What happens when wasp stings you

It is strongly recommended that you hire a licensed pest control operator to destroy any wasp nests on your property. This is particularly important if you have experienced an allergic reaction to a wasp sting in the past or if you have never been stung and are unsure of your allergy status to wasp venom.

It may help to locate the nest before you call your local council or pest control operators, since the nest may not be on your property. Suggestions on how to locate the nest include:. You can reduce the population of European wasps around your home and reduce the risk of stings in a number of ways.

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. The type of pain felt in the abdomen can vary greatly. Children may feel stomach pain for a range of reasons and may need treatment. Severe allergic reactions anaphylaxis and asthma attacks need urgent emergency first aid. In an emergency, always call triple zero Allergies to insect stings and bites range from milder allergic reactions to life-threatening, severe allergic reactions anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that requires urgent medical attention. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.

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The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. First Aid. Home First Aid. European wasp. Actions for this page Listen Print.

Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Physical characteristics of the European wasp Symptoms of a wasp sting Severe allergic reactions When to call an ambulance First aid for less severe stings First aid if allergic to wasp venom Application of a pressure immobilisation bandage How to locate the nest Precautions against the European wasp Where to get help. Physical characteristics of the European wasp The characteristics of the European wasp include: Looks similar in size and shape to a bee Around 15mm in length a Queen is about 20mm long Bright yellow body with triangle-shaped markings Two long antennae The wings are folded when at rest.

Symptoms of a wasp sting Unlike a bee, which can only sting once and leaves the stinger behind in the skin , the European wasp can sting repeatedly. The sting of a European wasp has certain features, including: Burning pain Raised lump Redness Local inflammation. Severe allergic reactions Although they are painful, isolated wasp stings seldom cause serious problems. Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include: Itchy, burning or reddened skin Swelling to the mouth, tongue or throat Difficulty breathing or swallowing Noisy breathing Abdominal cramps or nausea Sudden feeling of weakness or collapse Increased heart rate Palpitations, chest pain or tightness Strange metallic taste in the mouth Children may be pale and floppy Unconsciousness.

When to call an ambulance You should seek urgent medical attention if: A child is stung more than 5 times An adult is stung more than 10 times Anyone is stung in the mouth or throat, as swelling in these areas can block the airways There is a severe allergic reaction There is a history of an allergic reaction to European wasp stings.

You can remove the bee sting by swiping at the affected area of skin with your fingernail within 30 seconds of getting stung.

You can reduce pain and swelling with cold compresses and an OTC medication such as ibuprofen. If you have a known bee allergy, administer an EpiPen immediately and call You should also see your doctor if an infection occurs.

Symptoms include redness, increased swelling, and pus. Wasp stings can occur at any life stage, including pregnancy. When your toddler is playing outside, be on the lookout for signs of a wasp sting and investigate the source of any tears and complaints immediately. For example, you can show your child what wasps and their nests look like and how to avoid them.

Other safety precautions include not walking barefoot outside and avoiding drinking out of sugary drinks that might be left outdoors, as these can attract insects. A report published in the Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health examined unusual cases in which a pediatric patient experienced muscle weakness, pupil dilation, and motor aphasia following a wasp sting.

Avoidance is key to preventing wasp stings. You can also talk to your doctor about venom immunotherapy, which is administered as allergy shots. Here's how to recognize, treat, and prevent yellow jacket stings. Although rare, a bee sting may be infected even if it appears to be healing. Read more to learn whether your bee sting has become infected.

It can cause a lot of discomfort and may even become a…. Raised bumps on the skin are common and can have a variety of causes, ranging from acne to skin cancer. Raised skin bumps are most often harmless, but…. While most bug bites cause only mild symptoms, some bug bites can transmit disease. Read on to learn more about symptoms and how to prevent bug bites. Many types of drugs, such as antihistamines, are available to address insect sting symptoms.

Learn how to treat mild and severe allergic reactions. Sometimes your immune system will identify a substance as harmful, even though it isn't. When this happens, it's called an allergic reaction. If you have swelling in just one eye or have found a spider in the area where you were bit, it's safe to assume a spider or similar bug is to blame. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Wasp Stings: Reaction Symptoms and Treatment. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.

Symptoms Anaphylaxis Treatment Vs. Symptoms of a wasp sting. Paper Wasp. Cicada Killer Wasp. Other symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to wasp venom include: 10, 12 Swelling of the lips, mouth, or tongue Rapid heartbeat Diarrhea Vomiting Stomach pain Call immediately if you have a severe reaction to a sting.

Some basic care for a wasp sting: 12 Wash the area with soap and water, Conti recommends. Clean the area every day until it heals, to prevent a skin infection. Apply a cold compress to relieve pain and swelling. Wrap the cold pack in a towel and place it on the sting — 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off. Take an antihistamine like Benadryl or Claritin if you have a reaction, says Conti.

Carry an EpiPen epinephrine if you have a history of a severe allergic reaction to wasp venom. Administer immediately after a sting to avoid anaphylaxis, he adds. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Advil or Motrin ibuprofen or Tylenol acetaminophen to reduce pain. A few home remedies can also provide relief from a wasp sting.

Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. Illinois Department of Public Health. Wasps and Bees. Washington NatureMapping Program. National Geographic. Stinging Insects: Paper Wasps. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County. Frank S, Youngsteadt E. North Carolina State Extension. April 1, Bee or Yellow Jacket Sting. March 14, Insect Sting Allergy: The Facts.

Anaphylaxis Campaign. National Center for Biotechnology Information. July 13, Allergic Reaction to Bites and Stings. Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Insect Bites and Stings: First Aid. Mayo Clinic. February 17,