Use a knife, bankcard or your fingernail to gently scrape out the bee sting before cleaning the area concerned.

Avoid squeezing the sting as this may inject further venom into your skin.

Take particular care if you are allergic to bee stings, as they can cause an severe reaction known as anaphylactic shock, which can be potentially life threatening. If you know that you are allergic, carry an adrenalin injection and antihistamine pills at all times.

Remember you can develop an allergy to bees at any time in your life, even if you have never been allergic before.