A hornet stinger is a barbed, venom-filled shaft left embedded in skin after a sting. To remove it, scrape the area with a credit card or firm object to avoid squeezing venom into the wound.
Hornets, unlike bees, can sting repeatedly. Their stingers don't detach, but they inject venom during removal. Leaving it embedded prolongs venom exposure, increasing pain and swelling. The CDC reports hornet stings send over 500,000 Americans to emergency rooms annually.
Use a flat, firm object like a credit card, knife blade, or fingernail. Scraping removes the stinger without pressing the venom sac. Tweezers risk squeezing more venom into the wound. Wash hands before and after to prevent infection.
Many people pinch stingers with tweezers, which worsens venom injection. Others ignore embedded stingers, mistaking them for skin debris. Both approaches increase pain and swelling. The American Academy of Dermatology warns against using alcohol or ammonia, which irritate the wound.
Wash the area with soap and water. Apply ice to reduce swelling. Monitor for allergic reactions like difficulty breathing or hives. If symptoms persist beyond 24 hours, see a doctor. For severe reactions, seek emergency care immediately.