Bee and wasp stings: first aid¶
Emergency numbers differ by country. This page uses 911, the number for the United States and Canada. Many other countries use 112, 999, or another number. Find the number for your country.
Most stings hurt for a short time and then fade. This page shows you how to remove a stinger, ease the pain, and spot the signs of a dangerous allergic reaction.
Do this now¶
- Move away from the insects. If a swarm is chasing you, run to a car or a building and cover your face with your shirt or hands as you go.
- Look at the person for signs of a severe allergic reaction: swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing, or faintness. If you see any of these, call your local emergency number (911 in the United States and Canada, 112 across the European Union, 999 in the United Kingdom).
- Scrape out the stinger if it is still in the skin.
- Wash the area with soap and water.
- Hold a cold pack wrapped in cloth, or a cold wet cloth, on the sting.
Remove the stinger¶
Honey bees leave a stinger in the skin. Wasps and hornets usually do not. Remove the stinger quickly, because it keeps releasing venom for a short time.
Scrape it sideways with a fingernail or the edge of a bank card. Do not squeeze it or pull it with tweezers, which can push more venom into the skin. Speed matters more than the method, so use whatever works first.
Ease the pain and swelling¶
Wash the sting with soap and water. Put a cold pack wrapped in cloth, or a cold wet cloth, on it for at least 20 minutes. Raise the area if you can, such as resting a stung hand on a pillow.
Try not to scratch. Scratching can break the skin and lead to infection. Redness, swelling and itching around the sting can last a day or two, and a swollen area of several centimeters (a few inches) can still be a normal local reaction.
A pharmacist can suggest products for pain and itching. Follow the label, and ask a health professional if you are unsure.
Signs of a severe allergic reaction¶
A severe allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis, usually starts within minutes of a sting. It is an emergency.
- Swelling of the lips, face, tongue or throat
- A tight throat, trouble swallowing, or a hoarse voice
- Fast or difficult breathing, or wheezing
- Dizziness, fainting, or sudden confusion
- Pale, blue or grey skin or lips
- Hives or an itchy rash spreading over the body
... danger "Call for help first" If you see these signs, call your local emergency number right away and say you think it is a severe allergic reaction. If the person has their own epinephrine (adrenaline) auto-injector, help them use it as the device instructions say. Then follow the steps on our allergic reactions page.
Helping someone use their own auto-injector¶
People with a known allergy often carry an auto-injector. Ask them if they have one, and help them get it from their bag.
Every brand works a little differently, so read the instructions printed on the device. Use only the person's own prescribed device, and follow the emergency dispatcher's advice about whether to use a second one. Keep the person lying down with their legs raised, and do not let them stand or walk, even if they feel better. Stay with them until responders arrive.
Multiple stings¶
Many stings at once can be dangerous even for a person with no allergy, because the body takes in a lot of venom. Call your local emergency number if someone has been stung many times, and especially if it is a child or an older adult.
Get the person away from the insects first. Scrape out any stingers you can see, and watch for dizziness, vomiting, stomach pain, or trouble breathing while you wait for help.
Stings in the mouth or throat¶
A sting inside the mouth or throat can swell and block the airway. This can happen even in people with no allergy, such as when an insect is hidden in a drink can.
Call your local emergency number right away. While you wait, have the person sit upright, and give them small pieces of ice to suck if they can swallow safely. Do not give food or drink to someone who has trouble swallowing or breathing. Stings near the eyes also need medical advice.
Swarms¶
If bees or wasps swarm, do not swat at them. Swatting can make them more aggressive.
- Run in a straight line to a car or building
- Cover your face and neck with your shirt, jacket or hands
- Close the doors and windows behind you
- Keep running until the insects stop following you, because they can follow for some distance
- Do not jump into water, since insects may wait for you to come up
Once you are safe, remove stingers and check everyone for signs of an allergic reaction.
When to get medical advice¶
Contact a doctor or your local health service if the sting is hot, very red or leaking pus after a day or two, if swelling keeps spreading, or if you have a fever. Get advice too if the person has had a serious allergic reaction to a sting before, even if this sting seems mild.
... note "Take a course" A Red Cross or similar first aid course teaches you how to recognize an allergic reaction and help with an auto-injector, with hands on practice.