Wasp Stings - What you should know

Besides experiencing soreness and a bit of itching where a wasp has stung them, most people don’t agonise a lot as a result of wasp stings. Still, everyone seeks a way to alleviate the pain and help stings heal faster. But if you’re allergic, your body will react in more severe ways and sometimes professional medical help might be required. Below we’ll explore the wasp sting treatments that are out there as well as cases in which you need to consult a doctor.

Some quick facts about wasp stings

• Wasps have alkali stings. It is considered that you can neutralise the venom with vinegar or other acidic substances - a common mistreatment which we’ll touch upon later;
• When stinging, wasps release a pheromone that attracts and aggravates other nearby wasps and causes them to join the attack;
• A wasp sting usually wears off in the first 24 hours but some people may develop allergic reactions with symptoms that can last for days;
• Only the female wasps sting. Males, also known as drones, do not have a stinger;
• Unlike bees, wasps can sting their target repeatedly without getting hurt.

How to treat a wasp sting - first aid tips

Although quite painful, wasp stings fade relatively quickly and are harmless for most people. Unlike bees, wasps will not leave their stinger in your skin, so there’s no need to look for it or try to remove it. Some quick actions you can take to relieve the pain include:

• Wash the affected area with soap and water;
• Apply an ice pack to the skin;
• If possible, elevate the area to reduce swelling;
• Apply an antihistamine cream onto the sting for a quick relief;
• Do not scratch the area no matter how itchy it is. This way, you will prevent swelling and will reduce the risk of infection;
• Avoid home remedies such as lemon and vinegar as they are unlikely to reduce the symptoms.

Image by: Robbie Sproule / CC BY 2.0

When should you seek medical advice

If you experience wasp stings for the first time and are worried, contact your GP to get professional advice and reassurance. You should also get in touch with a medical professional if:

• Your symptoms do not subside, or get worse in the next few days;
• The sting affects a sensitive body area such as mouth, throat or eyes;
• You develop infection symptoms. Local symptoms affect the wounded area and include severe pain, pus, redness, and swelling. Symptoms of a widespread infection, also known as general infection, include swollen glands, fever, and other flu-like symptoms.

When should you seek emergency help

If you are allergic to wasp stings, do not postpone calling an ambulance. Although anaphylactic shock is rare, it can still occur and it’s important to remember that it’s life-threatening. Get help if you develop three or more of the following symptoms:

• Severe swelling, itchiness and skin rash;
• Burning sensation on the skin or swollen throat and tongue;
• At times, lack of oxygen may cause the skin to appear bluish - a phenomenon known as cyanosis;
• Shortness of breath, wheezing or stridor, not necessarily all at once;
• A cough or pain when swallowing;
• Lightheadedness, headache, confusion or anxiety, even loss of consciousness;
• Abdominal pain, vomiting, slow or fast heart rate.

Home remedies for bee and wasp stings - do they work?

What doesn’t work

The following often suggested wasp treatments have no scientific evidence to back up the claims that they work: Garlic, onions, vinegar, lemons, saliva, and tea tree oil all have no proof of being effective in treating wasp and insect stings.

Additionally, it is considered that acidic substances neutralize the alkali venom of wasp stings. However, the venom is comprised of many different ingredients that are causing the pain, so neutralising just the acidic ones won’t do much. Moreover, the venom is injected deep under the skin and spreads through the nearby tissue -- applying any ingredient topically onto the surface will not neutralise the venom.

Read more about wasps >

Treatments that work

• Ice - A great way to reduce swelling and redness from a wasp sting by slowing down the blood flow near the sting. Wrap a few ice cubes or an ice pack in a towel and place it on the affected area. Leave it for about 15 to 20 minutes and apply an antihistamine cream after.
• Cucumber - Fresh cucumber slices can also cool the area and provide you with temporary relief.
• Hot water - Run the affected area under water as hot as you can handle for a few seconds. Studies have shown that this helps to reduce swelling, itching and pain.
• Antihistamine - Products containing antihistamine relieve itching and ease swelling. You can either use creams for local application or take it in the form of pills. Make sure to consult your GP beforehand and read the product labels carefully.
• Menthol - With its cooling qualities, menthol and products containing it are a great anti-itch treatment. Apply it to relieve the symptoms of wasp stings.
• Painkillers - You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease the pain, though since stings are generally not that painful, you’ll likely won’t need to.

However, you should keep in mind that if the wasp nest near your home has a lot of inhabitants, you should have it a wasp nest treatment to prevent wasp stings.