What Do Wasp Stings Look Like?
Like bees, female wasps such as yellow jackets are equipped with a sac of venom and a stinger to deliver the venom into the bloodstream of its victims. Wasp venom is filled with neurotoxins (some insect-specific) that cause the brain to experience the sting as far more painful than the small pinprick the stinger leaves behind. [1]
What the sting site looks like will depend on the type of reaction you have. The most common is a mild localized reaction, but some people experience a large local reaction while others may experience an allergic reaction.
What Mild Localized Reactions to a Wasp Sting Look Like
Most people will only experience a mild localized reaction to wasp venom, which includes pain, redness, itching, and swelling similar in appearance to a variety of insect bites, such as a mosquito, but possibly larger in surface area. [2] Upon close inspection, you may be able to discern a tiny puncture wound at the center of the inflammation where the stinger punctured the skin. You won’t find a lingering stinger or venom sac, unlike a bee sting. The wasp’s smooth stinger is coated with the venom and isn’t left behind when it stings. Because of this, the wasp is able to sting over and over. [3]
What Large Local Reactions to a Wasp Sting Look Like
If your sensitivity to a wasp sting extends beyond the sting site, this is called a large local reaction. For example, this may include the whole hand swelling rather than just a raised welt at the sting site. A large local reaction is usually at its worst at about 48 hours and is expected to clear within 5-10 days fully. [4]
Allergic Reactions to Bee Stings
It is estimated that about 3% of all people stung by bees and wasps will experience an allergic reaction. [5] In cases of an allergic reaction, it can sometimes include itchiness, swelling, and hives in areas other than the sting site. The reaction can progress to symptoms that include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. More serious reactions include tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue and throat, and difficulty swallowing. [6]
If the victim is highly allergic or has been stung in the mouth or nose, an anaphylactic reaction could occur, which requires immediate emergency attention. The reaction includes obstruction of the airways, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and could result in anaphylactic shock or even death. [7]
Resources
- [1] Clinical Neurotoxicology – “Neurotoxic Animal Poisons and Venom.”
- [2] eMedicinehealth.com – “Bee and Wasp Sting Facts.”
- [3] KidsHealth.com – “Bug Bites and Stings.”
- [4] WebMD – “Are You Allergic to Insect Stings?”
- [5] Medicinenet.com – “Bee Sting Treatment.”
- [6] American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology – “Insect Sting Allergy.”
- [7] Medscape.com – “Wasp Stings.”
DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The information, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, and other material on this website, is for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment before undertaking a new healthcare regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this or any other website.
