First aid for wasp stings

When an insect bites or stings, it is not only unpleasant, but also painful and sometimes even dangerous. Probably, every person has experienced it more than once in his life. On the territory of our country, the leader in bites after the mosquito is considered a wasp. It differs from the bee by the presence of a thinning waist, as well as by the typical stripes in the lower segment of the body. What threatens the attack of the insect, and how is the correct first aid for a wasp sting?

What should I do when stung by a wasp?

If the wasp did attack and sting, it is better to immediately lubricate the affected area with any of such external preparations as Voltaren, Ketorol gel, Nimid gel, Dolobene, Dolgit, Menovazin, Ketonal, etc., if the product was applied immediately after the sting. Even the well-known Vietnamese balm "Zvezdochka", which relieves pain and prevents swelling - provided that the product was applied to the skin immediately after the wasp sting.

Just in case, when going to the countryside or outdoors, it is advisable to take with you a first aid kit with emergency medications. If you do not have such a first aid kit on hand, and the wasp has already stung you, you can use folk recipes, which often have no less effect than pharmacy remedies.

Immediately after a wasp sting, the injured area should be carefully examined. Not always, but in some cases, the insect leaves its own stinger in the skin at the time of the sting: if it is not removed, complications may develop. You should try and remove the thin stinger from the wound, and then treat the skin with an antiseptic (alcohol solution, hydrogen peroxide, furacilin or manganese solution). If there is no antiseptic at hand, vodka, cologne, soap or soda solution will do. As a last resort, a plantain or celandine leaf washed in water can be applied.

Ice cubes, as well as tincture of calendula or propolis are excellent for pain and swelling. Tincture wet the wound at first every hour, then - 2-3 times a day, until a steady improvement in the condition.

Accelerates the healing of bitten by wasp places crushed bay leaf, compresses from the juice and leaves of yarrow, as well as essential oils (a little eucalyptus, rosemary, cloves).

If you are prone to allergies after a wasp sting, you should immediately take any anti-allergic drug (Suprastin, Loratadine, Fenistil, Zyrtec, Telfast, etc.), and during the day drink plenty of fluids - for example, water, tea, compote, which will contribute to the rapid removal of toxic substances from the body. [1]

First aid for a wasp sting in the eye

A wasp sting always happens unexpectedly, and it is impossible to prepare for the problem. And it is especially unpleasant when the insect stings in the eye, which begins to hurt unbearably, swelling, and the victim is growing panic: what to do?

Try not to panic after all, but clearly follow this kind of instruction:

• Do not get into the affected eye with your fingers, rubbing and scratching it, as this promotes infection and accelerates the spread of poison into the blood;
• If you are prone to allergies, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible or take any anti-allergy medication as soon as possible;
• repeat the anti-allergic drug every 4 hours;
• If the swelling of the eye increases, it is better to apply an ice bag to it;
• If possible, after a wasp sting, the eye should be disinfected (any anti-inflammatory eye drops, or a weak solution of furacilin or potassium permanganate).

Excellent cope with the problem eye drops Polinadim, the composition of which is represented by diphenhydramine and naphazoline. Drops can be used from 2 years of age, but not more than five days in a row, and only on the doctor's recommendation.

What to do when stung by a wasp in the arm, leg?

The moment of a wasp sting cannot be missed, so first aid should be administered immediately after an insect attack. Important: if you are attacked by one or two or three wasps, you can deal with the problem yourself. In case of multiple stings, it is advisable to seek qualified medical assistance - for example, in a hospital or trauma center.

Take a good look at the damaged area: sometimes a stinger can be found, but it may not be there. Wasps, unlike bees, can use the stinger repeatedly.

If the stinging element does remain in your body, you will need:

• tweezers;
• any antiseptic (vodka, cologne, furacilin solution);
• an anti-allergy drug.

The help and sequence of actions for a wasp sting is as follows:

• gently rinse the affected skin area to get rid of visible dirt;
• carefully remove the stinger with tweezers;
• apply antiseptic to the wound;
• apply an ice pack (if available);
• take any anti-allergy medication orally.

If you do everything right and drink enough fluids during the day, the swelling and discomfort from a wasp sting will go away within a few hours.

What to do in case of a wasp sting in the lip?

Medics assure: the most dangerous can be wasp stings in the face and oral cavity, and in particular, in the lip. The fact is that signs of an allergic reaction when the soft tissues of the lip are affected manifest themselves much faster than when stung on limbs or other parts of the body.

So what should you do if a wasp sting has injured your lip?

