Understanding Bee or wasp stings
What is it? A sting happens when a bee or wasp injects venom into the skin.
- Bees may leave a stinger behind
- Wasps do not
Most stings cause redness, pain, and swelling at the site—not an allergic reaction.
When to Manage at Home
✅ You can manage your child's bee or wasp sting at home if symptoms are:
- Redness, pain, burning for 1–2 hours
- Itching/swelling (can increase for 48 hrs)
- Swelling may last up to 7 days
- Redness may last 2–3 days
How to Treat at Home
🏠 Home remedies for bee and wasp stings:
- Remove the stinger (if visible—tiny black dot) using fingernail or credit card
- Neutralize venom (1x for 20 min):
- Meat tenderizer paste
- Baking soda paste
- Aluminum-based deodorant
- Soothe pain/itch:
- Ice cube on/off for 20 minutes
- 1% hydrocortisone cream (3x/day)
- Cetirizine (Zyrtec) if >6 months for itching
- Pain relief: Tylenol or ibuprofen as needed
When to Contact Poppins
📱 Contact us again when:
- Redness worsens after 2 days
- Area grows >4 inches
- Yellow discharge or crust
- Increased warmth or tenderness
When to Visit Your Pediatrician
🩺 Go to an in-person appointment when:
- Fever >100.4°F
- Sting site looks infected or isn’t improving
When to Go to the ER
🚨 Seek immediate emergency care if your child is:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Fainting, vomiting, dizziness
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
If your gut tells you something is wrong, don't hesitate to reach out. Need help? Reconnect with our on-demand team of medical staff available 24/7.
