Home Treatment:

Seek immediate medical attention.

Wash the area with warm water if possible. Soak the wound in the hottest water the person can tolerate for 30 to 90 minutes while seeking medical attention.

Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Time of the sting

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room:

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

The wound will be soaked in a cleaning solution and any remaining foreign material will be removed. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate.

The patient may also receive:

• Antibiotics, if necessary
• Life support (blood pressure, circulation, breathing), if necessary
• Pain medication
• Tetanus shot, if necessary

Expectations (prognosis):

How well a person does often depends on how much poisonous venom entered the body and how soon treatment is received.