How to Treat Bee Stings[3] [12] Many simple bee stings can be treated safely at home with first aid and over-the-counter medications. Here’s a step-by-step guide to bee sting self-care:Get to a safe location. “It is important to clean the area with soap and water, like you would for any wound,” Corley says. “Topical hydrocortisone and oral cetirizine can help with any itching, and ibuprofen or acetaminophen for additional pain control,” Corley says. [7] If you have a known bee venom allergy and carry an epinephrine auto-injector, use it immediately and then call 911.