I just found this thread and maybe since you deal with bees you can help me, Two days ago I was on my patio when I was stung by two bees, once on the back of each hand, they are very swollen and itch like mad,, kept me up the last two nights, I purchaste some cortizone cream for itching but it doesn't help much, I sur would like some relief.

Doris there are so many remedies for bee stings that it's hard to know which would work or not work.
Generally, the itching lasts a week. Ice packs can reduce the swelling. If you have some local honey on hand try putting some on the stings and see if that helps.
I'm not much help since I've not been stung by our bees and DH just suffers them though he is mildly allergic to their stings.

Welcome to the beekeeping forum.

Doris, try taking some antihistamine like Benadryl & a Tylenol. One for the poison, one for swelling & pain. You can also try soaking a pad in Witch Hazel & hold it on the places for a couple minutes several times per day.

Now, next time you get stung by any kind of wasp or bee or hornet. A) Scrape the stinger out --- do NOT pinch it to pull it out; that will just squeeze the rest of the poison into you. Use your fingernail to scrape the skin & remove the stinger & it's attached poison sac. B) Get some household ammonia on the stings as quickly as possible. The ammonia breaks down the protein in the venom thereby rendering it less toxic. It WORKS!

Thanks Ann I was hoping you would pop in to help with this.

Sure thing Margaret. Funny thing is I didn't discover the ammonia trick until maybe 10 years ago (after) we weren't working with bees. I read it somewhere or someone told me --- I can't even remember. But one day I picked up the hose & on the end was a wasp & he nailed my index finger like you wouldn't believe!!!!! I was a few steps from the back porch & the back door from there to the kitchen. I ran inside & grabbed the ammonia from under the sink & just stuck my finger in the bottle. I kept it there for about 30 seconds. Much to my delight; it worked like a charm. It immediately took the pain away & you know how wasps hurt --- DANG! --- & my finger just barely got red & only a tiny bit swollen which ALL went away by nightfall. Since then I've used that ammonia trick many times --- even got a hornet sting on my upper lip & used it. It's amazing how well it works!
I also used the ammonia trick on multiple stings from a saddle back caterpillar & it worked like a charm.

Owwww for the one on your lip. I'll have to remember that trick next time DH gets stung by something. He gets really peeved at the bees for stinging him but not me grin. I told him it was because they know I'm doing my best to feed them close by. We can be standing out there not far apart when they are feeling aggressive and they will always sting him but not me. I've had them land on me but never been stung by them.

They just know you're sweet!