A wasp sting delivers venom that immediately causes sharp, burning pain, followed by localized irritation, redness, and swelling. Many people confuse wasp stings with bee stings, but this distinction is important because it affects the first step of treatment. Understanding the nature of the insect that stung you determines the immediate action needed to manage the injury.
Identifying the Need for Removal
Unlike the honey bee, which has a barbed stinger that anchors in the skin, the wasp has a smooth stinger. This allows the wasp to retract its stinger quickly and sting multiple times without leaving it behind. Consequently, a physical stinger is rarely present after a wasp sting. If a stinger is visible, it is likely from a honey bee or a fragment of the wasp’s venom apparatus. Inspect the sting site immediately for a small, dark object protruding from the skin, often with a visible venom sac attached. Removal is necessary only if a lodged stinger or fragment is confirmed; otherwise, proceed directly to symptom management.
Safe Removal Techniques
If a stinger is visible, removing it quickly is the priority to minimize the amount of venom injected. The venom sac attached to a lodged stinger can continue to pump venom into the skin for a short period. Use a scraping motion with a blunt, straight edge to remove the stinger rather than squeezing it.
A credit card, the edge of a blunt knife, or a firm fingernail can be used to gently flick or scrape the stinger out of the skin. This technique prevents the compression of the venom sac, which could inject more venom into the wound. Avoid using tweezers or pinching the skin, as the pressure can squeeze remaining venom into the tissue, worsening the local reaction. The speed of removal is more important than the exact method to reduce the total dose of venom received.
Post-Removal Symptom Management
After confirming the stinger is removed or absent, clean the area thoroughly with soap and water to wash away residual venom and reduce the risk of infection. Apply a cold compress or an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the sting site. Cold application helps constrict blood vessels, reducing swelling and pain.
Keep the cold pack on the area for 10 minutes, remove it for 10 minutes, and repeat this cycle as needed. Over-the-counter medications can manage the localized symptoms. An oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine, helps relieve itching, while pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen address pain and discomfort. Topical creams containing hydrocortisone or calamine lotion may also be applied to soothe localized redness and itching.
Recognizing Severe Reactions
While most wasp stings result only in localized pain and swelling, a small percentage of people can experience a severe, systemic allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention and can develop within seconds or minutes of the sting.
Symptoms that signal a severe reaction include swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue, which can cause difficulty breathing or wheezing. Other signs include dizziness, fainting, a rapid or weak pulse, or widespread hives distant from the sting site.
If an individual has a known allergy and carries an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen), it should be administered immediately according to instructions. Following injection or if a severe reaction is suspected, contact emergency medical services immediately, as anaphylaxis can rapidly become life-threatening.