first-aidemergencyinjurysafety
What do I do if my child gets stung by a bee or wasp at a splash pad?
Quick answer
Move the child away from the area, scrape the stinger out sideways with a fingernail or card, wash with soap and water, apply a cold pack and dab on hydrocortisone or baking-soda paste. Watch for swelling beyond the sting, hives, wheezing, or facial swelling — those signal anaphylaxis and need 911.
Wasps and bees are drawn to splash pad areas because of nearby trash, sugary drinks, and open water. If your child is stung, calmly walk them away from the spot — wasps can sting repeatedly. If a stinger is visible (bees only — wasps do not leave one) scrape it out sideways with a fingernail, credit card, or tweezer-pinch close to skin; do not squeeze the venom sac. Wash the site with soap and water, apply a cold pack for 10 minutes on, 10 off, and use 1% hydrocortisone or a paste of baking soda and water for itch. Children's antihistamine helps with localized swelling. The emergency signs to call 911: tongue or lip swelling, difficulty breathing, hives spreading beyond the sting site, dizziness, or vomiting. If your child has a known sting allergy, use the epinephrine auto-injector immediately and then call 911 — do not wait to see if symptoms progress.