Wasp stings

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Wasp stings

Question:

What should you do for a wasp sting to a 13-month-old?

Answer:

The skin is the largest organ in the body. Much of it is exposed during the warmer months of the summer. Thus, insect bites are very common in children, especially younger ones who spend lots of time outdoors with uncovered skin.

Once someone has an insect bite, there usually is a local reaction with some mild redness, a little swelling, and possibly some itchiness. If it is itchy, an antihistamine like Benadryl can be given by mouth. Look for increasing redness, more swelling, tenderness to touch, drainage of pus from the bite, or even a piece of the stinger from the insect stuck in the skin.

Be sure the person stung isn't having any allergic reaction with wheezing or trouble breathing. It's also important to watch for any signs or symptoms of illness or infection. To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently scrape it off horizontally with your fingernail or a credit card.

The best thing to do is try to avoid getting bitten in the first place. Some ideas you might think about include staying indoors at peak biting times (early morning and dusk), avoiding the use of perfumes or scented soaps on your child, and staying away from places where insects gather (standing water, flower gardens and uncovered foods). Bug nets can also be helpful to protect infants and small children who are in strollers.

Henry (Hank) Bernstein, D.O. is a Senior Lecturer in Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Pediatrics at Dartmouth Medical School. Formerly the Associate Chief of General Pediatrics and Director of Primary Care at Children's Hospital Boston, he currently is the Chief of General Academic Pediatrics at Children's Hospital at Dartmouth. He has extensive and varied experience as a primary care pediatrician, and is a spokesperson for the news media on a variety of pediatric health care topics, including vaccination, common childhood illnesses, and practical information for caregivers.

Last updated:	July 20, 2009