What happens if a wasp sting is left in you

Yellow jacket wasps are the most common cause of allergic reactions to insect stings in the United States. When a bee or wasp stings, the sac contracts, pumping venom into the tissue.

The information below refers to bee stings, but it applies to stings caused by both bees and wasps. The symptoms, treatments, and dangers are the same.

A bee sting is usually recognized by a sharp pain and a puncture wound or laceration in the skin. The venom contained in a bee or wasp sting induces a local toxic reaction at the site of attack. Some stings may produce the following symptoms , referred to as a large local reaction:.

However, some symptoms that develop after a bee sting signal a severe allergic reaction and need urgent medical attention. Without treatment, anaphylactic shock may occur very quickly. This can be fatal. If any of these symptoms appear following a sting of any kind, emergency medical care is needed. Individuals who have experienced an allergic reaction to a sting in the past are more likely to have a reaction in the future.

This shot relaxes blood vessels and muscles, helping the body to deal with the response while medical help is called. Sometimes a sting can become infected. Consult a doctor if the area affected shows a pus discharge, or if there is an increase in the normal pain, swelling, and redness that was produced by the initial sting. Most bee stings can be treated without medical attention, but some products may help manage the discomfort. 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. 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.

Bald-Faced Hornet. Yellow Jacket. 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. Reviewed by: Jacob L. Editorial team. Wasp sting. Poisonous Ingredient Wasp venom is toxic. Where Found Wasps carry this venom. Symptoms Below are symptoms of a wasp sting in different parts of the body. Home Care For severe reactions: Call if the person has an allergic reaction severe swelling or difficulty breathing.

To treat the wasp sting: Try to remove the stinger from the skin if it is still present. To do this, carefully scrape the back of a knife or other thin, blunt, straight-edged object like a credit card across the stinger if the person can keep still and it is safe to do so. Or, you can pull out the stinger with tweezers or your fingers.

If you do this, do not pinch the venom sac at the end of the stinger. If this sac is broken, more venom will be released. Clean the area thoroughly with soap and water. Place ice wrapped in a clean cloth on the site of the sting for 10 minutes and then off for 10 minutes. Repeat this process. If the person has problems with blood circulation, decrease the time that the ice is on the area to prevent possible skin damage. Keep the affected area still, if possible, to prevent the venom from spreading.

Loosen clothing and remove rings and other tight jewelry.