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Bee and Wasp Stings — First Aid
What to do
- Move away from the area — stinging insects can attract others, especially if a nest is disturbed.
- If a bee stinger is left in the skin, remove it as soon as possible by scraping it out sideways with a fingernail, card edge or similar. Speed matters more than the exact method.
- Wash the area with soap and water.
- Apply a wrapped cold pack for up to 10 to 20 minutes to reduce pain and swelling, and raise the affected part if practical.
- Simple pain relief or an antihistamine the person normally uses can be taken as directed on the packet for itch and discomfort.
- Watch the person for at least 30 minutes for signs of a severe allergic reaction — difficulty breathing, swelling of lips, tongue or throat, dizziness or widespread hives means call 911 and use an epinephrine auto-injector if available (see Anaphylaxis).
What NOT to do
- Do not squeeze the stinger with tweezers if you can scrape it — and do not delay removal to find the perfect tool.
- Do not scratch the sting site — it increases infection risk.
- Do not ignore stings inside the mouth or throat — swelling there can block the airway; sucking an ice cube or sipping cold water helps while you get emergency help.
- Do not apply mud, toothpaste or other folk remedies.
When to get medical care
Call 911 for any sting with breathing difficulty, throat, tongue or lip swelling, hoarseness, dizziness, collapse, or multiple stings (especially in children). Seek same-day care for stings in the mouth or eye, stings that become increasingly red, swollen or painful after a day or two (infection), or if the person has a known sting allergy and any systemic symptoms.
Related symptoms
Frequently asked questions
Why scrape the stinger out instead of pulling it?
A honeybee's stinger includes a venom sac that keeps pumping after the bee leaves. Scraping sideways removes it without squeezing more venom in. That said, getting it out fast matters most — if tweezers are what you have, use them promptly and gently.
How much swelling is normal after a sting?
A painful, itchy, red area a few centimetres wide peaking over 24 to 48 hours is a common large local reaction. Swelling that crosses a joint, covers a whole limb segment, or comes with feeling unwell deserves medical advice; any breathing or throat symptom is an emergency.
In an emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) first — do not delay a call to read a guide. These pages are educational first-aid information in general terms; they are not a substitute for emergency services, first-aid training, or assessment by a qualified clinician.
