How to remove a stinger
It is important to remove the stinger as quickly as possible after a sting. Even a delay of a second or two in removing the stinger is likely to increase the amount of venom you receive. In less than 20 seconds after a sting, 90% of the venom is injected into your body.
To quickly remove the stinger:
- Flick the stinger out with your finger.
- Scrape it out with something that is a immediately available, like a stiff piece of paper, butter knife, or credit card. Don't waste time trying to find something special.
- Pinch it out with your fingers. Venom cannot be "squeezed" out of the stinger.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: February 1, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Sean P. Bush, MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine and Envenomation Specialist | |
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