Quick Scoop: For a hornet sting, wash the area with soap and water, apply a cold compress, and elevate the limb if it’s on an arm or leg. Most mild stings improve with home care, but breathing trouble, widespread hives, dizziness, or swelling of the face, mouth, or throat need emergency care.

What to do now

  1. Move away from the hornet so you don’t get stung again.
  2. Wash the sting site gently with soap and water.
  1. Put ice or a cold pack wrapped in cloth on it for 10–15 minutes at a time.
  1. If it’s on an arm or leg, keep it raised to help swelling go down.
  1. For pain or itch, consider an over-the-counter pain reliever or antihistamine if you normally can take them.

When to get help

Seek urgent medical help right away if you have:

  • Trouble breathing or wheezing.
  • Swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, or face.
  • Hives spreading beyond the sting area.
  • Dizziness, fainting, or a rapid heartbeat.

Get medical advice sooner if the sting is near the eye, mouth, or throat, or if redness, warmth, pus, or worsening pain suggests infection.

What not to do

  • Don’t squeeze the sting site.
  • Don’t scratch it.
  • Don’t apply heat to the area.
  • Don’t assume it’s harmless if symptoms are spreading.

Practical note

Most hornet stings are painful but manageable at home, and symptoms often start easing within a few hours. If you want, I can also give you a one- minute first-aid checklist for hornet stings.