The bite of the wasp

The bite of a wasp is borne by a man much harder than a bee sting. First, unlike a bee that stings, dies, wasps can sting repeatedly. Secondly, if bees rarely attack first, they are more likely to defend themselves, then the wasps are tremendously bothersome and able to climb into the most unexpected places - bags, under clothes, often fly into the transport.

The sting of a wasp is in principle intended for the laying of eggs, but at the slightest danger, the wasp releases from it a toxin that is dangerous to the environment. By the way, the sting is found only in females, and they are the most aggressive insects of their kind. At the beginning of warm periods, wasps are kind of nurses, since they feed on small insects, including garden and vegetable pests and even large flies. But this is the end of their positive activities. With the onset of heat, the aspen swarm rushes for food to the far territories, destroying not only purely human food products, but whole families of bees on its way. The most "favorable" in the figurative sense for the bites of wasps is the summer season, when everything around is fragrant with aromas, dazzling with bright colors, lots of sweet fruits and open food. The wasps are particularly aggressive in the hot July and August months. Statistics say that 1.7-2% of the world's population are so sensitive to the bites of wasps and bees that they may die from anaphylactic shock.

Does the wasp die after a bite?

Unlike the bee, which in the struggle for its existence dies, stinging a person, a wasp can bite and sting a person many times. It is not uncommon for a wasp to repeatedly damage the skin of the jaws, eventually leaving a sting in the wound when it was tried to disarm it. Independently part with the sting, the wasp is not capable, it is fastened sufficiently to its abdomen. So, when asked whether the wasp dies after the bite, it is necessary to respond with regret - no, it continues to live and it is possible to sting other people. It will be fair to note that even after the first bite, you can avoid repetition if you simply leave the place where a wasp buzzes or try to carefully escort it with help of improvised means - newspapers, towels. And you can get a sting in your body only by killing a wasp directly on yourself. Therefore, repeated bites of wasps are rather an aggression or unreasonable behavior of a person, rather than an insect.

Allergy to bite wasp

Wasps are extremely aggressive and can bite a person repeatedly, since their sting is devoid of notches characteristic of the sting of a bee. The most dangerous are the bites of hornets, their poison contains a large concentration of acetylcholine and bradykinin. Allergy to a wasp sting as a true allergic reaction is rare, most often the wasp attack provokes a so-called false allergy. The wasp's toxicity in composition is not much different from apitoxin - bee venom, the main danger is the repeated introduction of active biological components. The liquid secreted by the exception of histamine, serotonin, peptides, amino acids, contains a strong neurotoxin (presynaptic orient-toxin), which rapidly penetrates into the bloodstream and acts on the hepatocytes, red blood cells. Especially a lot of neurotoxin in the horn's poison. The bite of the wasp is felt much more painful than the bee and because there are more histamine and acetylcholine in the aspen poison, which explains the pain at the bite site.

[1], [2]

Causes of allergy to bites

Indeed, the allergic reaction to the wasp attack does not appear to all people, some are simply bravely experiencing temporary discomfort and a day or two forget about the incident. What are the causes of allergy to wasp stings?

1. The first and fundamental factor is genetic, that is heredity. If one or both parents are allergic to insect bites, then most likely their offspring will also be at risk of developing an allergic reaction.
2. Sensitization or primary "acquaintance" with the allergen is one of many components of aspen poison. This is a typical case of a so-called false allergy or an aggressive response of the immune system to similar antigens. Thus, in the composition of the wasp venom, there may not be a true provoker, but one of the substances resembles the structure of the antigen already found in the immunity. The system instantly, without understanding, begins to attack it with the development of antibodies.

[3], [4]

Symptoms of Bee Wash Allergy

The clinical picture of a wasp attack depends on the place of injury, on the general allergic predisposition of a person, on the amount of poison and the actual number of bites. When the poison enters the zone where many blood vessels are located, the allergy is manifested by itching, hives, and in severe cases with Quincke's swelling. The reaction develops very quickly - within half an hour. A more serious degree of intoxication of the body looks like a classic picture of developing anaphylaxis. The general symptomatology of an allergy to a wasp sting is this:

• Itching and redness (erythema) at the bite site.
• Strong pain.
• Local swelling or developing swelling (from the point of bite up or down depending on the area of damage and the system of blood flow). Cases of giant edema are not uncommon.
• Edema of the Quincke.
• Headache, dizziness.
• Temperature increase.
• Difficulty breathing, dry mouth.
• Cardiopalmus.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Anaphylactic shock.

Separately, it is necessary to identify the signs of anaphylactic shock, which can provoke an allergy to a wasp sting:

Stage of development of symptoms	Symptoms
First step	Itching, not only in the place of bite, but also in the palms, feet, on the scalp. Dysphonia also develops, the voice becomes hoarse, a lump is felt in the throat.
The final stage	Arterial pressure drops rapidly, acute vascular insufficiency (collapse) develops, indomitable vomiting is possible. The face and neck are swelling, breathing is difficult, asphyxia develops.

