What is a Wasp sting?

A wasp sting is caused by the stinger part of an insect called Wasp. It causes inflammation and irritation at the site of the sting. The sting delivers venom to the person stung by the wasps. Usually they do not sting any person randomly, but resort to this defence system when they are threatened or their nest or territory is disturbed. Wasp sting should be treated immediately.

It is interesting to know that male wasps are harmless. It is the female wasps that have the venomous sting which injects poison in human or animal body. The sting of female wasps is a sharp tubular structure which doubles up as an egg-laying organ. Wasps come out of their nests to look for food or plant juices, generally during late summer months.

It is not very clear about the accurate composition of wasp venom, but it can be safely said that it is a mixture of several enzymes and proteins. As measured by the pH scale, wasp venom is alkaline in nature. This is where bee sting differs from wasp sting. Bee stings are acidic in nature.

Symptoms

Normally, the symptoms of wasp sting are minor – mild irritation, pain and swelling. But it can sometimes get serious also depending on the amount of poison injected and the ability of body to react. Serious symptoms include nausea, vomiting, huge hives and sometimes headache. It is very important act fast and to undergo wasp sting treatment fast.

Other symptoms

Sometimes, people develop rashes and skin redness. For people who are really allergic to wasp poison, severe reactions like swelling around eyes, throat tightness, swelling of lips, diarrhoea, low blood pressure, breathing problems etc may also occur. If such severe symptoms occur, it is time to rush to a physician and get treatment of wasp sting immediately.

Treatment

Wasp sting treatment requires immediate attention. There are certain home remedies which come in very handy to relieve the pain immediately.

• First and foremost, you should remove the stringer from the skin by pluckers or dull butter knife, as sting contains venom which might begin to spread if stayed on for long time.
• As soon as the sting is removed, wash the site of sting with soap and water. Dry it gently with towel.
• After that you should 2-3 ice cubes, wrap them in a cloth and rub it over the swelling for some time. But care should be taken that ice cubes should not be applies to the skin directly. Ice packs can also be used for 10-15 minutes.
• One can make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it over the skin area stung by a wasp. Baking soda helps to curtail inflammation and soothes the burning skin.
• To avoid allergic reaction, use hydrocortisone cream over it.
• The most useful home product for wasp sting treatment is vinegar. It extracts poison out of the skin and gives immediate relief.
• If pain or inflammation continues, visit a physician immediately.

Prevention

If you have wasp nests around your house, use fatal funnel to attract them, entrap them into the funnel and kill them. It is quite safe as it does not contain any chemicals and they are completely reusable.