What do you do if you get stung by an insect?

Brush the insect away from your skin and then walk away from the area.

• If the stinger is left in the skin, remove the stinger by scraping it off with a flat surface (ie. credit card). To prevent more venom from entering the stung area, do NOT use tweezers or your fingertips.



• To reduce the swelling, apply something cold (ie. ice, bag of peas or wet sand/mud).



• If you notice any of the following symptoms seek medical help immediately.

-Severe headache
-Dizziness
-Stomach cramps, nausea or diarrhea
-Hives or generalized itching (other than the site of the sting)
-Swelling of the throat or tongue
-Difficulty breathing

• If you have been prescribed an Epinephrine Auto-Injector because of a previous allergic reaction to a sting, use it right away and call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room within 20 minutes.