What to do if you’re stung by a wasp
If you’ve been stung by a wasp, there’s no doubt you’ll want pain and irritation relief as soon as you possibly can. After all, insect stings can be itchy, irritating and very uncomfortable - not to mention dangerous in some circumstances. Here we’ve put together our top tips for what to do if you’re stung by a wasp:
It may be easier said than done, but it’s important to stay calm if you find yourself dealing with a wasp sting. Panicking won’t help the situation and may make it more difficult for you to deal with the sting quickly and rationally. While stings can remain itchy for a few days, in the majority of cases they aren’t serious, so it’s important to stay calm and composed.
Wash the sting with clean water
After you’ve been stung, it’s a good idea to clean the affected area with fresh, clean water. This will cool the area and help to wash away any of the sting left in the skin, relieving it and minimising the chance of an infection developing. Make sure you wash your hands before doing so and apply a bit of perfume-free soap if you have any to hand.
To keep your skin cool and reduce any potential swelling, prepare an ice pack wrapped in a clean tea towel and hold it on the affected area. Try to keep it there for at least 10-15 minutes as this will help soothe any irritations and stop the itching. Make sure you don’t itch the sting during this time - you’ll only increase the chance of infection and make your skin tender.
Any itching and swelling caused by the wasp sting should reduce significantly over a couple of days, but it’s still important to pay attention to the affected area and keep an eye on any other symptoms. If the sting is still red and itchy a few days later, or the bump has grown in size, it’s a good idea to seek medical advice as soon as you can. Look out for:
- Pus
- Extreme swelling (especially in sensitive areas)
- Feelings of nausea
- Stilted breathing
- Feelings of dizziness
If you notice any of these in the days following the wasp sting, speak to a medical professional and seek further advice. It may be that you’ve experienced an allergic reaction or have developed an infection, in which case you’ll need to get the sting checked over by an expert.
If you’ve spotted a wasp, bee or hornet nest in your home or business premises, you’ll need to get it removed quickly, safely and by a professional before you, your family or employees are stung. For a pest control service that you can rely on, look no further than Mr Wasp. We’re experts in the efficient removal of wasp, bee and hornet nests across Cardiff and South Wales - get in touch for more information today.
