Many people are afraid of getting a wasp sting because they think it will become infected. If you’ve ever been stung, you may have noticed that the area around the sting is red, swollen, and painful. This is normal after a sting but if it doesn’t go away within a few days, then there’s a chance that you might have an infection.
Wasp stings can cause infection if they break the skin and/or if there’s an open wound in the area around the sting. An infected wasp sting will usually be red and swollen with pus seeping from it. It may also be hot to touch and painful to move around in any way.
Most insect bites and stings are not serious and will get better within a few hours or days. But occasionally they can become infected, cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) or spread serious illnesses such as Lyme disease and malaria.
Bugs that bite or sting include wasps, hornets, bees, horseflies, ticks, mosquitoes, fleas, bedbugs, spiders and midges.
Symptoms of insect bites and stings
Insect bites and stings will usually cause a red, swollen lump to develop on the skin. This may be painful and in some cases can be very itchy.
The symptoms will normally improve within a few hours or days, although sometimes they can last a little longer.
Some people have a mild allergic reaction and a larger area of skin around the bite or sting becomes swollen, red, and painful. This should pass within a week.
Occasionally, a severe allergic reaction can occur, causing symptoms such as breathing difficulties, dizziness, and a swollen face or mouth. This requires immediate medical treatment.
When Should I Be Concerned About a Wasp Sting?
If you’ve been stung by a wasp, there are some things you should and shouldn’t do.
First, don’t panic. Most wasps don’t sting more than once, and most of the time, the stings aren’t serious enough to cause an allergic reaction or lead to other problems. If you’re just being a little bit itchy and there’s no sign of swelling or redness in the area around your sting, it’s probably not something to worry about.
The next thing to do is wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching any part of your body—including around the sting site, to reduce the risk of infection. If there’s any sign of swelling or redness around the area where you were stung, it’s a good idea to apply ice packs (or cold water if ice isn’t available) for about 20 minutes every hour for up to six hours after being stung; this will help reduce inflammation and pain.
If the sting is on your neck or throat area, call 911 immediately and go directly to an emergency room. These areas are more likely to swell than other parts of the body, so getting proper treatment right away is very important in this case.
How Do You Treat an Infected Wasp Sting?
If you’ve been stung by a wasp, you may be wondering how to treat the sting. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to take care of, but it’s important to follow a few steps to ensure that your body is able to heal itself.
First, remove the stinger from the skin with tweezers. The stinger is what injects venom into the body, so removing it will help prevent further pain and improve healing time.
Clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining venom on the skin.
Apply an antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin) over the wound to prevent infection and speed up healing time.
If your doctor recommends it, use an oral antihistamine like Benadryl at night for several weeks following your wasp sting. Antihistamines can help reduce swelling and itching associated with insect bites or stings.
How Long Does a Wasp Sting Stay Swollen?
Wasp stings are a painful and scary experience, but they’re not usually dangerous if you get medical attention immediately. If you’ve been stung by a wasp or other insect, you may be wondering how long it will take for the swelling to go down and for your skin to heal.
The swelling that comes with a wasp sting will typically start to go down within 24 hours. If you’re still feeling itchy and uncomfortable after that time period, though, you may want to see your doctor.
Wasp stings can cause an allergic reaction in some people, so if your symptoms don’t start to improve after a couple of days, you might have an allergic reaction and need medical attention.
How Long Does It Take for a Wasp Sting to Get Infected?
A wasp sting is typically not dangerous, but it can be painful and irritating. If the sting goes untreated, it may lead to an infection. An infected sting may result in swelling, redness, and pain.
The length of time it takes for a wasp sting to get infected depends on several factors. These factors include the location of the sting and how much venom was injected into your skin. A mild reaction may take less than 24 hours to develop into an infection, while a severe reaction may take up to two weeks or more.
If there is an open wound on the skin where the stinger entered, then you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible because this could lead to an infection. An infection can occur when bacteria from inside your body enters through your skin and cause an infection in your bloodstream or soft tissue beneath your skin. An infection may also occur if you scratch or pick at the area where you were stung by a wasp and allow dirt or sand into your wound site which could cause further damage and make it easier for bacteria to enter into your bloodstream via open wounds on your fingers when picking at scabs around where you were stung by a wasp.
List Of Products to Relieve Wasp Sting
Wasp stings are painful and itchy, and they can leave you feeling uncomfortable for days. You can get the relief you need with these products.
Beurer BR60 Insect Sting and Bite Relief, Bug Bite Healer for Chemical-Free Treatment of Insect Bites and Stings, Non-Toxic Natural Relief from Itching and Swelling, for Mosquito Bites
Price: $26.71
Features:
- SYMPTOM RELIEF: The insect bite healer helps combat itching and swelling after insect bites by using heat to accelerate the healing process – insect bite relief from mosquitos, wasps, bugs, and bees
- CHEMICAL-FREE: Non-toxic and safe to use, the insect bite pen only uses heat and is suitable for pregnant women, you can avoid chemical products like bug bite creams or bug sprays
- FAST AND EFFECTIVE: The quick-warming ceramic plate is ready for use almost immediately and application takes just 3-6 seconds, depending on which of the 2 programs you’ve chosen – suitable for all ages and sensitive skin
- EASY TO USE: Place the bug bite pen on the affected area, then press the button and wait 3-6 seconds until you hear the beep and the heating stops – super simple and easy to use
- PORTABLE DESIGN: The bug bite healer is battery-operated, compact, and lightweight and is the ideal accessory for travel, camping and other outdoor activities – ready whenever you need it
Mite-B-Gone 10% Sulfur Lotion Itch Relief for Insect Bites, Acne, Itching, Discomfort & Redness | Fast & Effective Relief for Itch with an All-Natural Blend of Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients | 8 oz
Price: $51.95
Features:
- Mite-B-Gone Sulfur Lotion is a natural blend of nourishing essential oils and botanicals that quickly relieve itch from bug bites, acne, seborrheic dermatitis, and eczema, as well as skin discomfort and nail irritations.
- Mite-B-Gone’s Lotion is a 100% Natural Formula that includes Sunflower Seed Oil and Tea Tree Oil. This known soothing and anti-inflammatory blend quickly counteracts itching and progressively clears up discomfort.
- You may notice the Sulfur micro-particles have a slightly gritty texture to your soap. Sulfur is keratolytic, which means that it works to loosen the outer layer of the skin and shed those dead skin cells. This results in deeper penetration!
- Mite-B-Gone Lotion gives you lasting relief WITHOUT harsh chemicals or irritation
- Proudly small-batched by our skilled production technicians in our FDA Registered Facility right outside Atlanta, Georgia, here in the USA.
- 3-Year Shelf Life
Spenco 2nd Skin Squares Soothing Protection, Gel Squares 200-Count, Bacterial Barrier, One Size
Price: 36.90
Features:
- Medical-grade gel adhesive squares sooth, cool, and protect
- Hypoallergenic, latex free, and non-medicated, these hydrogel squares can be used for scrapes, cuts and burns
- Made mostly from water so the dressings will not stick to the skin for painless removal
- Ideal for use in clinics, training rooms, and first aid kits
- 200 gel squares (non-sterile). 1 inch x 1 inch / 2.5cm x 2.5cm
Final Thought,
If you’ve been stung by a wasp, the best thing to do is to clean the area with soap and water. Then, apply an antibiotic ointment and cover it with a bandage. If symptoms persist or worsen, you should go see a doctor as soon as possible.