13 Best Home Remedies for Yellow Jacket Stings and Swelling

Yellow jackets are also called Vespula, Dolichovespula, or Paravespula, thin wasps with long dark wings and yellow and black coloring. Unlike honey bees which live in hives and produce honey, yellow jackets exist in nests on the ground or secluded areas.

While honey bees sting you once, yellow jackets are able to sting the patients multiple times. When you have a sting, the yellow jackets may inject a poisonous venom by piercing your skin. As a result, you experience the sudden pain. After being stung, your affected skin areas may have redness or inflammation. Sufferers from yellow jacket stings also experience the common symptoms such as itching, fatigue, and warmth around the affected site.

Do you want to know about home remedies for yellow jacket stings? You can find the excellent answer in this article in AllRemedies.com.

I – Symptoms Of Yellow Jacket Sting

When a yellow jacket stings you, the most common symptoms are tenderness, swelling, and redness near the affected areas. However, if you see those following emergency symptoms, you may seek medical attention immediately.

• Wheezing or coughing
• Changes to your skin. For example, your affected skin areas may break out into hives.
• Difficulty in swallowing or breathing, or the tightness in the throat and chest
• Dizzy or lightheaded sensation, or even passing out.
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Confusion and weakness
• Swelling of the tongue
• Fainting

If you experience those symptoms, it means that you are having an allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This serious allergic reaction is life-threatening.

If you see someone who has the symptoms of anaphylaxis, you should do this first aid:

• Call 911 as fast as you can
• Keep the patient calm
• Keep him or her lie on his or her back
• Raise his or her feet about 12 inches and then use a blanket to cover him or her
• Let him or her lie on his or her side if he or she is about to bleed or vomit
• Loosen his or her clothing to make the patient breathe more easily
• Avoid raising his or her head, giving any drink or oral medications when the patient has difficulty in breathing.

It is important for you to note that squeezing the stinger out should be avoided because it may make more venom release into your system, worsening the condition.

If the yellow jacket sting is mild and treatable, you can use those home remedies. In this article, I would like to introduce to you the best home remedies for yellow jacket stings.

II – The Best Home Remedies For Yellow Jacket Stings

1. Cold Compresses

If you suffer from yellow jacket stings, cold compresses can give you a significant relief. Therefore, in this article about the best home remedies for yellow jacket stings, I would like to introduce it to you. The cold compresses are effective in reducing itching, inflammation, and swelling by numbing the nerves.

According to a study published in the Clinical Techniques in Small Animal Practice, using cold compresses along with corticosteroid and lidocaine lotions can treat yellow jacket stings effectively and successfully.

Here is the instruction on how to use cold compresses as one of amazing home remedies for yellow jacket stings:

• Put some ice cubes into a bowl filled with cold water
• Dip a cloth in this bowl
• Squeeze the cloth to remove the excess water
• Place this cloth on the area where you have stings
• Allow it to sit on for about 10 minutes
• Do it 2 or 3 times. It is recommended repeating this treatment several times a day to get a satisfactory result.

You can apply a bag of frozen vegetables or a cold bottle of water on the stung areas. When you use cold compresses to treat yellow jacket stings, you should not apply ice cubes directly to your skin because it may lead to frostbite.

2. Vinegar

When you are looking for amazing home remedies for yellow jacket stings, you should not ignore vinegar. The acetic acid in vinegar can reduce inflammation and swelling because it has anti-inflammatory properties.

Using vinegar can help neutralize the acid present in venom, relieving itching and pain.

Here is the instruction:

• Dip a cotton ball in unfiltered, raw white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Place this cotton ball on the affected areas for 10 minutes. Repeat it several times to get the best result.
• Alternatively, you can mix apple cider vinegar or white vinegar with a sufficient amount of commercial meat tenderizer to create a paste. Spread this paste over the affected skin area for about 30 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. You should repeat this treatment for the best result.

There are more other home remedies for yellow jacket stings. You should continue reading to know more.

Read also: 50 Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar For Health And Beauty 

3. Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of amazing home remedies for yellow jacket stings I would like to introduce to you in this article. Baking soda has the alkaline effect that can help neutralize the venom of the stings. Using baking soda can give you a significant relief from the itching, pain, inflammation, redness, and swelling because it contains anti-inflammatory properties.

Here is the instruction:

• Mix a little water with 1 teaspoon of baking soda to create a paste
• Spread this paste over your affected skin area for about 5 to 10 minutes
• Wash it off with lukewarm water
• Repeat it several times daily

4. Honey

There are a lot of health and beauty benefits of honey. One of them is to treat yellow jacket sting. Therefore, in this article about the best natural home remedies for yellow jacket stings, I would like to share with you the instruction of using honey for treating yellow jacket stings. Honey has the enzymes that can neutralize the stings, reducing itching and pain within a few minutes. Moreover, honey contains antibacterial properties; therefore, using honey can help prevent infection.

