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Step 1
Remove the stinger. Scrape a dull butter knife against your skin in the opposite direction of the stinger entry. It should pop out. Some sources recommend removing a stinger with tweezers. However, this method can potentially inject more venom into your skin as you attempt to pry and prod out the stinger.
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Step 2
Reduce pain and swelling with ice. Try to avoid putting ice directly on skin, because it can cause a flesh burn. Instead, use an ice pack or wrap a washcloth around the ice. Remove it after 10 to 15 minutes and dry the site thoroughly.
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Step 3
Use a topical antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine hydrochloride, available in cream, stick or gel.
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Step 4
Opt for a topical anesthetic for pain not relieved by antihistamine. Consider topical lidocaine or benzocaine.
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Step 5
Apply a topical hydrocortisone cream to reduce allergic reaction around site.
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Step 6
Take an oral analgesic, like ibuprofen, for general pain that may result from venom circulating throughout your bloodstream.
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Step 7
Consider applying moist baking soda or mud to the sting site. Although there is no scientific evidence that these remedies work, some people find that they provide relief.
Comments
alicem38 said
on 10/10/2009 My 8 year old son was walking the dog and he was stung in the back of the head 3 times. He came running in screaming that it burned real bad. I put a cold wet wash cloth on his head until I could get a remedy off of the computer. I read that WD40 worked on wasp stings. I took him outside and sprayed the stings with the WD40 and immediately the burning went away. He could still feel where he had been stung but the screaming stopped because he was no longer in pain. Trust me and my son, WD40 works!
spacestuff4me said
on 7/25/2009 7/25/2009
My 8 year old little boy was stung by a wasp on the side of the foot just below the ankle and was in horrendous pain. Luckily it didn't leave the stinger in, so I didn't have to scrape it out.
I searched how to treat it online, found this posting about WD40 and didn't believe it at first. OMG.....it worked within a few minutes and he was out of pain. My son has a very high threshold of pain, he was screaming in abject agony and within minutes I had him laughing about wearing something called shoes.
Thank you so much for helping. Ray
reginamyers1970 said
on 7/1/2009 I had a 10 year old girl with a wasp sting. I did the normal and washed with soap and water and then solarcain. That didn't work. I tried the WD -40 and it's crazy but it worked in seconds !!! Thanks for the remedy !!!
anniegirl2000 said
on 6/22/2009 My son got stung three times, once on face and twice on chest. One of the chest stings hurt terribly and was starting to swell. Ice and topical ointments were not working. Sprayed WD-40 and he immediately felt relief. Thank God for the internet and this site!!
poogie said
on 6/17/2009 Well - I just got bit 2 times by a Wasp...little bugger got me on my shoulder blade just out of reach on my back. As I crooned in pain my husband quickly got the Baking Soda & water applied...it still hurt bad & I could feel the burning of the poision going in. I immediately used bing.com and found this WD-40 information so I tried it and the BITES BOTH HAVE LOST MOST OF THE SWELLING - THE PAIN STOPPED WITHIN 3-4 MINUTES. I'm totally clueless how WD-40 could do this but it worked for me. Give it a try. Thanks!