What to do with a hornet bite: first aid, how to smear

A hornet bite is not uncommon in the summer. It not only causes discomfort to a person, but can also be extremely hazardous to health. It is especially dangerous for people prone to severe allergic reactions, for those who suffer from bronchial asthma, cardiac and vascular pathologies. Can lead to anaphylactic shock, which is often fatal. Therefore, it is important to know how dangerous  a hornet bite is , how to distinguish it from other bites, and what to do if you still could not protect yourself from a bite.

What to do with a hornet bite at home?

Each of us needs to know what to do when a hornet bites. Even at home, a person can be helped, which will significantly alleviate the condition, and prevent complications and serious consequences.

Basically, the therapy is symptomatic, aimed at relieving the main symptoms of pathology. Also, treatment should be aimed at preventing the main consequences of a bite (first of all, this concerns an allergic reaction, especially anaphylaxis), since the greatest danger lies precisely in the fact that anaphylactic shock can develop. Its consequences are extremely serious - a sharp attack, up to death, suffocation. [1]

In addition to stopping an allergic attack, reaction, further measures should be aimed at:

1. removal of pain syndrome (if available, give analgesics, pain relievers)
2. preventing the penetration of infection into the site of the bite and the development of an inflammatory and infectious process (correct local treatment of the bite).
3. removal of itching, swelling, redness, and other reactions, both local and systemic.

Cold is applied to the affected area. The victim is given a pill of an antiallergic drug, or it must be administered intramuscularly. The patient needs to provide abundant drink and rest. After that, the affected area must be treated with various ointments. (it is better to opt for anti-inflammatory or antiseptic ointments). Various alternative and homeopathic remedies can also be used.

The patient is advised to call an ambulance, or consult a doctor if he has a tendency to allergic reactions. [2]

Actions for a hornet bite

Algorithm of actions for a hornet bite:

1. Give the person an antihistamine or inject it (suprastin, diazolin, tavegil, loratodin, etc.)
2. If a person has a tendency to allergic reactions, especially of an immediate type, an ambulance should be called immediately. If the anti-allergic drug does not help within 10 minutes and the swelling increases, also do not wait - call an ambulance.
3. If there is pain, itching, burning, give an anesthetic, anti-inflammatory drug (no-shpa, analgin, aspirin, etc.).
4. The site of the bite should be treated with alcohol or peroxide, and then with anti-inflammatory ointment or antibiotic ointment.
5. Apply a dry bandage.
6. See a doctor.

First aid for a hornet bite

You need to clearly know the algorithm of actions for a hornet bite. First aid is to prevent the rapid development of an allergic reaction. To do this, give the victim antiallergic (antihistamines) drugs. Anything in the house will do: suprastin, diazolin, loran, loratadine, agistam, and other means. For such an unforeseen case, you should always keep antiallergic drugs in the first-aid kit, or take them with you on trips and hikes, especially in nature. A trip to the pharmacy in an emergency can cost a person his life.

Intramuscular or intravenous administration of drugs will be more effective. So they act much faster, penetrate the bloodstream, and immediately become active. In addition, they, unchanged, penetrate directly into the focus of inflammation; they do not need to be absorbed through the walls of the gastrointestinal tract. If the bite has occurred in the mouth, throat, lip, eyes, antiallergic drugs should be injected. Since the pills may be simply ineffective (they will not have time to "get" to the site of inflammation). Injected drugs act almost instantly.

If you have pain, burning sensation, you need to stop the pain. Pain requires the introduction of pain relievers and sometimes anti-inflammatory drugs into the body. It is recommended to apply an ointment to the bite site. Chloramphenicol ointment, or any other ointment with an antibiotic, antipruritic or anti-inflammatory effect, has proven itself well.

How to treat a hornet bite?

The hornet bite must be treated immediately. How to process? It is better to use wound healing, anti-inflammatory drugs. Firstly, you need to disinfect, and secondly, remove the swelling, inflammation. You can disinfect with ordinary alcohol, peroxide. Then ointment is applied. If there are no ointments at hand, and there is no pharmacy nearby, you can pluck a plant that has anti-inflammatory properties and treat the bite with it. For example, plantain, mint, coltsfoot, celandine, and other herbs are suitable.

If it is possible to brew herbs, it is better to prepare a medicinal decoction from them. The most effective treatment is lotions, applications and compresses on the bite site. The duration of the lotions is no more than 15 minutes. It is not recommended to wipe the skin after removing the compress. Let it dry in the fresh air, or you can blot it a little with a dry cloth. Medicinal baths also help well.

You can also use pharmacy ointments with anti-inflammatory, antipruritic effect. Antibiotic ointments work well.

Treatment

The first thing to do is to provide emergency assistance to a person, to prevent an allergic reaction. With a delayed-type reaction, a predominantly local reaction develops, in the form of edema, redness. In this case, you need to take an antihistamine (suprastin, diazolin, loratodine, loran, etc.). But sometimes that's not enough. For example, in case of an immediate reaction, emergency care is required: with anaphylactic shock, intravenous infusions of calcium chloride (10 ml of a 10% solution) are made, and 2 ml of a 0.5% solution of novocaine and 0.1% adrenaline solution are injected into the site of the bite.

In the future, treatment is mainly etiological, local (aimed at relieving edema, redness, inflammation). If necessary, pain relievers are prescribed, for example, paracetamol, analgin, spazmolgon. The bite is treated topically.