Here is the instruction:

• Apply some raw honey to the affected area. Allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. To treat yellow jacket stings effectively and fast, you should repeat this solution a couple times daily for a few days.
• Alternatively, mix honey with 1 teaspoon of turmeric to make a smooth paste and then spread this mixture over the affected skin area. Let it dry and then wash it off with warm water. You should repeat this treatment 3 or 5 times daily for at least 2 days to get the best result.

Learn more: Honey for Skin Care – 34 Benefits and Uses of It for Skin 

5. Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal ^[1] is one of amazing home remedies for yellow jacket stings I would like to introduce to you in this article. Topical application of activated charcoal can help get rid of toxic substances from your body. It is recommended using activated charcoal immediately when you are stung to prevent the pain and swelling.

Here is the instruction:

• Rub a wet charcoal tablet on a band-aid until it turns entirely black. Hold this band-aid over the affected area. Leave it for a couple of hours. Repeat this treatment with the new band-aid. Repeat it several times daily.
• Alternatively, put the contents of 2 or 3 charcoal capsules into the bowl. Add some water to this bowl and stir it well to create a paste. Spread this mixture over the affected area and leave it for a few hours. Wash it off with warm water. Do this treatment several times if needed.

If you do not like to apply charcoal topically, you can take charcoal capsules. However, make sure that you consult your doctor carefully and take precautions before taking.

6. Plantain

Health experts have recommended plantain ^[2] leaves as one of amazing home remedies for yellow jacket stings. Plantain leaves have the anti-inflammatory properties; therefore, it can help relieve swelling, pain, and itching. Furthermore, the antibacterial properties of plantain leaves can help prevent infection that may delay healing.

Here is the instruction:

• Crush the plantain leaves with your hands to extract its juice. Spread the juice over the affected skin area. Wait for a few minutes until it dries. Wash it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this treatment a few times daily for a couple of days to get the best result.
• Alternatively, apply the over-the-counter plantain ointment to the stung area several times daily to fasten the recovery.

Plantain is also one of the amazing home remedies for staph infection.

7. Aspirin

Aspirin is considered as one of amazing home remedies for yellow jacket stings I would like to introduce to you in this article. Using aspirin can help neutralize the venom and fasten the recovery. Furthermore, aspirin contains anti-inflammatory properties that can keep you from swelling and pain.

Here is the instruction:

• Add 2 or 3 aspirins into a sufficient amount of water to create a thin paste
• Spread this paste over the affected skin area and then wait until it dries
• Rinse it off with warm water

If you want to see the noticeable result, you should repeat it for a couple of days.

8. Onions

If you are looking for the best home remedies for yellow jacket stings, you should not ignore onions. The topical use of onions is effective in relieving itching and swelling caused by small insects, including yellow jackets. Furthermore, onions have the strong smell that keeps insects from stinging you again. Do you want to use onions as one of amazing home remedies for yellow jacket stings? You should follow this instruction:

• Extract the juice from an onion and then apply it to the affected skin area. Leave it for 15 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this treatment to get the best result.
• Hold a slice of onion over the stung area and use a gauze to wrap it. Let it sit in place for about 30 minutes and then remove the gauze. Wash it off with lukewarm water. Repeat it to get a satisfactory result.

Furthermore, if you looking for the treatments of chest congestion, onions are the best one.

9. White Toothpaste

White toothpaste is not only used to brush your teeth but also considered as one of amazing home remedies for yellow jacket stings. White toothpaste is effective in neutralizing the venom, which in turn fasten the healing process, reduce the pain and soothe the swelling.

Here is the instruction:

• Squeeze some white toothpaste and then rub it on the affected skin area
• Let it sit on your skin for a couple of hours
• Wash it off with lukewarm water
• Repeat it if you want

However, not all kinds of toothpaste are natural home remedies for yellow jacket stings. It is important for you to avoid gel, whitening or colored toothpaste.

10. Ammonia

Do you know that ammonia ^[3] has alkaline effect; therefore, using ammonia can help get rid of the acidic toxins from the insect venom, reducing the symptoms and fastening the healing process. Furthermore, it also soothes the stinging sensation, relieves itching and reduces the pain. Undoubtedly, ammonia is one of the best home remedies for yellow jacket stings you should know.

Here is the instruction:

• Dip a cotton ball in the ammonia
• Place it over the affected area and dab it
• Repeat the treatment to get a satisfactory result

Ammonia has the strong properties; therefore, it may cause skin reactions in some people. To make sure that you can use ammonia to treat yellow jacket stings, you should test it on your wrist to check for any reactions.

