Insects & Pests · Reference · Basic
Sting First Aid and the Signs That Mean Call Now
Ten minutes of correct care for an ordinary sting, and the short list of symptoms that mean anaphylaxis.
This is for educational purposes only. Not professional medical, electrical, or safety advice.
Warning
Difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, chest tightness, or faintness after a sting is an emergency: call 911 and use prescribed epinephrine immediately. An antihistamine is not a substitute.
- 01
Get the stinger out immediately
If a stinger is still in the skin, remove it right away. Scraping it out with a fingernail or the edge of a card is fine — Mayo Clinic says so. Don't waste minutes hunting for tweezers.
- 02
Wash and cool
Wash the area with soap and water, then apply a cold compress for 10–20 minutes.
- 03
Ease the itch
Calamine lotion, hydrocortisone cream, or an oral antihistamine taken according to its label.
- 04
Call emergency services for these signs
Difficulty breathing, a swollen tongue or throat or trouble swallowing, tightness in the chest, dizziness or fainting, hives spreading well beyond the sting, or nausea and vomiting alongside other symptoms. Do not wait for every symptom to appear, and do not wait for a rash.
- 05
Use epinephrine, not just an antihistamine
If someone has prescribed emergency epinephrine, use it promptly following their emergency plan. An antihistamine is not a substitute for epinephrine and is not a reason to wait.
- 06
Count the stings
More than a dozen stings can make a person seriously ill even without any allergy, and children and medically vulnerable people are at higher risk. Seek care right away for numerous stings.
- 07
Past stings do not protect you
Someone who was fine after every previous sting can develop a dangerous reaction on the next one.