← Snakes, bites and stings

On land

Bees, wasps and ants

Allergy risk

Do now Scrape the sting out. If breathing is hard or the tongue swells, call 000 and follow the allergic reaction steps.

For a bee sting, scrape the sting out with a fingernail rather than pulling it. Wash the area and use a cold pack. Wasps do not leave a sting behind, and they can sting more than once.

  • Ant stings, like bee and wasp stings, carry a high risk of a severe allergic reaction.
  • Go to hospital if someone is stung in the mouth, or stung many times in one incident: more than 10 times for an adult, more than 5 for a child.

SourcesANZCOR — ticks, bees, wasps and ants (9.4.3)Better Health Channel — bites and stings first aid

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This is one card from Snakes, bites and stings, part of Emergency and safety. General information, not legal, medical or migration advice.

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