Treatment of Stings, insect

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As soon as you realise you have been stung you should remove the sting with your fingers. If a child has been stung a responsible adult should remove the sting. You should be very careful not to spread the venom further under the skin as you remove the sting. Bee stings have a venomous sac; you should try not to puncture this as you remove the sting.

Wash the area with soap and water.
Put a cold flannel on the area.
Raise the part of the body that has been stung to prevent swelling.
Use a spray or cream containing local anaesthetic or antihistamine on the area to stop the itching and swelling.
Take painkillers, such as paracetamol if it is very painful.
Do not scratch the area as it may become infected.
Keep childrenâ€™s fingernails short and clean.

If the redness and itching does not clear up after 48 hours see your GP.

If you experience swelling or itching anywhere else on the body after being stung, or wheezing or difficulty swallowing, you should call 999 for an ambulance, as you may be having an allergic reaction. In this case you may need to have an adrenaline injection, antihistamines, oxygen and/or an intravenous drip.

Afterwards you may be referred to an allergy clinic or immunologist. Your doctor may suggest venom immunotherapy treatment. This involves being injected on a regular basis with small doses of venom so that you become desensitised and eventually cured of your allergy.