What To Do If You've Been Stung By A Wasp

The first thing to do is to remove the stinger from your skin if you have been stung by wasps. Most people immediately think of using tweezers; but do not use them, doing so can squeeze more venom into your skin.

Instead, any flat object, like a credit card, will do to scrape the stinger out.

You do need to carefully press the card against your skin at a shallow angle and scrape it across to pull the stinger out. This action tends to reduce the amount of venom that enters your body and decreases the chance of infection.

After removing the stinger, it is time to heal your wound. If you are thinking about how to heal the wasp sting then first of all clean your sting area. Wash with mild soap and lukewarm water, and coat a lather of mild soap over the entire sting area, as it shall remove filth, residual venom, and bacteria causing an infection.

When you’re done washing the sting area, you may proceed with the treatment of the wasp sting by using something cold on it. After being stung by a wasp, the venom is injected into the area and this causes redness which will in the long run cause swelling. 

Ice packs will constrict the blood vessels, this will help to reduce the spread of the venom and prevent the body from overreacting. In performing this step, ensure you use a cloth with ice or cold pack and gently tap on the stung area for 10-15 minutes.

Elevating the body part that has been stung by a wasp also reduces the swelling thus reducing pain. When you elevate the limb, the blood flow increases helping to reduce congestion of blood as well as fluids around the sting.

Improved blood flow will reduce the risk of experiencing adverse effects such as tissue damage. For example, if the sting is on your hand, keep it above the height of the heart.

Wasps sting can be very itchy, but there are some creams for soothing the discomfort. Commonly available is calamine lotion, which is an over-the-counter treatment for relieving burning sensation.

It works upon application by producing a cooling effect to soothe the burning and itching. It further protects the skin from irritation and aids in the healing process. The astringent quality in calamine lotion reduces minor swellings and dries out any fluid at the sting site.

You have to cover the affected place with a mixture of baking soda to reduce pain and puffiness. To be more specific, it is not that baking soda that neutralizes wasp venom but it can make you prevent severe stinging pain.

You can make this life-saver paste in a bowl putting baking soda and adding drops of water in it until it becomes very thick. You have to apply baking soda to the sting area and then let it dry for 10-15 minutes. It can help lessen some of the venom so that you get some form of relief.

You probably didn't know that a wasp's venom is in an alkaline state, whereas you can apply something acidic to balance out the pH level, like vinegar or lemon juice.

So, neutralizing the venom with acid can help reduce the symptoms. To try this, soak a cotton ball or cloth in vinegar or lemon juice and gently press it against the sting, be sure not to push harder. This simple method can provide relief from the sting.

You may have seen documentaries where natives use honey for various illnesses. As one of the uses is to treat a wasp sting which can help soothe the swollen area.

Its anti-inflammatory properties can ease the pain caused by the sting working similarly to anti-biotics. Said so, honey is also antibacterial in nature and prevents further infection.

When using it, apply a little honey directly on the sting with the help of a bandage in order to hold it in place. You can leave it on anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour before washing off with warm water for relief.

Aloe vera has soothing effects because of its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that exist naturally. Application on a wasp sting will give soothing relief and promote instant healing.

To apply, snap off a fresh aloe vera leaf and massage the gel onto the area, or use commercial aloe vera available from any store. Gently rub a small amount of gel directly onto the sting.

Apply lavender oil to wasp stings by diluting essential oils: you simply need to add a few drops of the oil in a carrier oil of your choice. Dip cotton balls directly into the diluted oil and then be apply gently to the sting area. It is recommended that this oil is massaged onto the skin every few hours if there is a need to.

Witch hazel helps in reducing inflammation and redness that occurs around the area affected by the sting. Witch hazel is antiseptic in nature and finds much utility when applied to forestall certain infections from taking hold of the body.

The most basic way of administering witch hazel is by applying a cotton pad saturated with antiseptic liquid on the affected area. Repeat as necessary for relief.

Plantain is equally as useful in the treatment of wasp stings. This common weed has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help to reduce or get rid of pain, inflammation, and itching and may even help speed the venom out of the system as well.

As for plantain, start by picking fresh leaves with no dirt or any other substance on them. Then, rub the leaves to extract the juices out of the plant.

Spread the crushed pulpy mass on the part of the body that is affected and fix it using a cloth bandage. Despite this, plantain is safe for consumption, although people might develop an allergic reaction to it, so first, perform a skin test.

