Unlike a bee sting, a wasp sting will not remain in the skin. They can sting multiple times without dying.
If a stinger is left behind, the best way to remove it is by scraping a credit card carefully over the skin at the site of the sting. Plucking it with tweezers may be tempting, but the pressure could squeeze leftover venom out of the stinger.
Some of the most common painful stingers in the Australian bush are native bulldog ants of the genus Myrmecia. These are some of the largest ants in the world and combine a painful sting with an aggressive, take-no-prisoners attitude.
Only female wasps and bees should be able to deliver such a painful prick, as their venom-bearing stingers are modified egg-laying organs known as ovipositors. Males are generally considered harmless.
Descriptions of the most painful examples were given, e.g.: "Paraponera clavata stings induced immediate, excruciating pain and numbness to pencil-point pressure, as well as trembling in the form of a totally uncontrollable urge to shake the affected part."
By burying their stingers in their victim's flesh, bees inject an acidic compound called melittin, which switches on the victim's pain receptors. Wasp venom also contains traces of acetylcholine, another chemical that stimulates pain receptors.
1st place: spider-hunting wasp
The Aussie spider-hunting wasp is similar to the "monster" American tarantula hawk wasp, but there's very little information on what happens when they sting.
Severe pain or burning at the site lasts 1 to 2 hours. Normal swelling from venom can increase for 48 hours after the sting. The redness can last 3 days. The swelling can last 7 days.
Brainy as they are, however, the Australian bull ant won't be found wanting in the brawn department. "The venom from Myrmecia stings are among the most potent in the insect world," Dr Yeates said.
If you are experiencing persistent pain and continuous swelling over the course of a couple of days, you may have an infection. If you have an infection or are experiencing an allergic reaction to wasp stings, they can cause more harm.
Outlook. Most bee and wasp stings cause symptoms such as swelling and discoloration that peak about 48 hours after the sting. The initial burning sensation and pain usually only lasts 1–2 hours. Discoloration can persist for 3 days and swelling for up to a week.
The wasp pierces approximately 1.55 mm length section of its stylet into the victim's skin as shown in the transparent view of the stinger in Fig. 1a. This length has been referred based on the height of the venom orifice from the tip of the stinger.
A bee stinger must be removed on priority because it can cause serious consequences if it is not removed promptly. This is because the stinger releases venom. Hence, the longer it is left in the skin, the more venom will be released leading to exaggerated pain, swelling, and other symptoms.
First, look at the stung area closely. You'll likely see a red bump. If a stinger was left behind, you'll also see a small black filament sticking out of the center. It may have a bulbous end, which is the venom sac.
You probably won't have a severe allergic reaction the first time you are stung. But even if your first reaction to a sting is mild, allergic reactions can get worse with each sting. Your next reaction may be more severe or even deadly.
Wash the sting site with soap and water. Placing hydrocortisone cream on the sting can help relieve redness, itching, and swelling. If it's been more than 10 years since your last tetanus booster, get a booster within the next few days. Most insect stings require no additional medical care.
In some cases, however, the swelling from a wasp sting can continue to spread or intensify even after 48 hours have passed. This may be a sign of an allergic reaction, which can be serious or even life-threatening in some cases.
For severe reactions:
Call 911 if the person has an allergic reaction (severe swelling or difficulty breathing). You may need to go to the hospital if the reaction is severe. 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.
So, are wasp stings worse than bee stings? The answer is a little more complicated than a simple yes or no. While both types of stings can be painful and cause swelling, the venom in wasps is typically more potent. This means that you may experience greater symptoms after being stung by a wasp.
Wasps belong to a mixed group comprising more than 12,000 species in Australia, ranging from native to introduced species. The smallest is the minuscule diapriidae, which you can barely see, and the largest is the cicada-killer wasps and spider wasps, both capable of demolishing larger prey.
The pain and discomfort should go away in a few hours. With a more moderate reaction, swelling around the site of the sting may persist for a few days and even grow larger.
People who have had a severe systemic allergic reaction to an insect sting have a 60% chance of a similar or worse reaction if they're stung again. The insects whose stings most commonly cause medical problems are bees, wasps, and ants.
As it turns out, in rare cases, victims of wasp attacks who sustain numerous stings can experience bizarre and unpleasant neurological symptoms and they can even develop neurological conditions that sometimes result in brain tissue death, brain and spinal cord swelling and nerve damage.