Wasp Sting: How to Identify and Treat Reactions

Wasp sting reactions can range from mild discomfort to severe pain and life-threatening allergies. Fortunately, most of the time, wasp stings are not an emergency.

Although rare, fatalities can occur from wasp stings, so it's essential to recognize the signs of severe wasp sting reactions.

This article explains wasp sting reactions, symptoms, and treatment.

Possible Wasp Sting Reactions

Wasp sting reactions may be localized or widespread, instant or delayed, mild or severe. Below are some to look out for.

Serum Sickness

Serum sickness is a complication that can occur from insect stings or from antiserum treatments for insect stings. Serum sickness is similar to an allergic reaction. It is often a delayed reaction, sometimes occurring one to two weeks after a sting.

Symptoms of serum sickness include:

• Fever
• Generally feeling unwell
• Urticaria (hives) or rash
• Itching
• Joint pain
• Swollen lymph nodes

Rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyolysis, also called "rhabdo," is a severe and rare complication from wasp stings. This reaction causes the muscles to break down and alters the composition of fluids and electrolytes in your body, often affecting the kidneys.

Researchers suspect rhabdomyolysis occurs due to the toxic effect of wasp venom on muscles. This complication is the result of multiple stings, often more than 50 at a time.

Symptoms may appear days after a sting and include:

• Persistent muscle cramps or pain
• Dark urine
• Weakness

Large Local Reaction

More commonly, wasp sting reactions include significant, localized inflammation. Up to 10% of people stung by insects develop a large, local response, which includes redness and swelling at the site of the sting.

A large local reaction can become as big as 4 inches in diameter—sometimes even bigger. It may increase in size over one or two days, then resolve in five to 10 days.

This kind of reaction is not a risk factor for developing anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction). Only 5% to 10% of people with a large local reaction will develop an allergy to bee stings.

Allergic Reaction

An allergy to a wasp sting occurs when your immune system overreacts to the wasp's venom. If you notice any body changes other than local redness, swelling, itching, or pain at the site where you were stung, you may be having an allergic reaction.

Wasp sting allergy symptoms can progress quickly. Therefore, you should seek medical treatment immediately if you notice any allergy symptoms after being stung.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction and a life-threatening medical emergency. These reactions can develop quickly after a sting, often within minutes. Therefore, if you notice any signs of anaphylaxis, call 911 immediately.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis after a wasp sting include:

• Hives, itching, and swelling that spread beyond the sting site
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Chest tightness
• Difficulty breathing
• Hoarse voice
• Tongue or throat swelling
• Trouble swallowing

Symptoms of a Reaction

Most wasp sting reactions are mild. Common wasp sting reactions include localized itching, swelling, and pain. However, some reactions can be severe and even life-threatening.

Treatment

Most of the time, you can treat mild wasp sting reactions with home remedies. Unlike bees, wasps do not lose their stingers when they sting, which allows them to sting you multiple times. From a treatment standpoint, you don't have to remove a stinger.

At-home wasp sting treatment measures include:

• Wash the sting site thoroughly with soap and water.
• Ice the area to reduce pain and swelling.
• Raise the affected limb to reduce swelling.
• Use a paste made of baking soda and water to reduce pain and swelling.
• Consider over-the-counter (OTC) treatments for insect stings.
• Ask a healthcare provider about using Tylenol (acetaminophen) for pain.
• Ask a healthcare provider about using OTC nondrowsy antihistamines for swelling and itching.
• Watch closely for more severe reactions.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If your wasp sting symptoms are more than localized pain, swelling, and redness, it is a good idea to seek medical advice. If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction, don't wait to see if it becomes severe—seek emergency care immediately.

Summary

Wasp sting reactions are typically localized and mild, but they can be more unusual, delayed, or severe. Mild symptoms include pain, swelling, and redness at the sting site. Other reactions include serum sickness, rhabdomyolysis, large local reactions, and allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis).

In more severe cases, responses can be body wide, involving many systems. It's urgent to seek emergency medical care immediately if a systemic reaction is suspected.

A Word From Verywell

It's natural to worry about wasp stings. After all, allergies can develop at any age, and when they do, they can be severe. Even so, most people have only mild, localized reactions to wasp stings. But it's still a good idea to be aware of which signs are expected and which indicate an emergency. If you develop body-wide reactions, seek medical attention.