Muscle and Joint Pain After a Wasp Sting: What to Do

Wasp sting reactions can range from mild discomfort to severe pain and life-threatening allergies. Fortunately, most of the time, wasp stings are not an emergency.

Although rare, fatalities can occur from wasp stings, so it’s essential to recognize the signs of severe wasp sting reactions.

This article explains wasp sting reactions, symptoms, and treatment.

Possible Wasp Sting Reactions

Wasp sting reactions can be localized or widespread, occur immediately or be delayed, and range from mild to severe. Here are some reactions to be aware of.

Serum Sickness

Serum sickness is a complication that can occur from insect stings or from antiserum treatments for insect stings. Serum sickness is similar to an allergic reaction. It is often a delayed reaction, sometimes occurring one to two weeks after a sting.

Symptoms of serum sickness include:

Rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyolysis, or “rhabdo,” is a rare and severe complication from wasp stings. It causes muscle breakdown and disrupts fluid and electrolyte balance, often impacting the kidneys.

Researchers suspect rhabdomyolysis occurs due to the toxic effect of wasp venom on muscles. This complication is the result of multiple stings, often more than 50 at a time.

Symptoms may appear days after a sting and include:

Large Local Reaction

Wasp stings often result in significant, localized inflammation. Around 10% of people develop a large local reaction, with redness and swelling at the sting site. Some may also feel fatigued or nauseous. 

A large local reaction can become as big as 4 inches in diameter—sometimes even bigger. It may increase in size over one or two days, then resolve in five to 10 days.

This kind of reaction is not a risk factor for developing anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction). Only 5% to 10% of people with a large local reaction will develop an allergy to bee stings.

Allergic Reaction

An allergic reaction to a wasp sting happens when your immune system overreacts to the venom. If you experience symptoms beyond local redness, swelling, itching, or pain at the sting site, you might be allergic.

Wasp sting allergy symptoms can progress quickly. Therefore, you should seek medical treatment immediately if you notice any allergy symptoms after being stung.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction and a life-threatening medical emergency. These reactions can develop quickly after a sting, often within minutes. Therefore, if you notice any signs of anaphylaxis, call 911 immediately.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis after a wasp sting include:

Symptoms of a Reaction

Most wasp sting reactions are mild. Common wasp sting reactions include localized itching, swelling, and pain. However, some reactions can be severe and even life-threatening.

Treatment

Most of the time, you can treat mild wasp sting reactions with home remedies. Unlike bees, wasps do not lose their stingers when they sting, which allows them to sting you multiple times. From a treatment standpoint, you don’t have to remove a stinger.

At-home wasp sting treatment measures include:

• Wash the sting site thoroughly with soap and water.
• Ice the area to reduce pain and swelling.
• Raise the affected limb to reduce swelling.
• Use a paste made of baking soda and water to reduce pain and swelling.
• Consider over-the-counter (OTC) treatments for insect stings.
• Ask a healthcare provider about using Tylenol (acetaminophen) for pain.
• Ask a healthcare provider about using OTC nondrowsy antihistamines for swelling and itching.
• Watch closely for more severe reactions.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If your wasp sting symptoms are more than localized pain, swelling, and redness, it is a good idea to seek medical advice. If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction, don’t wait to see if it becomes severe—seek emergency care immediately.