We had no idea what the best wasps sting treatment at home was until our youngest got stung several times one evening. He strayed too close to a wasps nest in the ground and it became one of those parenting moments that we will never forget. Here’s our 5 ways on how to treat painful wasps stings at home.
You can read our full wasps sting story here.
The Do's and Dont's of Treating Wasps Stings at Home
1. Do Immediately Treat...
Wasps stings don’t usually leave anything behind for you to remove so the best wasp sting treatment is to wash the affected area with gentle soap and water. Then apply a cold flannel to the area for several minutes – this helps the swelling as well as providing pain relief. The NHS also suggests paracetamol or an antihistamine might help to ease the discomfort or itching after a wasp sting.
Seek advice from a medical professional immediately if you are worried or symptoms are worsening.
2. Don't use every remedy on Google...
There are many wasp sting treatments on Google and the danger is that they may cause more harm than good. Generally the initial pain will ease after a few hours with a cool cloth and some mild pain relief. Most wasps stings will leave some redness or swelling and will completely clear up after a few days.
So try a few distraction techniques for your child – cuddles, conversation, a story or their favourite toy will all go a long way to turning a scary, painful experience into a fun, positive memory for them.
Seek advice from a medical professional immediately if you are worried or symptoms are worsening.
3. Do be calm...
Be calm. Children will naturally pick up on your own stress and anxiety so do your best to stay calm and focused. Wasp sting treatments at home are simple and effective so being a calm presence for your child is just as important as the wet paper towel and a well-known brand of kid’s paracetamol. Take your time to treat the wasp sting, encouraging the child to process their own feelings about what has happened. Be their support if they need to cry or be scared or sad.
It will also allow you to watch closely for signs of a worsening reaction.
Seek advice from a medical professional immediately if you are worried or symptoms are worsening.
4. Do Get Informed...
Wasp stings are painful and even with the most prompt wasp sting treatment at home and the most calm parents, children can become fearful of wasps. Our own child was still extremely nervous of wasps several months later. So, the treatment after a wasp sting doesn’t end when the physical symptoms have passed. Get informed about what wasps are and what they do and the cool stuff about them. Talk about it with your child and help them to mentally and emotionally recover from their ordeal.
Click here for some interesting facts about wasps from the Natural History Museum.
5. Do Share Your Story...
There are two stories of wasps stings for you to share. So far, I’ve focused on enabling your child to share and process what can be a terrifying experience. But you can also share your own experience of wasps stings. If you have been stung, tell your child about it. And don’t forget to tell your friends or family about your own fears in the moment of desperately trying to get your child away from a swarm of wasps.
For More Information about Wasps Stings and Insect Bites
Remember some wasps stings will need medical treatment. Seek advice from a medical professional if you are worried or click here for a list of important things to look out for that will need swift medical attention.
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