Allergy to a wasp sting is most dangerous for people who have a history of bronchial asthma, cardiac diseases, diabetes. In clinical practice, cases of diabetic coma have been noted after the attack of hornets, since in the composition of their poison there is a component that increases the level of sugar in the blood. Also a bite is dangerous for young children, pregnant women and the elderly. In addition, anaphylaxis can develop rapidly, if the bite of a wasp has fallen to the area of the lymph nodes (neck).

A child's wasp bite

Children are most often attacked by wasps, or because of their natural curiosity, when they are trying to study the hornets' nests, or because the kids are very fond of sweets, which also attracts insects. In addition, children are extremely sensitive to insect bites in principle, so so often they are diagnosed with an allergic reaction.

Actions of parents that will help to neutralize the bite of a wasp in a child: 

• If the wasp only bit, but did not sting, you need to treat the wound with an antiseptic and apply cold (ice, cold compress).
• It is advisable to give the child an antihistamine syrup, even if no primary symptoms of allergy are observed. Effective are syrups of Erius, Claritin, Kestin, Eden. 
• If the wasp was killed in the place of "crime", then most likely in the wound remains sting. It must be removed using tweezers. 
• Remove the swelling and somewhat reduce the pain will help with lotion with a soda solution - a glass of clean water - 1 teaspoon baking soda. 
• Well helps lubricating the damaged area with anti-allergic ointments - Fenistil, Ketopin. 
• If the house has Panthenol, you can apply it to the bite site. 
• Effective will be lubrication of the bite site with usual baby cream.

When there are menacing symptoms - shortness of breath, swelling of the neck and face, extensive urticaria, pallor of the skin, you should immediately call an ambulance.

[5], [6], [7]

What is dangerous is the bite of a wasp?

The danger that the bite of a wasp carries in it lies in the possible repeated introduction of poison, and the wasp has plenty of it. Unlike bees, wasps, especially hornets, can inflict more than one bite, each time while injecting toxin into the human body.

What is dangerous is the bite of a wasp? An unusually high concentration of biologically active components in the poison with a single administration, as a rule, does not have a toxic effect. However, re-entry into the bloodstream can trigger a severe allergic reaction, the consequence of which at best will be Quincke's edema, at worst anaphylaxis and death.

In addition, wasps are considered predatory insects, they are not engaged in productive activities, like bees. On the contrary, wasps willingly not only attack live fellow - flies, spiders, other insects, they also gladly eat carrion on various garbage cans and in other unattractive places. Attacking a man, a wasp with an acute sting injures the skin, a small, but still a wound, is formed. It can get to various bacteria, which most likely covered by the wasp tool. This is how the inflammation develops in the place of the bite, which often develops into a purulent infectious process.

Also, the allergic reaction to bite, which in clinical practice is diagnosed as a reaction of the third degree of severity, is menacing. Vascular collapse, myocardial ischemia, bronchospasm, hemiparesis (partial paralysis), central nervous system damage, systemic necrotizing angiitis (vascular pathology), Shenlaine-Henoch syndrome (hemorrhagic vasculitis) - this is far from an incomplete list of answers to the question - what is dangerous is the bite of a wasp. In order to avoid these threats, one should be careful and try to minimize the possibility of attracting wasps. It's pretty simple - cover the food, do not use insect-provoking scents and close the windows with a net, at least for the summer.

Consequences after a bite of a wasp

The bite of a wasp itself, especially if it is single, of course, causes pain and discomfort, but in healthy people it disappears without a trace after two or three days.

The consequences after a bite of wasps for young children, allergic people, those who suffer from diabetes, asthma, for pregnant women and the elderly are much more dangerous. Especially in this sense, the bites of hornets are dangerous. First, they are larger than simple wasps, so there is more poison. Secondly, their poison contains neurotoxins and substances that can quickly cause suffocation. Anaphylactic shock, hypoglycemia or diabetic coma, a purulent inflammatory process in an infected wound, a general intoxication of the body with multiple bites - that's far from a complete list of consequences after the bite of wasps. They can be avoided if you try not to attract the wasps with open food, sweets, daisy perfumes, smelling deodorants.

[8], [9], [10]

Wasp bite treatment

How to treat a wasp sting? The basic rules differ little from the actions of the bee stings. Treatment of a wasp sting is in the following activities: 

• It is necessary to make sure that the wasp has not left its sting in the wound. It is clearly visible and it is not difficult to find the wasp weapon.
• If the stinger remains in the wound, it should be carefully removed with tweezers. To extrude or to act in another way (to cut, scratch) is by no means impossible, since this promotes the spread of toxin into the subcutaneous tissue, and, moreover, infection of the wound is possible. 
• The site of damage must be treated with any available antiseptic - alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, tincture. 
• The wound should be covered with a gauze pad after treatment, and cold (ice, compress) should be applied from above. Cold lotions need to be changed within 2 hours, until the puffiness subsides.
• The victim of a bite of a wasp needs to drink a lot to quickly remove toxic substances from the body with urine. Mineral water, a weak tea with sugar, a solution of Regidron, just purified water - this is what the body needs. You can not drink alcohol, milk, other dubious in the sense of therapeutic effects when bitten, liquid.
• If the injured person is prone to allergies or signs of an allergic reaction have begun to manifest, you need to take an antihistamine as soon as possible.
• In place of the bite, you can apply an antihistamine in the form of an ointment, a gel, as well as a corticosteroid ointment - hydrocortisone, fluorocort, diprosalic.

