Insect Bites and Stings
Insect Bites and Stings
What you can do:
 For wasp stings, bathe the area in vinegar.
What you can do:
 For wasp stings, bathe the area in vinegar.

For bee stings, remove the sting with the
For bee stings, remove the sting with the
back of your fingernail or a credit card and
back of your fingernail or a credit card and
bathe the area in baking soda and water
bathe the area in baking soda and water
mixture
mixture
Rub calamine lotion or other soothing

creams on the area

Serious stings are rare. They can happen if you are allergic to bee or wasp
creams on the area

stings or you are stung on the tongue or throat

Some people can be severely allergic to insect bites or stings
Rub calamine lotion or other soothing
Serious stings are rare. They can happen if you are allergic to bee or wasp
stings or you are stung on the tongue or throat

Some people can be severely allergic to insect bites or stings
CONTACT THE DOCTOR IF:
CONTACT THE DOCTOR IF:

You are stung in the mouth

You are stung in the mouth

You get stung several times

You get stung several times

In children under 2 years of age

In children under 2 years of age
If you have a severe allergic reaction to a sting you may:
If you have a severe allergic reaction to a sting you may:

Feel dizzy & sick

Feel dizzy & sick

Have a runny, itchy nose & eyes & develop a rash

Have a runny, itchy nose & eyes & develop a rash

Get swelling in an area of the body

Get swelling in an area of the body

Get a swollen tongue

Get a swollen tongue

Have difficulty breathing & even lose consciousness (faint or ‘pass-out’)

Have difficulty breathing & even lose consciousness (faint or ‘pass-out’)
If you have a severe allergic reaction, call 999 for an
ambulance.
If you have a severe allergic reaction, call 999 for an
ambulance.
Leaflet adapted from East Lancashire PCT
Leaflet adapted from East Lancashire PCT