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First Aid for Bees, Wasps, and Hornets

Oklahoma Bees*       Oklahoma Wasps and Hornets*

Honeybees have a stinger attached to a poison sac that is left in the wound when the sting occurs. Wasps and hornets sting without leaving a stinger in the wound. Wasps and hornets may sting repeatedly. Wasp and hornet stings can easily become infected. Although stings normally cause only a painful wound, serious allergic reactions have occurred in some people. Multiple stings, especially to the head or neck, are more serious and can be life threatening.

For a honeybee sting, remove the stinger from the wound as soon as possible to prevent the injection of any more venom. Then follow with general first aid.

If symptoms such as difficulty breathing or rapid, severe swelling occurs, call a physician. Toxic signs are vomiting, dizziness, headaches, chest pain, and fainting.

First Aid for Bites and Stings

For a normal reaction of a bite or sting a small red area usually appears within minutes. A whitish and a reddish color gradually surround it. A whelp or raised area forms that may itch, be hot to touch, and feel irritated. Symptoms usually go away in a few hours. However, if the bite is from a Black Widow spider, a Brown Recluse spider or a snake, symptoms may persist.

Victims especially at risk for complications are:

• Children under three years of age,
• Heart patients,
• Diabetic patients,
• Elderly or debilitated patients, and
• Persons with allergies.

Multiple stings/bites, especially to the neck and head, may be particularly serious. Consult a physician in these cases.

Go to an emergency room or consult a physician immediately if you see signs of severe allergic reaction like:

• Wheezing,
• Difficulty breathing or rapid,
• Severe swelling,
• Abdominal cramps,
• Vomiting,
• Dizziness,
• Chest tightness,
• Hoarseness, or
• Blue discoloration to lips.

1. Wash bite/sting area well with soap and water.
2. Place an ice pack or cold compress on the wound in intervals of about 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off. Never place ice directly on the skin.
3. Elevate and rest the bite/sting area to decrease swelling. Do not use heat.
4. If a tetanus vaccination has not been given within the last five to seven years, consult a physician.
5. Watch wound for several days for increasing pain, persistent swelling, or any other symptoms outside the immediate area of injury such as flu-like symptoms or fever. If these symptoms occur, contact a physician immediately.
6. Do not handle biting or stinging creatures. However, when possible, save the animal for later identification. Small creatures can be killed by dropping in scalding water or freezing without changing their appearance. Emergency rooms do not like live specimens! Identification may be important for the treatment and for predicting diseases these creatures may carry. Do not waste time trying to catch snakes.

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The Oklahoma Poison Control Center web site is provided free of charge to the public as an informational and educational tool. This web site is NOT intended as a substitute for a consultation with the Oklahoma Poison Control Center. The center is a statewide program operated by The University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy in cooperation with Children´s Hospital at the OU Medical Center. Our pharmacists and nurses are specially trained poison experts available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.