III – Natural Home Remedies For Yellow Jacket Sting – Soothing Essential Oil

Essential oils possess healing substances. They also contain medicinal properties that can heal and soothe yellow jacket stings. Many essential oils are considered as amazing natural home remedies for yellow jacket stings.

• Essential oils contain analgesic compounds can soothe burning sensation, itching and reduce the pain caused by the yellow jacket sting.
• Essential oils have anti-inflammatory compounds that can alleviate inflammation, swelling, and redness of the sting.
• Essential oils also have antioxidant compounds that can repair the damaged cells, fasten the healing process and increase the production of new healthy cells.
• The antimicrobial and antibacterial compounds present in essential oils can keep the wound from the infection.

Essential oils ^[4] that are considered as natural home remedies for yellow jacket stings include sandalwood, geranium, basil, rosemary, citronella, peppermint, eucalyptus, roman chamomile, tea tree,  and lavender oils.

Continue reading to know how to use essential oils as natural home remedies for yellow jacket stings.

Read also: Oil for Skin Care – Top 22 Natural Essential Oils 

1. ACV Compress

This compress is effective in relieving the heat, itching and burning sensation in the sting area because it has a cooling effect.

To use ACV compress, you should prepare:

• ¼ cup of cold water
• Cotton balls
• ¼ cup of organic apple cider vinegar
• 2 drops of lavender oil
• 2 drops of eucalyptus oil

Here is the instruction:

• Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl
• Soak a cotton ball into this mixture and dab it to the affected skin area

If you want to have a satisfactory result, you should repeat this treatment for a couple of days.

Read more: 29 Benefits of Lavender Oil for Hair, Skin, and Health 

2. Toxic Drawing Paste

As natural home remedies for yellow jacket stings, essential oils can be used to make the toxic drawing paste. This paste can help neutralize the venom of the yellow jacket stings and prevent the infection.

You will need:

• 1 teaspoon of lavender hydrosol
• 2 teaspoon of baking soda
• 2 drops of peppermint oil
• 2 drops of roman chamomile oil

Here is the instruction:

• Mix baking soda with lavender hydrosol to create a thick and smooth paste (if the lavender hydrosol is not available, you can use plain water instead)
• Add peppermint oil and roman chamomile oil to this mixture
• Spread this mixture over your affected skin
• Leave it for at least 30 minutes
• Rinse it off with lukewarm water

This treatment should be repeated for a few days if you want to get the noticeable result.

Learn more: 53 Health and Beauty Benefits of Peppermint 

3. Antibacterial Ointment

If you suffer from yellow jacket stings and want to use essential oils as natural home remedies for yellow jacket stings, you should not ignore antibacterial ointment. This ointment can help prevent antibacterial infection that may inhibit the healing and lead to fever if not treated soon.

To use antibacterial ointment as one of amazing home remedies for yellow jacket stings, you should prepare all following ingredients:

• 4 drops of tea tree oil
• ½ cup of shea butter
• 4 drops of geranium oil
• 4 drops of rosemary oil

Here is the instruction:

• Use a double boiler to melt the shea butter
• Put tea tree oil, rosemary oil and geranium oil into the melt shea butter and stir it well
• Store it in the refrigerator for about 2 hours
• Spread this ointment over your affected skin area to not only disinfect but also prevent infection
• Repeat this treatment 2-3 times daily to get a satisfactory result.

IV – How To Prevent Yellow Jacket Stings

You are vulnerable to yellow jacket stings in the summer and spring. Yellow jackets are attracted to flowers as they need the nutrients of these plants.

As soon as the flowers die, yellow jackets become more aggressive because they have to find more sources of sugar to consume.

Taking preventive steps is important if you want to avoid yellow jacket stings.

• If a yellow jacket lands on your skin, you should not move suddenly. It is recommended waiting until the yellow jacket goes away on its own or removing it with an object.
• If you see the number of yellow jackets on your hiking route, you should change your route. This is because a nest of yellow jackets is nearby.
• Do not make yellow jackets more aggressive by swatting them.
• Always cover the trash can after you use.

V – Diet For Yellow Jacket Stings

It is said that people with zinc deficiency may be vulnerable to yellow jacket stings. Therefore, apart from using natural home remedies for yellow jacket stings and taking preventive steps, you should have a healthy and balanced diet that contains a lot of zinc-rich foods.

Diet for yellow jacket stings should include foods such as shellfish, oysters, wheat bran, wheat germ, pumpkin seeds, brewers yeast, pecan nuts, peanuts, almonds, pine nuts, brazil nuts, walnuts, avocado, etc.  They are great sources of zinc ^[5] and loaded with essential nutrients that can boost the immune system and fasten the healing process. Furthermore, it is important for you to add a variety of vegetables and fruits to your diet for the fastest healing process.

Those are the best home remedies for yellow jacket stings I would like to introduce to you in this article. If you have any questions, you can leave it below. I will answer as soon as possible.