My son stepped on something in the yard and his foot is swelling up so fast. He is crying in pain and I don’t know if I should extract the stinger myself or rush to urgent care. What is this?

Identifying the type of insect that caused the sting can help you decide on the best course of action. Bees typically leave their stinger behind, which can continue to release venom into the skin. If you notice a small black dot or stinger embedded in the skin, it was likely a bee sting.

Wasps, on the other hand, do not leave their stinger behind and can sting multiple times. If your child is stung multiple times in the same area or you don’t see a stinger, it might be a wasp or hornet. Other insects, like ants or spiders, can also cause painful bites, so it’s important to consider the environment and potential culprits.