For any sting, discomfort, and swelling, it is recommended to take a warm bath using Epsom salts. Epsom salt is easily soluble in warm water and has the properties of easing muscle contraction, reducing inflammation, and pulling out edema that might be causing swelling.

It also assists in the flow of blood, thus expanding the rate in which the body heals itself as well. To apply this method, one can use Epsom salts by incorporating 1 to 2 glasses of the salts in warm water to be taken in a warm bath for 15 to 20 minutes.

This quite effective solution can soothe the area and help to relieve pain and inflammation which is sometimes intense.

Wasp stings always require monitoring for signs of an allergic reaction, as a few individuals could have severe reactions. Symptoms of allergic reactions include:

• Shortness of breath,
• Face swelling,
• Swelling of the throat or tongue,
• An increased rate of breathing,
• Dizziness,
• Low blood pressure.

Such signs point towards a severe form of an allergic reaction which may be fatal at times, anaphylaxis. In case of these symptoms, one should go to the hospital, or call the ambulance. Do not delay seeking treatment even if symptoms decrease.

Do not scratch the area where you got stung as it may result to more swelling and even infection. It makes the skin to be exposed when you scratch therefore enhancing the growth of bacteria that cause the infection.

This may also aggravate the swelling through itching and thus lead to poor drainage which is a sensitive cycle. Also, if the skin lesion is scratched, venom may be spread deeper into tissues or in other body areas with skin lesions.

To treat the itch, it is advised to use some lotions and creams capable of relieving itching, and cold compresses. Also, do not let dogs or children in the area, maintain cleanliness and refrain from scratching the area.

Identifying a wasp sting is not very complicated. You will experience some distinctive symptoms and reactions after the sting. However, if the allergic victim is stung multiple times, one might experience some harsh reactions resulting from the insect's venom.

The identification procedure is explained below in a more detailed structure:

Instant Reactions

The instant localized reaction is the most common type of reaction an individual might experience. The victims are likely to possess the symptoms of pain, swelling, warmth, redness at the site of the sting, and itching right away after the incident.

This reaction might last for some hours until it starts to subsidies. In some cases, the victim may be subjected to large localized reactions of conspicuous swelling followed by fatigue and nausea.

These reactions might take a week to lower. The localized reactions usually do not seek any major medications and are often limited to a small area of the sting.

Bacterial Infections

The infection is more likely to develop on your infected skin if you fail to adapt and maintain consistent hygiene on the affected site. The major lookout includes proper cleaning and disinfecting of the wound developed by the wasp sting.

If you neglect the habit of hygiene around the site area by scratching the wound for itchiness, you might invite the bacteria into your wound. This can turn into infections turning a minor case into a more severe one.

Wasps can sting you multiple times even though you are careful, so if you see them, you should remove the wasp nest by calling help for professionals.

While these natural home remedies may be effective, you might need to seek medical attention for a wasp sting in the following situations:

Severe Allergic Reactions

Reaction to wasp sting may include signs such as; trouble breathing, swollen face, throat or tongue, feeble or irregular pulse, low blood pressure, and skin rashes or hives.

Widespread Swelling

If there is a formation of swollen tissues beyond the sting area or the growth of swelling from the sting, it may be more dangerous. Normally, there should be swelling around the area of the sting, and if the swelling spreads to your arm or leg hugely or the swelling is big this might be a sign of a massive problem.

Swelling all over the body may also be suggestive of anaphylaxis or a general overhaul in the body’s immune response which may warrant a doctor’s attention.

Intense Pain

If a wasp sting causes severe pain that does not ease with the use of medications then you should visit a doctor. Some degree of pain and discomfort is to be expected and a part of the recuperative process but constant or increasing discomfort may be indicative of a reaction.

Pain that does not fade might mean that the sting has affected deeper tissues or an allergic reaction one's occurring after the sting. Also, constant soreness may signify that the venom is producing more significant inflammation in the body.

Signs of Infection

If you have increased redness, swelling, tenderness, or pus forming at the sting site you should consult a doctor in order to avoid complications. These symptoms point to the fact that things have become complicated in the sting.

Infection also results in other complications such as other discomfort and may also slow down the recovery period besides putting the other areas of the body at risk for the same infection.