How to numb a hornet bite?

If the hornet bite hurts a lot, and you do not know how to relieve pain, it is better not to self-medicate, but to see a doctor. Perhaps the reason is complications, for example, an inflammatory or infectious process develops. Then special treatment is required. However, before consulting your doctor, you can always take a pain reliever to help relieve the condition. [3]

• Analgin

Dosage: one tablet 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment is 7-10 days, depending on the severity of the pain.

Precautions: not to be taken by persons with a tendency to bleeding, with hemophilia, in the postoperative period, or during preparation for a planned operation, with bleeding gums, during menstruation.

Side effects: reduces blood clotting.

• Spazmalgon

Dosage: 1 tablet 1-2 times a day, on average 10 days.

Precautions: it is not recommended to take for more than 10 days, as there is addiction, overdose.

Side effects: headache, nausea, vomiting.

• Ketolorak

Dosage: no more than 1-2 tablets per day.

Precautions: a heavy narcotic drug, sold in many pharmacies only with a doctor's prescription. Take only as directed by a doctor, as a last resort, with unbearable pain and ineffectiveness of other means.

Side effects: nausea, vomiting, headache, kidney and liver disorders, gastritis, ulcer, arrhythmia, hypertension, decreased vision, hearing, hallucinations, intoxication.

The antidote for a hornet bite

There is no specific antidote for a hornet bite. Nevertheless, atropine is considered as a nonspecific antidote, which is administered in severe condition, with the development of anaphylactic shock - 1 ml intramuscularly, every hour. If ineffective, add 1-2 ml. 0.1% adrenaline solution at the site of the bite. [4]

Hornet bite remedies

Antiallergic drugs.

• Loratadin

Dosage: 1 tablet per day. The duration of its action and persistence in the blood is 24 hours.

Mechanism of action: relieves swelling, itching, irritation, prevents an allergic reaction, reduces the level of histamine in the blood.

Precautions: take immediately after the bite, do not wait for the condition to worsen.

Side effects - drowsiness, decreased concentration, rarely nausea.

• Diphenhydramine

Dosage: in the form of injections (1-2 ml of the drug is injected intramuscularly).

Mechanism of action: relieves allergies, prevents the development of suffocation and anaphylactic shock.

Precautions: do not combine with alcohol.

Side effects: Possibly increased heart rate.

• Tavegil

Dosage: appoint a tablet 1-2 times a day.

Mechanism of action: eliminates inflammation and allergies, has the ability to relax the muscles of the bronchi, smooth muscles, respectively, eliminates spasm.

Precautions: possible individual intolerance.

Side effects: increased drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, headaches. Sometimes skin rashes and swelling appear.

• Euphyllin

Dosage: recommended by a tablet per day, or by injection (1-3 ml, depending on body weight intramuscularly).

Side effects - abdominal pain, diarrhea, palpitations, chills, heart rhythm disturbances.

Precautions - take with caution in people with diseases of the cardiovascular system.

How to smear a hornet bite?

Basically, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used: ibuprofen gel, diclofenac, voltaren, ortofen, nurofen, brufen, indomethacin, metindol and others. They are applied in a thin layer directly to the site of the bite, rubbed thoroughly into the skin.  [5]

Alternative treatment

Alternative treatment can be used to relieve inflammation, itching, swelling, and eliminate the effects of a hornet bite. Especially effective are oils that can be applied directly to the bite site, or used for compress, applications. Can be added to water for therapeutic baths. Many oils can be purchased ready-made at the pharmacy. Or you can cook it yourself. Frankincense, cleansing, toning and soothing oil is ideal.

Frankincense oil is prepared on the basis of frankincense, eleutherococcus extract, motherwort, chandra and oregano. Relieves itching, has a calming, anti-inflammatory effect. It has a positive effect on the body as a whole, stimulating the immune system, and normalizing hormonal levels.

The cleansing oil is based on extracts of pine, wild rosemary, thyme and sage. They relieve inflammation, itching, swelling, restore the skin, rejuvenate, and promote the resorption of seals.

The tonic oil is prepared from juniper, eleutherococcus golden root, wild rosemary, pine and other components. It is aimed at speedy recovery, relieving inflammation and allergies, and preventing the development of infection.

Soothing oil eliminates burning itching, irritation, redness. Consists of motherwort, mint, oregano, chandra, thyme, valerian, and other components. Affects the body as a whole - normalizes body temperature, eliminates symptoms of intoxication, relaxes muscles.

Herbal treatment

Herbs work well as decoctions, infusions, it is recommended to take inside. Herbal treatment perfectly complements local therapy, relieving inflammation, allergies, eliminating edema, and increasing immunity. Against the background of taking herbs, recovery always comes much faster.

Chamomile is recommended for relieving inflammation and preventing infection. Make a decoction at the rate of about 2 tablespoons of chamomile flowers per glass of boiling water. Drink during the day.

Linden is also used as a decoction. It can be drunk in unlimited quantities, like tea. You can add honey, sugar to taste. Applied with fever, fever, chills, and symptoms of intoxication.

Rose has a calming, anti-allergic effect. Recommended in the form of an aqueous infusion - pour about 2-3 tablespoons of petals with warm water (not boiling water!). Insist 30-40 minutes, drink a third of a glass three times a day with itching, burning in the area of the bite. With swelling and redness.