How Is a Wasp Sting Treated?
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Medically reviewed by Jurairat J. Molina, MD
Getting stung by a wasp can be immensely painful, and typically leads to a reaction of swelling, redness, and itching around the sting site. Fortunately, if you have a normal reaction to a wasp sting, you can usually treat it at home with over-the-counter medications.
People who are allergic to wasp stings may experience an abnormal reaction of hives, abdominal cramping, difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, dizziness, and potentially a loss of consciousness. In these cases, it's important to get immediate medical attention.
There are several steps to treat wasp stings at home as well as medication options for both standard and allergic reactions. You can also take certain precautions to prevent getting a wasp sting again.
Immediate First Aid
A wasp sting can cause immediate and intense pain. You also are likely to experience redness, itching, and possibly swelling. If you are stung by a wasp, take the following steps to clean the sting and relieve pain:
Check the ABCs: When someone gets stung by a wasp, it is important to check for an allergic reaction. This can be done by remembering to check the ABCs—or airway, breathing, and circulation. As long as the person appears fine, you can move on to the next step. If they are having trouble breathing or their throat is swelling, call 911 right away.
Remove the stinger: If you locate a stinger, scrape the stinger out using a credit card or the dull side of a knife, rather than using a pulling motion. If you try to pull the stinger out with your fingers or tweezers, you might squeeze more venom into the skin. Getting the stinger out right away will lessen your exposure to the venom.
Wash the area: Using soap and water, thoroughly wash the area where you were stung. Be sure to pat it dry. Do not rub the area as this could cause further irritation. You also should avoid scratching.
Apply ice: Ice or cold compresses can be used for 10 to 15 minutes at a time to reduce pain and swelling. You can try using the compress 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off to keep swelling down and help control itching.
Keep the affected area still: If possible, try to sit still and keep the affected area from moving. This will prevent the venom from spreading. You also should loosen clothing, remove rings, and take off anything else that could be impacted by swelling.
Make a baking soda paste: To help neutralize the venom and reduce the itching, you can try making a paste with baking soda and water and applying that to the skin. Keep in mind, though, you may need to use an over-the-counter cream instead. The response to a sting will vary from person to person, so you will need to figure out what works for you.
Allergic Reactions to Wasp Sings
Life-threatening allergic reactions to wasp stings can escalate very quickly and require immediate medical intervention. You should administer epinephrine (EpiPen) and have someone else call 911. In the emergency room, a healthcare provider can administer antihistamines, and in some cases, corticosteroids, intravenous fluids, and oxygen. Once you are stabilized, you may be kept in the hospital overnight for close observation.
Medications
Treating wasp stings with medication will depend on your symptoms and their severity. For people who have a normal reaction to a wasp sting, treatment at home with over-the-counter (OTC) medications will usually suffice. Those who have an allergic reaction will need immediate medical attention and life-saving medications like epinephrine.
Also, if you have not had a tetanus shot recently, you may want to do so, regardless of the type of reaction you have. It is possible to develop tetanus—or a severe bacterial infection—from a wasp sting. Here are some of the other medications used to treat wasp stings.
Over-the-Counter Medications
If you have a normal reaction to a wasp sting, you will likely experience some pain, swelling, and redness that is confined to the area where you were stung. You can treat these symptoms with OTC medications.
Even if you have a large local reaction—meaning you experience swelling that goes beyond the sting site—you can usually treat these reactions with OTC medications. (A very large local reaction may require medical attention). Some common medications used to treat both normal and local reactions include:
Oral antihistamines: These medications, like Claritin (loratadine) or Zyrtec (cetirizine), can help relieve itching and reduce the allergic response. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) also can be used, but you may want to ask a healthcare provider if this is right for you or your family member.
Pain relievers: Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like Advil (ibuprofen) may help alleviate the pain associated with a wasp sting.
Creams: Applying a 1% hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion may help relieve itching.
Prescription Medications
Less than 1% of people will experience an extreme allergic reaction to wasp stings known as anaphylaxis. Because these reactions are life-threatening and can impact breathing, blood pressure, and consciousness, they are treated with epinephrine.
Epinephrine, or adrenaline, is a hormone and a medication that can be self-administered with an auto-injector (EpiPen). If the reaction is too severe, someone else can also administer the drug.
Even if epinephrine helps the person feel better, they should still go to the emergency room as symptoms can resurface. Once at the hospital, the allergic person may receive other drugs, too. These may include corticosteroids, intravenous fluids, oxygen, and other treatments.
Prevention
There are several things you can do to minimize your chance of getting stung by a wasp in the first place. To help prevent wasp stings, you can:
Stay covered in gardens and wooded, grassy areas. Tuck in your shirt, wear shoes and socks, and use gloves when working outside.
Wear clean clothing, avoid perfumes, and bathe before going out (sweat can anger bees).
Go inside if you get stung; wasps release a chemical when they sting that can lead other wasps to attack.
Move to the shade to get away from insects rather than stay in an open area.
Refrain from swatting at wasps as this could provoke them (try gently blowing on them from a distance).
Keep food covered when eating outside. Avoid leaving out sweet drinks and serve beverages in clear containers so that wasps and other bees are clearly visible.
Remember that insect repellents, including those containing DEET, are not effective against wasps.
Keep the plants and trees near your home trimmed—thick plants and other vegetation can provide hiding spots for wasps. You may want to limit the number of flowering plants near your home if someone in your family is allergic to bees or wasps.
Rinse cans and other containers before putting them in the recycling or garbage containers. Place garbage in sealed containers.
Contact a licensed pest professional if you suspect a hive or infestation.
Venom Immunotherapy
According to allergists, people who have experienced an allergic reaction to an insect sting have a 60% chance of experiencing a similar or worse reaction if they get stung again. For this reason, many people consider venom immunotherapy to prevent future allergic reactions.
This type of therapy, which is administered by an allergist, involves giving the allergic person gradually increasing doses of venom. Over time, this decreases their sensitivity to the venom and reduces the likelihood that they will experience a serious allergic reaction.
Some people have to continue immunotherapy for the protective effects to last while others can go through a course of treatment and have lasting protection. Determining how long you will need venom immunotherapy if you are allergic to wasps is best done in collaboration with an allergist.
A Quick Review
The pain from a wasp sting is immediate and usually followed by redness and mild swelling. There are a number of ways to treat the sting at home including removing the stinger, applying ice, and elevating the area. You also can apply either a hydrocortisone cream or a baking soda paste to control itching as well as take antihistamines and over-the-counter pain relievers.
If you are allergic to wasp stings, you may experience a more severe reaction including hives and trouble breathing. Allergic reactions require immediate medical attention usually beginning with epinephrine.
You can take steps to prevent getting stung by a wasp again, like keeping your skin and food covered when outside. You also can consider venom immunotherapy to reduce the likelihood of severe reactions in the future.
Related: Insect Stings: Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention
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