How to Relieve the Itching From a Wasp Sting

Wasp stings are often accompanied with sharp pain, redness, swelling and itchiness at the site of the sting due to the alkaline venom present in the stinger. While over-the-counter pain medications can take care of a lot of the discomfort, the itchy sensation that accompanies a wasp sting can be somewhat trickier to alleviate. A number of home remedies are available to relieve the itchiness around the site of the sting.

Instructions

• 1

  Do not scratch the site of the sting. Scratching will spread the venom, making the itching worse. Remove the stinger to prevent more venom from irritating the skin. Clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water to prevent infection and wash the venom away.

• 2

  Apply ice cubes or an ice pack to the wound to reduce swelling and temporarily relieve itching.

• 3

  Soak a cotton pad with apple cider vinegar, regular vinegar or lemon juice and press it to the wound. This will sting a little, but the acid will neutralize the venom, helping to alleviate the pain and itching.

• 4

  Use a topical or oral antihistamine to help with the itching. You don't need a prescription; over-the-counter allergy medication will suffice. You can also apply calamine lotion up to five times a day to relieve the itching.

• 5

  Dab aloe vera gel on the sting site if you prefer a more natural remedy.

• 6

  Apply an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. If the site becomes even mildly infected, the itching will increase.

• 7

  Prevent night-time itching by mixing baking soda and water into a paste. Apply the paste to the site and wrap it in gauze. Leave it on overnight to promote healing.