How to Treat a Wasp Sting on a Child

Co-authored by Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: November 29, 2022 References

When your kid gets a wasp sting it's always a cause for concern. Children usually have more swelling than adults and the shock of being stung can be scary! Fortunately, if you already know what to do, you can immediately treat the sting and comfort your child so they feel reassured. If you're not sure where to begin, check out these common questions about wasp stings.

Question 1 of 5:

What should I do if my child gets stung by a wasp?

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1
Wash the area with soap and water. Use cool water to help soothe the skin and wash away venom that might be on the surface. You can wash the area 2 or 3 times a day until the skin is no longer red and swollen. ^{[1]
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- Your child will probably be upset and worried that what you're doing will make the sting hurt more. Let them know that you're just washing it to make it feel better.
2
Place an ice pack on the skin to reduce swelling. Wasp stings can really swell up and hurt, but an ice pack can really help! Wrap an ice pack in a cloth and press it on the area for 10 minutes. ^{[2]
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Expert Source

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
Board Certified Pediatrician & Board Certified Integrative Medicine Doctor

Expert Interview. 13 April 2020.} Then, leave it off for 10 minutes. Keep alternating back and forth for 10-minute increments. ^{[3]
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- If you don't have an ice pack, you can wrap a bag of frozen vegetables in a cloth. The cloth just prevents the extreme cold from damaging the bare skin.

Question 2 of 5:

How can I make my child more comfortable?

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1
Apply an antihistamine or corticosteroid cream to their skin. It's pretty common for the sting area to start itching after it's turned red. Teach your child to rub and not scratch the area to prevent infection. ^{[4]
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Expert Source

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
Board Certified Pediatrician & Board Certified Integrative Medicine Doctor

Expert Interview. 13 April 2020.} Since you don't want your child to scratch the skin, gently rub antihistamine cream, corticosteroid cream, or calamine lotion onto the area to soothe it. ^{[5]
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- If you're using calamine lotion, reapply it if it begins to flake off.
- Oatmeal baths and topical poultices can also be helpful. ^{[6]
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  Expert Source
  
  Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
  Board Certified Pediatrician & Board Certified Integrative Medicine Doctor
  
  Expert Interview. 13 April 2020.}
Expert Answer

Q

What are other things that can help to reduce itching?

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
Board Certified Pediatrician
Dr. Andrea Rudominer is a board certified Pediatrician and board certified Integrative Medicine Doctor based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Rudominer has over 15 years of medical care experience and specializes in preventive health care, obesity, adolescent care, ADHD, and culturally competent care. Dr. Rudominer received her MD from the University of California, Davis, and completed a residency at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. Dr. Rudominer also has an MPH in Maternal Child Health from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a Member of the American Board of Pediatrics, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a Member and Delegate of the California Medical Association, and a Member of the Santa Clara County Medical Association.

EXPERT ADVICE

Answer from Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH :

A cold compress, topical poultices, and oatmeal baths can help to reduce itching. An aromatherapy blend of 3 drops of frankincense oil, 2 drops of peppermint oil, and 5 drops of lavender oil mixed in 1 ounce coconut or almond oil also has a soothing effect.
2
Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen to manage the pain. If you've got children's pain medication at home, it's completely fine to give them some. Always give your child a dose based on their age and weight—this is usually listed on the back of the package or you could ask their pediatrician. ^{[7]
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- Keep in mind that acetaminophen doesn't reduce inflammation or swelling, but ibuprofen does.

Question 3 of 5:

What's the best home remedy for a wasp sting?

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Make a baking soda paste to neutralize the wasp venom. Mix 1/4 cup (57 g) of baking soda with 2 teaspoons (9.9 ml) of water to make a thick paste. Then, spread it on the area and leave it alone. Reapply the paste every 15 minutes to reduce the pain. ^{[8]
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- You can reapply a layer directly over the first layer or wash the skin each time you reapply.
- Although research is needed to prove baking soda's effectiveness, this is a popular home remedy for wasp stings.

Question 4 of 5:

How long does a wasp sting stay swollen?

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Swelling and redness can last for 7 days. Unfortunately, swelling and redness are really common with kids and wasp stings—the area might keep swelling up to 48 hours after the sting. Swelling can start to go away in the following days, but it's not uncommon for the skin to be red and swollen for up to a week. ^{[9]
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- If your child was stung near their neck or throat and it's swelling up, you need to get them emergency medical attention. The swelling could make it hard for them to breathe.
- Don't be surprised if the skin swells and gets red around the sting—you may see it extend up to 3 or 4 inches (7.6 or 10.2 cm) away from the sting. ^{[10]
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Question 5 of 5:

When should I be concerned about a wasp sting?

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1
Get immediate medical attention if you suspect a wasp allergy. While slight redness, swelling, and itchiness are common with wasp stings if the symptoms are severe or you also notice these signs of an allergy, contact your child's pediatrician or nurse hotline for advice: ^{[11]
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- Large rash or large area of swelling
- Belly pain, nausea, or vomiting
2
Call your child's doctor if you suspect the area is infected. If it's been a few days and the skin around the wasp sting doesn't look like it's healing, it may be infected. Contact the pediatrician, nurse hotline, or urgent care if you see these symptoms: ^{[12]
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- Increased pain
- Swelling and redness
- Warmth or red streaks around the area
- Pus draining from the sting
- Fever
3
Take your child for emergency treatment if they were stung near the mouth. These stings can be serious since severe swelling near the mouth or throat can block airways. Don't hesitate to take your child for emergency medical treatment. ^{[13]
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- Your child might need medical treatment if they develop a rash or swelling that covers a large area or if they're in pain for days. ^{[14]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

Can a hot shower give relief from itching?

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
Board Certified Pediatrician
Dr. Andrea Rudominer is a board certified Pediatrician and board certified Integrative Medicine Doctor based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Rudominer has over 15 years of medical care experience and specializes in preventive health care, obesity, adolescent care, ADHD, and culturally competent care. Dr. Rudominer received her MD from the University of California, Davis, and completed a residency at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. Dr. Rudominer also has an MPH in Maternal Child Health from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a Member of the American Board of Pediatrics, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a Member and Delegate of the California Medical Association, and a Member of the Santa Clara County Medical Association.

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH

Board Certified Pediatrician

Expert Answer

It is not good to take a hot shower after an insect bite. The heat releases the histamines and makes the area itchy.

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Warnings

Get emergency medical attention if your child was stung more than 5 times, or you think they're having a life-threatening allergic reaction—they have trouble breathing, tightness in the throat or chest, swelling on their face, dizziness, fainting, nausea, or vomiting. ^{[15]
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If you see signs of a serious allergic reaction, use an epinephrine pen if you have access to one and call 911. ^{[16]
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Expert Source

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
Board Certified Pediatrician & Board Certified Integrative Medicine Doctor

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How to Treat a Wasp Sting on a Child

Steps

What should I do if my child gets stung by a wasp?

How can I make my child more comfortable?

What's the best home remedy for a wasp sting?

How long does a wasp sting stay swollen?

When should I be concerned about a wasp sting?

Expert Q&A

Tips

Warnings

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