How to Treat a Hornet Sting

Ouch! Hornet stings can really hurt! If you or someone you know gets stung by a hornet, treating the site of the sting immediately is crucial to alleviate pain. Luckily, treating a hornet sting is not difficult to do.

Things You'll Need

• Topical antihistamine
• A washcloth
• Oral medication (optional)
• A plastic sandwich bag
• Ice
• A dull knife

Instructions

1. Remove the stinger using a dull knife if necessary. This can be done by scraping in the opposite direction from the stinger entry.

2. Put ice into a plastic sandwich bag, wrap with a washcloth and apply to the wound.

3. Check sting after 15 minutes to make sure it is not swelling abnormally.

4. Dry the area and apply a topical antihistamine to reduce the pain.

5. Reapply the antihistamine as necessary.

6. Take an oral medication, like ibuprofen, to reduce the venom's effects on your body if needed.

Tips & Warnings

• If the person stung is allergic to bee stings or the site begins to swell more than normal, see a doctor immediately.

• Do not use tweezers to remove the stinger if you don't have to. This injects more venom into the wound.