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Heather Graham, St John Ambulance
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First Aid Trainer with St John Ambulance. Teaches both parents and teachers how to perform first aid on babies and children. St John Ambulance is the leading first aid charity in the UK.
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Baby first aid

Bee and wasp stings

If your child is unlucky and gets stung by a bee, the stinger and part of the abdomen will be left behind. This contains the poison sac, which needs to be scraped off.
Video Tutorial
In Short
Use a credit card to scrape off the sting.

Use a cold compress to stop swelling.

If your baby has other allergies, keep antihistamines/ epipens handy.

Bee Stings

The aim of the first aid treatment is to get the stinger off, without letting any more of the poison get into your child’s body.

Get a credit card or a knife to scrape off the sting if it’s visible.

Don’t use tweezers as you can risk pushing more poison into the wound.

You can then reduce the swelling with an ice pack (not ice directly onto the skin as it can ‘burn’) or a cold compress for at least 10 minutes.

Raise the affected part of the body, if possible.

If the sting is to the mouth or throat it can be dangerous since the swelling might impact on the airway. If this happens, give the child an ice-cube to suck, or cold water, which can help reduce the swelling.

If you’re concerned, or the child is starting to have difficulty breathing, call an ambulance.

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Wasps Stings

Wasps do not leave their sting behind so after your child has been stung, simply comfort them and reduce swelling with a cool pack.

Allergies

If you have a child that’s allergic to many things, then they might well also be allergic to bees, so it’s a good idea to keep piriton and epipens in your first aid kit in your bag in case of a severe reaction.

If your child starts to show any sign of impaired breathing or swelling to the face, neck, tongue, mouth or lips after a bee or wasp sting , or any widely spreading rash , then call an ambulance straight away.

If you have piriton (anti-histamine) then give this to the child straight away (the relevant dose for the child’s age).

If you have an epipen, have that at the ready in case the symptoms require it before the ambulance arrives.

DISCLAIMER
This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Essential Parent has used all reasonable care in compiling the information from leading experts and institutions but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details click here.