Treatment of a wasp sting can require both medical care and more decisive action, right up to resuscitation. To prevent this, you need to take all measures to reduce the risk of bites, this applies to both bee stings and attacks of wasps.

Means against a bite of a wasp

Everyone who is prone to allergic reactions should carry an emergency aid kit. The remedy for a bite of a wasp, as well as preparations from the bites of any other insects, is an effective antihistamine. In addition, in the arsenal must be present disposable syringes, preferably a special autoinjector with a ready-made effective solution. As an ambulance, adrenaline or preparations containing it are usually used, corticosteroids in an injectable form. People with a history of at least one case of Quincke's edema should have a plan of action in case of an insect bite. You should not wait for the development of the reaction, you must immediately inject subcutaneously, directly into the place of the bite, 3 milligram of adrenaline or prednisolone. Slightly slower acting sublingual (under the tongue) reception of isoprenaline.

Those who suffer from asthma should have an inhaler to stop the asthma attack in time. At the cores - preparations of first aid for stimulation of cardiac activity.

In all other cases, the means from a bite of a wasp is an ordinary antiseptic preparation (alcohol-containing tinctures, hydrogen peroxide), it is also good, if there is a tourniquet, syringes, analgesic tablets, aspirin and validol in the medicine cabinet.

Assistance with a bite of a wasp

What can I do if I'm bitten by a wasp? Of course, immediate action.

The algorithm is simple and should be remembered, as the hot summer season is approaching, when the wasps begin to activate and the risk of being bitten increases many times.

1. If the bite has already occurred, the first thing to do is to immediately leave the place where the wasps are circling. With a sting, the wasp emits specific substances that seem to call for other insects. In addition, the same wasp can sting a person repeatedly, the insect is better to be cleaned off neatly, but in no case do not put pressure on yourself, which happens quite often. 
2. The wound must be disinfected. Better, if it's pharmacy drugs, in their absence, simple water and soap will do. 
3. On the wound you need to put a piece of sterile bandage, gauze, and from above put any cold object. If there is not one nearby, then a jet of cold water or just a wet compress will do. 
4. If the limb is injured - hand, leg, a tight bandage should be applied from the top of the bite. So the toxin is localized and can not spread through the body. 
5. You can remove swelling and swelling with a soda or saline solution (200 ml of water - 1 teaspoon of table salt or baking soda). 

Assistance with a wasp sting is a careful observation of the symptoms. At the first disturbing signs - a headache, bad state of health it is necessary to address immediately to the doctor.

In what cases do you need medical help: 

• If a person was bitten by wasps, and not one wasp.
• If there are more than five bites (for a child and two bites already considered a threat).
• If the bite fell on the neck, the face, throat, eyes are bitten.
• If a person is allergic.
• If any signs of allergy occur.
• If the wound has begun inflammatory process.

What should I do if I bite a wasp?

First of all, you should know what can not be done in any case, because unreasonable actions can not only harm, but also provoke new bites of wasps. 

If you or one of your loved ones was bitten by a wasp, do not take revenge on her and try to kill her at the place of "crime." Firstly, the stinger remains in the wound along with its toxic contents. Secondly, when a wasp dies, it releases a specific odor that attracts its relatives. Mass attack of wasps and poison in the wound - this is the result of the war with an aggressive person. 

You can not comb or rub the place of damage. First, it will promote the spread of toxin in the subcutaneous tissue. Secondly, infection of the wound itself is possible. 

Do not try to squeeze out the remaining sting. This contributes to the penetration of the poison not only into nearby tissues, but also into the bloodstream.

A bite of a wasp - what can you do and need: 

Immediately treat the wound. If there is an antiseptic on hand, apply it. If the conditions do not allow you to use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, then the leaf of plantain, calendula, and parsley can become an improver remedy. Plants need to be thoroughly rinsed, wiped, wrinkled at the hands of the leaves and attached to the wound. Withering leaves need to be changed to more fresh for 3-4 hours. 

The wasp not only stings, it bites, and its sting is often inseminated with bacteria, so after using improvised agents (plants), it is advisable to find a way to get a real effective antiseptic and well disinfect the wound. 

As a local detoxic agent, a tablet of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is suitable. The tablet should be well ground and slightly moistened with water. This gruel is applied to the injury site, previously covering the wound with a piece of bandage. Note that aspirin itself can be the culprit of an allergic reaction with sensitivity to salicylates. 

The place of the bite should be cooled. This will help relieve pain and reduce the spread of swelling.

With the appearance of severe itching, rash, hives, you can take an antihistamine drug, but it is much safer if the victim is provided with professional medical care. Anaphylaxis develops at times within a few minutes, so if you understand that there was a bite of a wasp, consult a doctor - do not risk your health.

[11], [12]