Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsSigns of Allergic ReactionTreatmentWasp vs. Bee StingPreventionSevere ComplicationsWhen to Seek Medical CareFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Signs of Allergic Reaction
Treatment
Wasp vs. Bee Sting
Prevention
Severe Complications
When to Seek Medical Care
Frequently Asked Questions
There are thousands of varieties of wasps; most are tiny and do not sting. These winged insects use their stingers for self-defense to protect themselves, their hive, or their colony if they view you as a threat.
When a wasp stings, its venom releasespheromones(a secreted chemical), which signal other wasps to join in the attack.Wasps can repeatedly sting, making them dangerous, especially in people who are sensitive or allergic to the venom.
This article explains wasp sting symptoms, treatments, and when to seek medical care.
Fernando Trabanco Fotograffia/Getty Images
The most well-known and feared wasps in the U.S. are yellow jackets and hornets. These are social wasps, meaning they live in colonies and are known for theirpainful stings.
Wasp stings are similar to other insect stings. However, wasp stings can be more painful. Symptoms include:
Most people do not need medical attention when they are stung. However, if you were stung multiple times, the excess venom could cause you to feel nauseous, dizzy, lose consciousness, or have seizures. In addition, you may have a more severe or life-threatening reaction if allergic to wasp venom.Both of these situations require emergency medical care.
Wasp venom can cause anallergic reactionin some people. Signs of an allergic reaction include:
In addition,anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction, can occur without warning. Signs include those listed above, confusion, weakness, and a sense of pending doom. Always seek emergency medical care for any sign of an allergic reaction.
Between 2000 and 2017, 1,109 people died from hornet, wasp, and bee stings.
As long you are not having a severe reaction, you cantreat wasp stingsat home. Treating wasp stings is similar to other insect stings and includes:
Unlike bees, wasps do not lose their stingers when they sting, so you won’t have to pull out the stinger whentreatingit.
Often, people are unaware of the type of insect that stung them. However, there are some notable differences between bee and wasp stings.
Bee StingReleases more venom (up to 140 micrograms)Leaves stinger behindOften occurs near a beehiveSting only onceWasp StingReleases less venom (up to 3 micrograms)Does not leave stinger behindMay occur in a random placeCan sting multiple times
Bee StingReleases more venom (up to 140 micrograms)Leaves stinger behindOften occurs near a beehiveSting only once
Releases more venom (up to 140 micrograms)
Leaves stinger behind
Often occurs near a beehive
Sting only once
Wasp StingReleases less venom (up to 3 micrograms)Does not leave stinger behindMay occur in a random placeCan sting multiple times
Releases less venom (up to 3 micrograms)
Does not leave stinger behind
May occur in a random place
Can sting multiple times
Additionally, you can tell bees from wasps if you happen to see the insect that stung you. Bees are furry-looking and have a wide body with short legs. Wasps and hornets have skinny bodies, narrow waists, and are hairless.
You can’t always prevent run-ins with wasps. However, there are some steps you can take to reduce your likelihood of being stung, including:
Remember that wasps release a pheromone to attract more wasps to sting. So if you are stung, leave the area right away. And if you have ever had a severe reaction to a bee or wasp sting, carry anEpiPen(epinephrine, a hormone used to treat anaphylaxis).
Severe complications from wasp stings can includeanaphylaxisand toxicity from the venom of multiple stings. If you were stung numerous times or show signs of an allergic reaction, seek emergency medical attention.
Allergic Reactions to Insect Bites and Stings
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Most of the time, people recover from wasp stings with at-home care. Some situations indicate that you need medical attention, such as:
If you are unsure if your sting requires medical attention, contact a healthcare provider for guidance.
Summary
Wasp stings cause a painful, itchy welt. Since wasps can sting repeatedly, there is a risk of venom toxicity from multiple stings. Some people have severe allergic reactions to wasp venom. Usually, you can treat wasp stings at home. If you are stung repeatedly or develop anaphylaxis symptoms, seek emergency medical care.
A Word From Verywell
Frequently Asked QuestionsSevere pain from a wasp sting can last a couple of hours. Swelling may last up to a week, which can cause additional discomfort.A wasp sting will appear as a red, raised welt with a puncture hole in the middle. Over time, the area may swell and look red or bruised.Learn MoreBug Bites That Leave a BruiseUnlike bees, wasps can sting repeatedly. When a wasp stings, its venom releases a pheromone, calling other wasps to the battle.Learn MoreVenomous vs. Poisonous
Severe pain from a wasp sting can last a couple of hours. Swelling may last up to a week, which can cause additional discomfort.
A wasp sting will appear as a red, raised welt with a puncture hole in the middle. Over time, the area may swell and look red or bruised.Learn MoreBug Bites That Leave a Bruise
A wasp sting will appear as a red, raised welt with a puncture hole in the middle. Over time, the area may swell and look red or bruised.
Learn MoreBug Bites That Leave a Bruise
Unlike bees, wasps can sting repeatedly. When a wasp stings, its venom releases a pheromone, calling other wasps to the battle.Learn MoreVenomous vs. Poisonous
Unlike bees, wasps can sting repeatedly. When a wasp stings, its venom releases a pheromone, calling other wasps to the battle.
Learn MoreVenomous vs. Poisonous
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sutter-Yuba Mosquito and Vector Control District Protecting Public Health.Wasp/yellowjacket stings.Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry.Bees, hornets, and wasps.National Library of Medicine.Wasp sting.National Capital Poison Center: Poison Control.Bee stings: is it an allergic reaction?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Quickstats: number of deaths from hornet, wasps, and bee stings, among makes and females—national vital statistics system.Przybilla B, Ruëff F.Insect stings: clinical features and management.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2012;109(13):238-248. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2012.0238The Old Farmer’s Almanac.Wasps, bees, and hornets: what’s the difference?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bees, wasps, and hornets.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sutter-Yuba Mosquito and Vector Control District Protecting Public Health.Wasp/yellowjacket stings.Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry.Bees, hornets, and wasps.National Library of Medicine.Wasp sting.National Capital Poison Center: Poison Control.Bee stings: is it an allergic reaction?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Quickstats: number of deaths from hornet, wasps, and bee stings, among makes and females—national vital statistics system.Przybilla B, Ruëff F.Insect stings: clinical features and management.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2012;109(13):238-248. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2012.0238The Old Farmer’s Almanac.Wasps, bees, and hornets: what’s the difference?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bees, wasps, and hornets.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Sutter-Yuba Mosquito and Vector Control District Protecting Public Health.Wasp/yellowjacket stings.Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry.Bees, hornets, and wasps.National Library of Medicine.Wasp sting.National Capital Poison Center: Poison Control.Bee stings: is it an allergic reaction?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Quickstats: number of deaths from hornet, wasps, and bee stings, among makes and females—national vital statistics system.Przybilla B, Ruëff F.Insect stings: clinical features and management.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2012;109(13):238-248. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2012.0238The Old Farmer’s Almanac.Wasps, bees, and hornets: what’s the difference?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bees, wasps, and hornets.
Sutter-Yuba Mosquito and Vector Control District Protecting Public Health.Wasp/yellowjacket stings.
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry.Bees, hornets, and wasps.
National Library of Medicine.Wasp sting.
National Capital Poison Center: Poison Control.Bee stings: is it an allergic reaction?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Quickstats: number of deaths from hornet, wasps, and bee stings, among makes and females—national vital statistics system.
Przybilla B, Ruëff F.Insect stings: clinical features and management.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2012;109(13):238-248. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2012.0238
The Old Farmer’s Almanac.Wasps, bees, and hornets: what’s the difference?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bees, wasps, and hornets.
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