How to Treat Yellowjacket Stings

Yellow jackets are a type of wasp. They become aggressively defensive if anything disturbs their nest. They can sting you more than once. The best thing you can do is stay away from yellow jackets or speak to a pest control company about getting rid of the nests. If you do get stung, remain calm. You can easily treat a yellow jacket sting at home.

Instructions

• 1

  Wash the area where the yellow jack stung. Yellow jackets do not leave a stinger, but clean the area to remove venom left by the sting. Use warm water and a mild soap.

• 2

  Apply a cold compress to the sting site. This will reduce swelling. Run a clean washcloth under cold water and wring it out for an easy compress. You also can make a compress by placing ice in a towel. Hold the compress on the sting site for 10 minutes.

• 3

  Apply an over-the-counter 1 percent hydrocortisone cream to the sting site. You can buy this at any drug store. Follow the directions on the package. This cream will help reduce itching and swelling.

• 4

  Take a pain medicine such as ibuprofen. It relieves pain and reduces swelling. Follow the directions on the label.

• 5

  Take an over-the-counter antihistamine product if your skin continues to itch or swell. Follow the directions on the label for the proper dosage.