Wasp/Hornet Sting

The term wasp includes many different types of insects, including hornets, yellow jackets, cicada killers, paper wasps, and even mud daubers.

Hornets and wasps look similar to honey bees but have more slender bodies and are more brightly colored, striped yellow/orange, and black. Wasps and hornets are a little more terror-provoking in appearance than regular bees. They are not cute and fuzzy.

Wasps and hornets build nests underground, in trees, or under eaves and roof overhangs. All wasps are carnivorous and feed on insects, spiders, and other small creatures.

All hornets are wasps. Hornets are a subspecies of wasps. Hornets differ from other wasps in that their stings are more venomous and painful than other wasp stings.

The primary difference between all these stinging little monsters is their size and color. Some have black and white bars, and some black and yellow bars, but they can all sting multiple times.

Yellowjackets are the most aggressive of the stinging insects (wasps, hornets, mud daubers, or bees). Yellowjackets want your food, will fight you for it, and can sting AND bite. Like all wasps, yellowjackets stingers are not barbed, and they can sting multiple times and will do so without provocation.

A wasp sting is just as uncomfortable, if not more as a bee sting and burns the same. Though most people only experience localized reactions from wasp stings, some may have more severe allergic reactions, especially after being stung multiple times. About 1 in 10 people stung two or more times become allergic to wasp stings. An allergic reaction means they have severe reactions to subsequent stings.

If you are allergic to wasps, a sting can create a serious health problem requiring immediate attention. Severe allergic reactions include anaphylactic shock, which means they experience difficulty breathing, facial or throat swelling, dizziness, or hives. If you experience symptoms after a wasp sting, seek medical attention immediately, as it may become life-threatening.

If you have a history of allergic reactions to a bee or wasp sting, then it is advised to seek medical attention or at least arm yourself with the tools to deal with it properly.

Home Remedies for a Wasp Sting

Luckily, most people only have minor reactions to a wasp sting and don't require medical attention, as the pain and irritation are usually short-lived.

Here are some natural cures to lessen the mild effects of a wasp or hornet sting and reduce pain and inflammation.

These are some effective home remedies for a wasp/hornet sting to reduce swelling and relieve pain for minor, less severe reactions. Seek medical attention for severe reactions or allergies to wasp stings.

First Steps First Aid

  • After a wasp sting, you most likely won't have the stinger left behind, but if it is, remove it before you do anything else. Scrape the stinger with a credit card to remove it without dislodging the venom sac. Avoid squeezing or pinching the stinger, as this can release more venom. The faster the stinger is removed, the less poison is injected and the less painful the sting.
  • Gently wash and dry the area with mild soap to reduce the chance of infection.
  • Avoid scratching or rubbing the sting area, as it will increase swelling and infection risk and prolong healing time.
  • Minor swelling can be reduced on an extremity by elevating the sting area.

Ice The Sting

Cover the sting with a dry bandaid, gauze, or a clean towel. Apply a cold compress or ice pack on the area for 10 minutes on/10 minutes off for the next hour or two to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. The ice pack should significantly reduce discomfort for the next several hours.

OTC Pain Relievers

Take an OTC (over-the-counter) pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). The medication will help to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Follow the instructions on the packaging.

Calamine Lotion

Calamine lotion reduces itching, pain, and discomfort. It also helps to dry oozing skin from minor irritations. After performing the first aid above, follow the instructions and warnings on the product.

Hydrocortisone Cream

Hydrocortisone cream stops itching and reduces inflammation. Apply directly to the sting site after initial first aid above to soothe irritated areas. Follow all product instructions.

Venom Extractor tool

If you are a frequent camper or at increased risk of stings, a venom extractor is a handy way to reduce the pain and discomfort of all kinds of stings, including mosquito bites. (I found mine on Amazon). This tool is a small syringe with a cup on the end that you place over the sting area. Pulling up on the syringe creates a suction that pulls out the venom of all kinds of bites and stings. By removing the irritant, the body stops producing the reaction that causes itching and inflammation.

Sting Swab/Lidocaine/Benzocaine

Commercial preparations are available to treat insect stings and bites and contain antiseptic and painkillers that help relieve pain and itch to treat bee stings, wasp stings, mosquito bites, jellyfish stings, ants, and spiders.

Severe Reactions

These home remedies temporarily relieve the minor wasp sting symptoms. If you are experiencing severe reactions, have a known allergy to wasp stings, or if symptoms worsen or persist, it's crucial to seek medical attention promptly.

Severe swelling can be helped by using an epinephrine auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) as your doctor prescribes. Monitor for severe allergic reactions such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness, or hives. If you experience any severe symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

If you're concerned about the severity of the sting or if symptoms worsen over time, it's advisable to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and guidance. They can provide specific medical advice based on your situation.

Watch out for symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness, or hives. If you experience any severe symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Avoid scratching: It's essential to resist the urge to scratch the sting site, as it can increase the risk of infection. Scratching may also lead to more significant swelling and prolong the healing process. If you're concerned about the severity of the sting or if symptoms worsen over time, it's advisable to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and guidance. They can provide specific medical advice based on your situation.