Treatment for minor reactions
Remove the stinger as soon as you can, as it takes only seconds for all of the venom to enter your body. Get the stinger out any way you can, such as with your fingernails or a tweezer.
Wash the sting area with soap and water.
Apply a cold compress.
Treatment for moderate reactions
The following steps may help ease the swelling and itching often associated with large local reactions:
Remove the stinger as soon as you can.
Wash the affected area with soap and water.
Apply a cold compress.
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as needed. You might try ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Children's Motrin, others) to help ease discomfort.
If the sting is on an arm or leg, elevate it.
Apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to ease redness, itching or swelling.
If itching or swelling is bothersome, take an oral antihistamine that contains diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton).
Avoid scratching the sting area. This will worsen itching and swelling and increase your risk of infection.