Knowing how to treat an insect sting and how to recognise when it needs medical attention will help you do the right thing if you or your child are stung.
Insects such as wasps and bees sting as a defence mechanism (when they feel in danger) by injecting poisonous venom into the skin. For most people, stings are painful but harmless. But some people can have an immediate allergic reaction to being stung, which can be very dangerous.
Allergy to stings
Seek emergency medical treatment if, immediately after being stung, you experience any of the following symptoms:
- swelling or itching anywhere else on your body
- wheezing
- headache
- nausea
- fast heart rate
- dizziness
- feeling faint
- difficulty swallowing
- swollen face or mouth
These symptoms could mean you're having a generalised allergic reaction. This can be fatal.
Treating stings
If you have been stung by an insect and there is a sting left in your skin, remove it as soon as possible. Do this by scraping it off using a hard blunt surface, like the edge of a credit card. Don’t try to pinch the sting out using your fingers or tweezers as this risks spreading venom.
If a child has been stung, a responsible adult should remove the sting. Bee stings have a venomous (poisonous) sac, so take care not to puncture it as you remove the sting.
To treat insect stings:
- Wash the area with soap and water.
- Put a cold flannel on the area.
- Raise the part of the body that has been stung to prevent swelling.
- Use a spray or cream containing local anaesthetic or antihistamine on the affected area to help prevent itching and swelling.
- Take painkillers such as paracetamol (if the sting is very painful).
- Don't scratch the area, as it may become infected.
Ask your GP for advice if any redness or itching is still there after 48 hours.
Find out more about anaphylactic shock (severe allergic reaction).