• First, you need to see if the wasp has left its stinger behind. If it has, you will need a small pair of tweezers to remove it.
• A cold compress or ice cube bag should be applied to the bitten area. This will slow the spread of the toxic substance and reduce swelling.
• To prevent inflammation, it is necessary to treat the wound with any antiseptic liquid, whether it is an alcohol solution, medicinal tincture or simply hydrogen peroxide.
• If you do not have any antiseptics at hand, you can simply anoint the wound with a mixture of water and baking soda. Sometimes salt is used instead of baking soda.
• If available, you should take any anti-allergy medication as soon as possible.
• During 1-2 days after the bite it is better to eat less, but drink more. Alkaline mineral water, green tea, fruit and berry compotes and morses are excellent.

In the case when the lip swells severely, it becomes difficult to breathe, the heart rhythm changes - it is urgent to seek medical help. Delay in such a situation can cost not only the health, but also the life of the victim.

What to do in case of a wasp sting on the tongue?

A tongue bite is always dangerous. The tissues of the tongue are sensitive and loose, so the sting penetrates deep, injecting the full possible dose of toxin. As a result - rapidly increasing severe swelling, burning pain, frequent allergic reactions. Many victims almost immediately begin to have pain in the head, dizziness. Unpleasant and external picture: a person's tongue is enlarged, speech is impaired, swallowing and chewing food is difficult. In severe cases, edema of the larynx develops, choking occurs. Of course, such problematic cases are few, but when stung by a wasp, you should be prepared for everything.

Ideally, if immediately after an insect attack, the victim goes to the nearest medical center, where he will receive all the necessary medical care. If this is not possible, the following sequential actions should be performed:

• calm down, don't panic;
• rinse the mouth with cold water, alcohol tincture (for disinfection);
• put a few ice cubes in your mouth, or hold ice water in your mouth;
• take an anti-allergy medication.

If everything is done correctly, the swelling will subside in about 2 days from the moment of the bite. However, at the first suspicion of an allergic reaction, it is important to visit a doctor as soon as possible.

First aid in case of wasp sting at home

What can be done if a wasp sting is far from the nearest medical center?

• quickly flush the wound with cold water, apply ice;
• smear the bite with parsley juice, or apply crushed leaves of the plant;
• moisten the affected skin with urine - fresh urine from a healthy person, or from a child;
• drop a few drops of lemon juice on the bite site;
• apply acid to the skin - juice of sour berries, table vinegar, etc.;
• smear the swelling with dandelion milk;
• put a slice of aloe leaf, onion, crumpled plantain leaf;
• smear it with calendula tincture.

If stung by a wasp, follow this sequential treatment regimen;

1. Wash the dirt off the skin, check for stinger absence.
2. Disinfect the affected area.
3. Apply cold.

It is excellent if it is possible to take any anti-allergy medication immediately. In any case, you will need to drink large amounts of fluids throughout the day to speed up the elimination of the poison.

First aid for a wasp sting on a child

As for wasp bites on children, it is definitely recommended to seek qualified medical assistance. The fact is that the child's body is much more sensitive to toxic effects than an adult's, the painful reaction develops faster, and its consequences are unpredictable.

The best solution is to call an ambulance or go to the nearest health center yourself. Before medical personnel arrive, you can try to wash the wound with a disinfectant solution and apply cold to block the spread of the toxic substance and relieve pain.

A salt lotion is considered a good blocker of toxin absorption:

• a cotton disk soaked in saline solution is applied to the wound;
• the solution is prepared by mixing 1 tsp. Salt and 200 ml. Water.

Such a lotion will draw out the poisonous substance and prevent the development of an inflammatory reaction.

If there are suspicions that the child has started an allergic process - for example, swelling, rash, blisters - you should immediately run to the doctor. At home, you should immediately give the baby any antihistamine drug in a dosage appropriate to the age. In addition, you can lubricate the bite area with any anti-allergic ointment - for example, Fenistil-gel.

A child with a tendency to develop diathesis, other allergic manifestations requires special supervision. Such a baby should be seen by a doctor without delay.

What to do in case of wasp sting in pregnancy?

For pregnant women, a wasp sting is no more dangerous than for any other person. A single insect sting can provoke swelling and very unpleasant sensations, but such damage does not pose any threat to the life and health of the future baby. The only serious risk is the development of an allergic reaction in a woman.

Any kind of allergy in pregnancy should be treated by a specialist, whether it is a simple redness and rash, or a serious reaction with the development of respiratory failure and pulmonary edema. Having determined the essence of the allergic process, the doctor must quickly orient and administer a certain dose of antihistamine medication to the victim.

