If you have been stung by a wasp, here are some steps you can take to treat the sting at home:
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Remove the stinger: If the stinger is still present, try to remove it by gently scraping across the site with a blunt-edged object, such as a credit card, a dull knife, or a fingernail. Do not try to pull it out, as this may release more venom.
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Wash the area: Wash the sting area with soap and water to remove as much of the venom as possible. Cleaning the site can remove any bacteria or venom the wasp might have carried. This will also help wash out some of the venom left behind by the wasp.
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Apply a cold pack: Wrap a thin cloth around an ice or cold pack and apply it to the sting site for 30 to 60 minutes, in intervals of 10 minutes on and off. This will help reduce the swelling and pain of the wasp sting.
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Take anti-inflammatory medication: To reduce the swelling, take an anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen. This will help lessen pain from the wasp sting and also reduce swelling at the sting site.
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Apply antihistamine: Another symptom of wasp stings is itchiness at the injection site and surrounding area, depending on how far the sting has spread. To relieve the itchiness, which can increase for hours after the initial sting, apply an antihistamine, corticosteroid, or calamine cream to the entire red and swollen area. This will also help alleviate the itching.
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Keep the affected area still: If possible, keep the affected area still to prevent the venom from spreading.
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Loosen clothing and remove jewelry: Loosen clothing and remove rings and other tight jewelry.
If you experience any serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, or severe decrease in blood pressure, seek immediate medical attention.
