How to Care for Hornet Stings

Although a hornet sting is painful, most people will survive with mild discomfort: itching, swelling and irritation. Others will suffer problems breathing, chest pains, vomiting or other major symptoms. This can be caused by anaphylactic shock. Approximately 100 people die from insect stings every year. This affects the 1 million to 2 million people that are allergic to insect stings. If symptoms persist, contact your doctor immediately.

Things You'll Need

• Ice
• Plastic bag
• 2-percent ammonia solution
• Cotton ball
• Baking soda
• Distilled water
• Pain medication, ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Heat pack

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Instructions

• 1

  Place ice in a plastic bag. Put the bag over the hornet sting for 20 minutes. Remove the ice bag for 20 minutes. Repeat this process for five hours. That reduces the swelling.

• 2

  Place a few drops of ammonia solution on a cotton ball. Press the cotton ball on the hornet sting. Let the area absorb the ammonia solution for five minutes.

• 3

  Pour 3 tbsp. of baking soda and 1 tbsp. of distilled water into a cup. Mix the baking soda and water into a paste. Apply the paste to the sting. Leave the paste on the sting for five minutes.

• 4

  Administer pain relief medicine such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are pain relievers that also reduce inflammation.

• 5

  Rub the area with a hydrocortisone cream if the area itches. Apply the cream four times a day.

• 6

  Place a heat pack on the area after two or three days. Heat the area for 20 minutes at a time. If symptoms persist for more than three days, contact your doctor immediately.