If you have been stung by a wasp, here are some steps you can take to alleviate the pain and reduce the risk of infection:

1. Remove the stinger from the skin (if it is still present) by gently scraping across the site with a blunt-edged object, such as a credit card, a dull knife, or a fingernail. Do not try to pull it out, as this may release more venom.

2. Clean the area thoroughly with soap and water to remove any bacteria or venom the wasp might have carried.

3. Apply a cold pack wrapped in a thin cloth to the sting site for 30 to 60 minutes, in intervals of 10 minutes on and off. This will help reduce the swelling and pain of the wasp sting.

4. Take an anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen to reduce the swelling and lessen pain from the wasp sting.

5. Apply an antihistamine, corticosteroid, or calamine cream to the entire red and swollen area to relieve the itchiness and alleviate the pain of the wasp sting.

6. Keep the affected area still, if possible, to prevent the venom from spreading.

7. Loosen clothing and remove rings and other tight jewelry.

If you have an allergy to wasp, bee, hornet, or yellow jacket stings, always carry a bee sting kit and know how to use it. These kits require a prescription and contain a medicine called epinephrine, which you should take right away if you get a wasp sting. Seek medical attention if you have been stung in the mouth, nose, or throat, or if you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, severe decrease in blood pressure, or collapse (shock) .