What Should I Do If My Child Is Stung by a Wasp?

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.