Insect stings and bites: treating them properly and preventing them

In short: Bites and stings from mosquitoes, wasps or bees are usually harmless and only cause itching, redness and swelling. What matters is recognising dangerous situations such as allergic reactions or stings in the mouth and throat.

In more detail: Local swelling around the sting is a normal reaction of the body and usually goes down after a few days. If symptoms spread across the whole body, however, it may be an emergency.

Note: This does not replace medical advice.

In detail

• Remove the sting: Bees usually leave their sting in the skin; it should be removed as quickly as possible, for example by carefully scraping it away with a fingernail or a card.
• Cool it: A cold pack wrapped in a cloth or a damp, cold compress eases swelling and pain; do not put ice directly on the skin.
• Do not scratch: Scratching irritates the skin further and can bring germs into the wound.
• Sting in the mouth or throat: A sting in the mouth or throat can make the airways swell shut; call the emergency number 112 immediately and cool the neck from the outside until help arrives.
• Allergic reaction: Warning signs include hives all over the body, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea or a racing heart; in that case also call 112 immediately.
• Known allergy: Anyone who knows they are allergic to insect venom should discuss what to do with their doctor and always carry any emergency kit that has been prescribed.
• Recognising inflammation: If the redness gets larger, warmer and more painful after a few days, a red streak appears or a fever develops, the area should be checked by a doctor.
• Prevention outdoors: Cover sweet drinks outside and ideally drink through a straw, do not swat at wasps and do not walk barefoot on grass.
• Protection against mosquitoes: Fly screens, mosquito nets and long, light-coloured clothing at dusk reduce the number of bites (anaphylaxie-und-allergischer-schock-erste-hilfe, zeckenbiss-richtig-handeln).