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People also ask
How do you treat a hornet sting?
How do you treat a wasp sting at home?
Do Hornets sting?
Do wasps leave Stingers in You?
Do wasps sting?
What happens if you are stung by a wasp?
What to do if you've been bitten or stung by an insect. You can often treat an insect bite or sting without seeing a GP. Removing stingers, ticks or caterpillars. If anything is left on or in your skin, the first thing you need to do is remove it carefully.
- Overview
- Symptoms of a wasp sting
- Anaphylaxis following a wasp sting
- Treating wasp stings
- Wasp sting vs. bee sting
- Wasp sting when pregnant
- Wasp sting in toddlers
- Complications of wasp stings
A wasp sting typically results in an itchy welt. More severe symptoms can be a sign of an allergic reaction.
Wasp stings are common, especially during the warmer months when people are outside for longer periods of time. They can be uncomfortable, but most people recover quickly and without complications.
Wasps, like bees and hornets, are equipped with a stinger for self-defense. A wasp’s stinger contains venom (a poisonous substance) that’s transmitted to humans during a sting.
However, even without a lodged stinger, wasp venom can cause significant pain and irritation. It’s also possible to have a serious reaction if you’re allergic to the venom. In either case, prompt treatment is important for alleviating symptoms and complications.
Normal local reactions
You’re likely to develop a raised welt around the sting site. A tiny white mark may be visible in the middle of the welt where the stinger punctured your skin. Usually, the pain and swelling recedes within several hours of being stung.
Large local reactions
“Large local reactions” is a term used to describe more pronounced symptoms associated with a wasp or bee sting. People who have large local reactions may be allergic to wasp stings, but they don’t experience life-threatening symptoms, such as anaphylactic shock. Large local reactions to wasp stings include extreme redness and swelling that increases for two or three days after the sting. Nausea and vomiting can also occur. Find out what’s happening in your body during an allergic reaction. Most of the time, large local reactions subside on their own over the course of a week or so. Let your doctor know if you have a large local reaction after a wasp sting. They may direct you to take an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine medication (such as Benadryl) to reduce your discomfort. Having a large local reaction after a wasp sting one time doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll react to future stings in the same way. You could have one strong reaction and never show the same symptoms again. However, a large local reaction could be the way your body routinely responds to wasp stings. Try to avoid being stung to prevent these uncomfortable symptoms.
The most severe allergic reactions to wasp stings are referred to as anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis occurs when your body goes into shock in response to wasp venom. Most people who go into shock after a wasp sting do so very quickly. It’s important to seek immediate emergency care to treat anaphylaxis.
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to wasp stings include:
•severe swelling of the face, lips, or throat
•hives or itching in areas of the body not affected by the sting
•breathing difficulties, such as wheezing or gasping
Mild to moderate reactions
You can treat mild and moderate reactions to wasp stings at home. While treating your sting at home, you should: •Wash the sting area with soap and water to remove as much of the venom as possible. •Apply a cold pack to the wound site to reduce swelling and pain. •Keep the wound clean and dry to prevent infection. •Cover with a bandage if desired. Use hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion if itching or skin irritation becomes bothersome. Baking soda and colloidal oatmeal are soothing to the skin and can be used during a bath or through medicated skin creams. OTC pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, can manage pain associated with wasp stings. Antihistamine drugs, including diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine, can reduce itching as well. Take all medications as directed to avoid potential side effects, such as stomach irritation or drowsiness. You should also consider getting a tetanus shot within several days of the sting if you haven’t had a booster shot in the last 10 years.
Vinegar
Vinegar is another possible home remedy that may be used for wasp stings. The theory is that the acidity of vinegar can help neutralize the alkalinity of wasp stings. The opposite is true of bee stings, which are more acidic. To use vinegar on wasp stings, soak a cotton ball with apple cider or white vinegar and place it on top of the affected area of skin. Use slight pressure to help with the pain and inflammation. You can leave the cotton ball on top of your skin for several minutes.
Severe reactions
Severe allergic reactions to wasp stings require immediate medical attention. Overall, up to 0.8 percent of children and 3 percent of adults have insect sting allergies. If you have an EpiPen, administer it as soon as symptoms begin. If you have a history of wasp allergies, administer the EpiPen as soon as you’re stung and then call 911. Treatment for severe allergic reactions to wasp stings can include: •additional epinephrine to calm your immune system •cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if breathing has temporarily stopped •oxygen, steroids, or other medications to improve breathing
Wasp and bee stings can cause similar symptoms, but the treatment measures are slightly different. While a bee can only sting once because its stinger becomes stuck in the skin of its victim, a wasp can sting more than once during an attack. Wasp stingers remain intact.
Unless you’re allergic, most bee stings can be treated at home.
You can remove the bee sting by swiping at the affected area of skin with your fingernail within 30 seconds of getting stung. You can reduce pain and swelling with cold compresses and an OTC medication such as ibuprofen.
If you have a known bee allergy, administer an EpiPen immediately and call 911. You should also see your doctor if an infection occurs. Symptoms include redness, increased swelling, and pus.
Wasp stings can occur at any life stage, including pregnancy. Unless you have a known venom allergy or have had local large reactions in the past, wasp stings aren’t a concern.
You can follow the same treatment measures as someone who isn’t pregnant, but avoid antihistamines containing decongestant ingredients.
While bug bites and stings are often seen as a rite of passage during childhood, this doesn’t make them any less dangerous and uncomfortable. Toddlers are particularly vulnerable because they may not be able to fully verbalize that they’ve been stung by a wasp.
When your toddler is playing outside, be on the lookout for signs of a wasp sting and investigate the source of any tears and complaints immediately.
At a young age, you can teach your children about ways they can prevent wasp stings.
For example, you can show your child what wasps and their nests look like and how to avoid them. Other safety precautions include not walking barefoot outside and avoiding drinking out of sugary drinks that might be left outdoors, as these can attract insects.
In rare cases, wasp stings can contribute to complications involving the nervous system.
A report published in the Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health examined unusual cases in which a pediatric patient experienced muscle weakness, pupil dilation, and motor aphasia following a wasp sting.
Motor aphasia is the impairment of speech and writing abilities.
The patient’s reactions were brought on by a blood clot that was caused by a severe reaction to a wasp sting.
These particular complications are extreme and highly unlikely to occur.
Avoidance is key to preventing wasp stings. You can also talk to your doctor about venom immunotherapy, which is administered as allergy shots.
- Erica Roth
Sep 20, 2024 · Luckily, there are many home remedies and treatments that can be done to alleviate the pain of a wasp sting. Below you will find methods to treat a wasp sting at home to provide quick relief:
Jul 29, 2022 · If you need to treat a wasp or hornet sting, elevate the affected area and remove any tight-fitting clothing. Place an ice pack or wrapped ice cubes over the sting and hold it in place for about 10 minutes. You can repeat this as many times as necessary until the pain and itching subside.
- 1.1M
Feb 8, 2021 · You should protect yourself against hornet stings by remaining calm if you encounter them, covering yourself in protective clothing when outdoors, and using insect repellent.
- Natalie Silver
May 13, 2024 · Learn how to treat and prevent wasp stings with our comprehensive guide. Discover the differences between wasp and bee stings, first aid steps, home remedies, and when to seek medical attention.
May 23, 2024 · There are several things you can do to ease any pain and itchiness: Govind's tips for treating a wasp sting at home. Use a cold compress on the sting site to reduce swelling. Elevate the body part (if it's an arm or leg) to prevent swelling. Use calamine lotion to soothe stinging and irritation.
