If you’ve just been stung by a wasp, move away from the area first, then wash the sting site with soap and water and apply a cold pack for 10 to 20 minutes. Most wasp stings cause pain and swelling that resolve within hours to a few days, and you can manage them entirely at home. Here’s exactly what to do, step by step.
Immediate First Aid Steps
Get away from wherever the sting happened. Wasps can sting multiple times and release chemicals that attract other wasps, so putting distance between you and the nest is the first priority.
Once you’re somewhere safe, gently wash the sting site with soap and water. Unlike honeybees, wasps rarely leave a stinger behind, but check the area and brush away any stinger you see. Then soak a cloth in cold water or wrap ice in it and hold it against the sting for 10 to 20 minutes. This is the single most effective thing you can do to reduce both pain and swelling. If the sting is on your arm or leg, elevating it also helps keep swelling down.
Managing Pain, Swelling, and Itch
A standard over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen will take the edge off. For itching and mild swelling, an antihistamine like cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), or fexofenadine (Allegra) works well. These are the non-drowsy options. You can also apply hydrocortisone cream (0.5% or 1%) or calamine lotion directly to the sting site several times a day until the itching stops.
A paste of baking soda and water applied to the skin is a common home remedy, and the Mayo Clinic includes it among its recommendations, though cold packs and hydrocortisone cream have more consistent results. Skip remedies like rubbing vinegar or toothpaste on the sting. They aren’t well supported and can irritate broken skin.
What Normal Healing Looks Like
For most people, the sharp pain fades within an hour or two, and redness and minor swelling clear up within a few days. You may notice a small, itchy bump at the sting site for a day or so. This is a normal, mild reaction.
Some people develop what’s called a large local reaction: swelling that extends more than about 4 inches (10 cm) around the sting site. This typically starts 6 to 12 hours after the sting, gets worse over the next day or two, and can last 5 to 10 days. It looks alarming, but it isn’t dangerous. It’s more of an exaggerated local allergic response. Antihistamines and cold packs are usually enough to manage it, though if the swelling is very painful or spreading significantly, a doctor may prescribe a short course of oral steroids.
Signs of a Serious Allergic Reaction
A small percentage of people experience anaphylaxis, a whole-body allergic reaction that can become life-threatening within minutes. Call emergency services immediately if you notice any of the following after a sting:
- Hives, widespread flushing, or itching far from the sting site
- Swelling of the face, lips, or throat
- Wheezing, difficulty breathing, or trouble swallowing
- A weak, rapid pulse
- Dizziness, fainting, or loss of consciousness
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Do not wait to see if these symptoms improve on their own. Anaphylaxis can briefly seem to get better and then return, so emergency medical evaluation is necessary even if symptoms start to ease.
Using an Epinephrine Auto-Injector
If the person who was stung carries a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector (like an EpiPen or Auvi-Q), use it right away at the first sign of anaphylaxis. Hold the device in a fist with the needle end pointing down, remove the safety cap with the other hand, and press the needle end firmly into the outer thigh, roughly halfway between the hip and knee. You can inject through clothing. Hold it in place for 3 to 10 seconds (depending on the brand), then remove it straight out and massage the area. Call emergency services even after giving the injection.
Signs of Infection
Wasp stings don’t typically get infected on their own. The main risk factor is scratching. Your fingernails carry bacteria that can enter the broken skin and cause a secondary infection. Watch for increasing redness, warmth, pus, or pain that gets worse after the first day rather than better. A red streak spreading away from the sting site is another warning sign. These symptoms suggest a bacterial skin infection that needs medical attention.
Multiple Stings
When someone is stung many times at once, the sheer volume of venom can cause a toxic reaction even without an allergy. Symptoms include widespread muscle aches, fever, nausea, and in severe cases, kidney problems. Research on multiple-sting cases suggests that 20 or more stings, particularly on the head and neck, carry a higher risk of serious toxic effects. If you or someone near you has been stung many times, seek medical evaluation even if no allergic symptoms appear.