If you have been stung by a wasp, there are several things you can do to alleviate the pain and swelling. Here are some options:

• Wash the affected area with warm soap and water to remove any bacteria or venom the wasp might have carried.
• Apply a cold compress 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.
• Take an anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen to reduce the swelling and pain of the wasp sting.
• Apply an antihistamine, corticosteroid, or calamine cream to the entire red and swollen area to relieve the itchiness and pain of the wasp sting.

It is important to note that if you experience any of the following reactions to a sting, you should seek immediate medical attention:

• Intense pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the lips, eyelids, or throat
• Dizziness, faintness, or confusion
• Rapid heartbeat
• Hives
• Nausea, cramps, or vomiting.

If you have a known or suspected allergy to stings, you should carry a bee sting kit (such as EpiPen) at all times 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.