to reduce circulation near the sting.
Anaphylaxis is the most severe allergic reaction - the extreme end of the allergic spectrum. For some, there may be a tingling or itching under the arms or a swelling in the mouth - nothing more, which is what I felt initially. These minor symptoms are not serious in itself, and may be treated with oral antihistamines and cold packs. In fact, an antihistamine is a usual thing to take after a sting to minimize these kinds of symptoms. But these symptoms do mark an allergic reaction as opposed to a simple response to a sting.