What to Do for a Wasp Sting

A wasp sting usually produces an itchy, painful bump. While it can be unpleasant, most people recover quickly without lasting problems. Read on to learn how to manage a wasp sting.

Wasp stings are frequent, particularly in warmer weather when people spend more time outdoors.

Like bees and hornets, wasps have a stinger they use defensively. The stinger delivers venom (a toxic compound) into humans during a sting.

Even if a stinger isn’t left behind, wasp venom can still cause notable pain and irritation. People who are allergic to the venom may also have a severe reaction. In either situation, prompt care helps lessen symptoms and reduce complications.

Symptoms of a wasp sting

Most individuals without sting allergies will experience only mild symptoms after a wasp sting. Initial signs can include:

• sharp pain
• a burning sensation at the sting location
• skin discoloration
• swelling
• itching

Typical localized reactions

A raised welt commonly forms around the sting site. You may notice a little discolored spot in the center of the welt where the stinger pierced the skin. Generally, pain and swelling fade within 1 to 2 hours after being stung.

Extensive local reactions

“Large local reactions” describes more intense symptoms after a wasp or bee sting. People who have these reactions may be allergic to wasp venom, though they typically do not experience life-threatening signs like anaphylaxis.

Large local reactions can involve marked discoloration and swelling that worsens for 2 or 3 days after the sting. Nausea and vomiting can also occur.

These pronounced local reactions usually resolve on their own over about a week.

Anaphylaxis after a wasp sting

The most serious allergic responses to wasp stings are called anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis happens when the body goes into shock from wasp venom. Most people who develop shock after a sting do so rapidly. Immediate emergency care is essential to treat anaphylaxis.

Signs of a severe allergic reaction to wasp stings include:

• marked swelling of the face, lips, or throat
• hives or itching affecting parts of the body not near the sting
• difficulty breathing, such as wheezing or gasping
• dizziness
• a sudden fall in blood pressure
• lightheadedness
• loss of consciousness
• diarrhea
• abdominal cramps
• a weak or very rapid pulse

You may not have every one of these symptoms after a wasp sting, but if you are severely allergic you’re likely to experience some of them with subsequent stings.

Anaphylactic shock is a medical emergency that demands prompt treatment. Learn more about this condition, including what to do if someone you know is having it.

Treating wasp stings

Mild to moderate reactions

Mild and moderate reactions to wasp stings can usually be managed at home. While treating a sting yourself, you should:

• clean the area with soap and water to remove as much venom as possible
• apply a cold pack to lower swelling and ease pain
• keep the area clean and dry to prevent infection
• cover with a bandage if you prefer

The following home remedies may also be helpful:

• hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion for bothersome itching or skin irritation
• baking soda or colloidal oatmeal in a bath or as medicated creams to soothe the skin
• over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen, to manage pain from the sting
• antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine, to reduce itching

Severe reactions

Severe allergic responses to wasp stings need urgent medical care. Overall, up to 0.8 percent of children and 3 percent of adults have insect sting allergies.

If you carry an EpiPen, use it as soon as symptoms start. If you know you are allergic to wasp venom, use the EpiPen immediately after being stung and then call 911.

Medical treatment for severe allergic reactions to wasp stings may include:

• additional epinephrine to calm the immune response
• cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if breathing stops
• oxygen, steroids, or other medications to support breathing

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Wasp sting vs. bee sting

Wasp and bee stings produce similar symptoms, but there are slight differences in how they are treated. Bees can sting only once because their stinger becomes embedded in the victim’s skin; wasps can sting repeatedly because their stingers remain intact.

Unless you have an allergy, most bee stings can be handled at home.

If you have a known bee allergy, use an EpiPen immediately and call 911.

Wasp sting during pregnancy

Wasp stings can happen at any point in life, including during pregnancy. Unless you have a known venom allergy or a history of large local reactions, wasp stings are generally not dangerous.

You can use the same treatment steps as someone who isn’t pregnant, but avoid antihistamines that contain decongestants.

While a typical wasp sting won’t harm an unborn baby, a severe allergic reaction can. It’s important to use an EpiPen if necessary and call 911 for anaphylaxis.

Wasp sting in toddlers

Although insect bites and stings are common in childhood, they can still be painful and potentially dangerous. Toddlers are especially at risk because they may not clearly communicate that they’ve been stung.

When young children play outdoors, watch for signs of a wasp sting and check promptly if they cry or complain.

You can teach children early how to reduce the risk of wasp stings.

For example, show them what wasps and nests look like and how to steer clear of them. Other precautions include avoiding walking barefoot outdoors and not drinking from uncovered sweet beverages left outside, which can attract insects.

Complications of wasp stings

In uncommon instances, wasp stings can lead to complications, such as:

• failure of multiple organs
• neurological issues, like seizures
• cardiac symptoms, including rapid heart rate and arrhythmias

If you have a venom allergy, discuss venom immunotherapy (allergy shots) with your doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a wasp sting last?

Symptoms after a wasp sting usually last 1 to 2 hours, though pain and swelling may take several days to fully subside in some cases.

Do wasps leave stingers in you?

Unlike bees, wasps do not leave their stingers behind. Wasps can sting multiple times without losing a stinger.

Takeaway

A wasp sting can be painful and uncomfortable, but most people recover quickly without complications.

In rare cases, a severe allergic reaction can occur in people who are allergic to the venom. Prompt treatment is important to reduce symptoms and complications.

For mild symptoms, stings are often managed at home with OTC pain relievers and topical treatments like hydrocortisone.

Serious allergic reactions require immediate medical care. If you have an EpiPen, use it at the first sign of symptoms. If you have a known wasp allergy, administer the EpiPen immediately after a sting and call 911.