Wasp Sting on Children: First Aid & When to Seek Immediate Medical Care

Children stung by wasps can be treated easily and quickly with household first aid kits if they are not allergic to the insects. Seek immediate medical attention for a child stung in the mouth or showing signs of an allergic reaction.

Remove the Stinger

• Act quickly to remove the stinger; the longer it is left in the skin the more venom it releases. The average wasp can deliver two to 15 micrograms of venom.The stinger usually looks like a black dot and is in the center of the red, swollen area of skin. Scrape out the stinger from the child's skin with a fingernail or a credit card. Clean the area with water and soap to remove any leftover traces of venom.

Pain Relief

• Apply an icepack for 20 minutes or longer to reduce swelling and relieve any pain. Take care to wrap a cloth between the ice and child's skin to prevent freezing the skin. Acetaminophen can also be given to a child to help relieve symptoms.

Aftercare

• The pain should lessen after an hour or so, but the swelling may take a little longer to go down if the child has been stung in a sensitive area. Closely monitor the child; if after 24 hours the swelling continues to get worse, seek further medical advice.