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Bee, wasp and fire ant stings, and scorpions: first aid and the signs
For anyone who was just stung by a bee, a wasp, a hornet, fire ants or a scorpion, or is looking after someone who was. This page passes on, by name, what CDC’s page Insects and Scorpions at Work says (from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH) and what the MedlinePlus summary on insect bites and stings says (from the National Library of Medicine): first aid, the signs of a severe allergic reaction, fire ants, scorpions, and how to keep from being stung. It builds the words to tell a nurse, a doctor or a poison center and prints a card to fill in.
Right now
- Trouble breathing, swelling that spreads, chest pain, or slurred speech? Call 911. CDC says anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction to venom, requires immediate emergency care; the 911 line is ours. If the person carries epinephrine, it is used as its label says.
- Stay with the person to see if an allergic reaction starts (CDC).
- Bee, wasp or hornet: wash with soap and water; scrape the stinger out with gauze or a fingernail, never squeeze it or use tweezers; put ice on it; do not scratch (CDC).
- Fire ants: rub them off briskly (CDC). Many insects attacking: run, get indoors, and do not jump into water (CDC).
- Scorpion: contact a health care provider or a poison control center; ice, but not ice water; no sedatives (CDC).
More help
- A severe allergic reaction: the signs and what to do. An emergency of another kind: First aid: what to do right now.
- A poison center: When it might be a poisoning. Before a visit: Get ready for your appointment. No insurance: When you need a doctor and can’t pay.
- Other bites outdoors: Spider bites · After a tick bite · Snakebite · Animal bites.
- All our free tools.
Looking after a baby or child? The pages on this site for a baby or child, on one list.
This page and its wording were written with AI (Claude) for Scarlet Beast (our AI policy). No doctor or nurse has reviewed it. The facts were read on October 14, 2026 on two government pages: Insects and Scorpions at Work on cdc.gov, from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (updated and reviewed September 28, 2026), the main source, and the summary of the MedlinePlus health topic Insect Bites and Stings, from the National Library of Medicine. CDC’s page is written for outdoor workers; its first aid fits anyone. The 911 line is ours: CDC says anaphylaxis requires immediate emergency care, and lists the signs that mean going to an emergency medical facility immediately after fire ant stings; it does not name 911. Medicines: CDC names an EpiPen (an epinephrine auto-injector) for people with a history of severe reactions, and says antihistamines may help after fire ant stings; MedlinePlus says to carry an emergency epinephrine kit if you know you react badly. No other brand and no amount is given here. What we left out: home remedies, pictures of insects, mosquitoes and fleas (the diseases they carry are another subject), allergy shots and testing, and what a hospital does (that is its work). This page saves nothing and loads no trackers.