Close-up of a red, circular reaction on the neck resulting from a yellow jacket sting. Introduction Earlier this week, one of our family members (a father) was stung by a yellow jacket in the backyard while spraying the nest with a water hose. Initially, he felt a brief stinging sensation behind his neck but did not immediately realize he had been stung. A relative later noticed a bright red area at the site of the sting, and although there was no pain, the spot began to itch