Are Wasps Dangerous? Understanding Stings and Nest Disturbance in West Malling
Washing the sting, cooling it and watching for warning signs covers most stings, and this guide sets out the order to do things in.
Before you treat the sting
The first thing to do after a sting is to remove yourself from wasps. If you were stung near a nest, others will probably follow, so walk away steadily, go indoors or get into a car, and cover your face if you can. Treating a sting while you are still next to the colony is a mistake, because you may be stung again before you have finished.
Once you are clear, sit down and look at the sting. Is it a single mark, or are there several? Do you feel well otherwise? That quick check shapes everything that follows, and it takes only a few seconds. People are often shaky for a short time after a sting because of the adrenaline and the pain, so sitting down also gives you a moment to recover.
Wasps are most active in warm weather and fly mainly by day, so stings often happen in gardens, at picnics and around bins.
Treating an ordinary sting
For one or a few stings in a person who feels well, work through these steps.
- Check for a visible sting and, if there is one, scrape or pick it out gently.
- Wash the area with cool water and mild soap to keep it clean.
- Hold a cold pack, or a cloth wrung out in cold water, on the spot to ease pain and swelling.
- Raise the limb if the sting is on a hand, arm, foot or leg.
- Avoid scratching, since broken skin can become infected.
- Keep an eye on the person for the rest of the day.
If you are not sure what to put on a sting or which medicines are suitable, ask a pharmacist. This guide does not give doses or drug advice.
Children should be comforted and watched more closely than adults, and a very young child who has been stung should be seen by a medical professional if you are at all worried. Older adults and people with other health conditions deserve the same extra care. When in doubt, ask for advice, since calling a pharmacist or the NHS non-emergency line costs nothing and can settle your mind.
Signs that mean call 999
Some reactions go beyond the skin. Call 999 immediately if the person has swelling of the face, lips or throat, a wheeze or difficulty breathing, dizziness or feeling faint, or a widespread rash away from the sting site. These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction.
While waiting for help, stay with the person, keep them calm and let them find the most comfortable position. If they have been prescribed emergency medication by their doctor, help them use it as they were taught. Do not leave them alone, and tell the call handler about the wasp stings so they have the full picture.
A sting in the mouth or throat is also urgent, because swelling there can interfere with breathing. This happens most often when a wasp is swallowed in a drink or food.
Days after the sting
Some people notice that the area gets bigger and itchier after the first day, with swelling that spreads across a joint or limb. This is a larger local reaction. It is uncomfortable, but it often fades within a few days. If it is getting worse after two or three days, feels increasingly hot and tender, leaks fluid or you develop a fever, speak to your GP or pharmacist, as the skin may be infected.
If someone in your household has had one strong reaction, they should speak to their GP, who can advise on the future. Do not rely on a pest article for this, and do not wait for a second event.
Keep the area clean and covered if the skin is broken. A cool, loose bandage is enough, and clothes that do not rub help the swelling go down. Avoid hot baths on the first day, because heat can make the itching worse.
Common first aid mistakes
A few habits get in the way of good care. Squeezing or pinching a visible sting can push more of the contents into the skin, so scrape or pick it out gently. Scratching spreads germs and prolongs the itch. Rubbing the area with household substances rarely helps and can irritate the skin further.
Another mistake is to carry on with what you were doing near the nest. If you were stung, others may follow, so get out of the area first. And do not put off a call for help because the person says they are fine. People with a developing allergic reaction can feel a sense of calm, or insist they are alright, even as their breathing is changing.
Finally, do not treat children, older adults or anyone with a known allergy with the same casual attitude as an otherwise healthy adult. They need closer watching and a lower threshold for getting advice.
Stopping it happening again
First aid is only half of the answer; the other half is dealing with the cause. If stings happened at your home, there may be a nest nearby. Watch from a distance for traffic at a single spot, and book a technician if you find one. Wasp Exterminator Kent charges £120 for a nest, with one visit guaranteed, and £60 for any further nest on the same property, with no call-out fee. We cover West Malling and nearby villages, work seven days a week and can offer same-day appointments. Telephone 01622 410 019 or use the booking form at /contact-us/, and mention any allergy so the job can be prioritised.
Wasps on your property in West Malling?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.