Which anti-allergy medicine will the doctor prescribe? It depends on the gestational age and how dangerous the wasp sting was. In the first trimester, it is undesirable to take antihistamines in principle. An indication for their reception may be only a strong allergy with a high probability of anaphylactic shock. In this situation, make a decision and provide first aid should be made quickly, without delaying a second. The life of the pregnant woman is a priority.

In the second trimester, antihistamines are used only in extreme cases, giving preference to Suprastin, Zyrtec, Desloratadine, Levocetirizine.

In the third trimester, drugs are used only taking into account all possible risks to the future baby and benefits for the woman. In special cases, Zyrtec, Claritin, Desloratadine are prescribed.

If it is possible to refuse taking anti-allergic drugs during pregnancy, it is better to do so. In case of a small reaction, vitamin _B12 is administered, which has a natural antihistamine effect. Such safe means as nicotinic acid, fish oil, linoleic and oleic acids are also suitable. Self-treatment of wasp stings in pregnancy is not welcomed, especially if it concerns the internal administration of medications.

What to do in case of allergy when stung by a wasp?

If there are pronounced general and local allergic manifestations after a wasp sting, the victim should be placed on a horizontal surface so that the shoulder girdle and head are in an elevated position. Do not rub, scratch and in any way irritate the stung wound. If a limb is affected, a tourniquet should be applied about 20 cm above the painful area.

If swelling of the face or neck is rapidly increasing, the victim should not be given to drink or take pills, as this may lead to suffocation: here it is necessary to act quickly and give the person an antihistamine in the form of an injection. It is also important to give an immediate subcutaneous injection of adrenaline: the wound area is injected with 1 ml of 0.1% solution.

For common and non-critical allergic reactions, first-generation anti-allergic drugs, such as:

• Suprastin, Chloropyramine;
• Tavegil, Clemastine;
• Pipolfen, Dimedrol.

Second-generation drugs include:

• Astemizole, Loratadine, Claritin;
• Azelastine.

The dosage of drugs is determined individually. As a supplement, you can also use external anti-allergic ointments and gels - for example, Fenistil-gel.

What to do when stung by a black wasp, earth wasp?

The black earth wasp is a special type of insect that resembles a hornet. It is also particularly dangerous: the sting of the black wasp is painful and can cause unforeseen reactions, particularly in people prone to allergies. The black wasp has a large supply of poisonous substance and a significant sting. In addition, the insect is characterized by increased aggression, which makes it even more dangerous. Nevertheless, when attacked by a black wasp, no sting remains in the skin: after injecting the poisonous substance, the insect flies away.

The sting of the earth wasp is often compared to a red ant sting in terms of toxicity and severity of pain: the affected area begins to hurt, swelling, redness, and severe itching. There is a high probability of allergy development.

If, being in nature, at the dacha or in the vegetable garden, a person feels that he was attacked by an earth wasp, then it is necessary to take such actions:

• If a limb is affected, a tight bandage should be applied to the wound to prevent the poison from spreading with the bloodstream throughout the body;
• to relieve pain and itching, you can lubricate the wound with Elokom ointment, or Advantan or Sinaflan.

If there are signs of an allergic reaction, you should urgently consult a doctor. For example, the following symptoms should alert you:

• sudden weakness, lethargy, dizziness;
• skin rashes, swelling;
• elevated body temperature;
• nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate;
• sudden drop in blood pressure, severe headache.

Any of the above symptoms is considered quite dangerous, so the doctor should be contacted without delay. "Ambulance" should be called without fail if a person is attacked by a large swarm of wasps: even in the absence of an allergic reaction, the victim may be in danger. Earth wasps are not particularly picky about their food, so they can easily carry infection.

What to do in case of multiple wasp stings?

If the bites are numerous, you should not delay and expose yourself to unnecessary risk. Medics warn: when the number of wounds exceeds 3-4, a general intoxication of the body may develop. Especially dangerous if the wasp stung in the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, face or neck. The swelling reaction after the sting can spread to the respiratory tract, leading to complications in the form of breathing difficulties.

A visit to the nurse's station should not be delayed in such cases:

• when a wasp strikes the facial area;
• when a wasp stings the lip or penetrates the mouth;
• when the wasp attack was massive and there are more than three stings;
• when a person suffers from hypersensitivity and a tendency to manifest allergies.

When going to the countryside, dacha or vegetable garden, you should always take with you a first aid kit. It should contain several antiseptic solutions, an anti-allergic drug (you can have two - external and internal).

The main thing to remember is that first aid for a wasp sting should be immediate. The sooner and faster action is taken, the less painful the body's reaction will be.