Deal with wasp sting

Wasp stings are common during the warm months and there is no way to control it. And believe it when we say that they are really painful. Wasps sting when they feel their space is being trespassed or they feel threatened by someone. It is a defence mechanism.
A wasp may sometimes sting more than once and still remain alive unlike the honey bees that die. But For some, a wasp sting can be fatal. WTN tells you more about the symptoms and some home remedies to deal with the wasp sting.

Symptoms
• Rapid heart beat
• Abdominal cramps
• Sudden fall in blood pressure
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
• Raised welt around the stung area
• Slurring or difficulty in speaking clearly
• Breathing issues- wheezing or gasping
• Severe swelling of face, lips, throat, tongue
• Blurred vision, dizziness, loss of consciousness
• Tiny white mark in the middle of the punctured area
• Burning sensation, itching, rashes in other body parts

Remember
• A wasp sting may appear to be red and swollen for two to five hours
• Keep the area clean and look of signs of infection like swelling, redness or pain
• If fingers swell, remove rings, bangles, bracelets etc., immediately
• Do not rub

Treatment
Remove the stinger: Remove the stinger with the help of a blunt butter knife or tweezers. Be gentle and make sure to avoid pinching the venom sac at the end of the stinger. If this sac breaks, more poisonous substance will be released into the body.
Scrape it in the opposite direction that the stinger entered the skin and clean the area with warm soapy water. Sterilise the affected area by rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide and then start with the below given remedies.
Elevate the stung body part using pillows, blankets etc.

Try these remedies

• Ice: Wrap an ice cube in a cloth and gently place it on the punctured area for about 10 minutes. Repeat after a gap of 10 minutes. This will control the pain and swelling.
• Apple cider vinegar: The acidic property of vinegar neutralizes the venom. Hence, if a cotton pad soaked in ACV is placed or applied on the sore sting, it works on the pain.
• Baking soda: Make a thick paste of baking soda by adding little water and apply it over the stung area. Also, instead of using water to make a paste, one can use ACV to get rid of discomfort. Similarly, baking soda can be replaced with salt.
• Lemon and its juice: Cut a thin slice of lemon and place it over the skin for 15 minutes. If need be, repeat. The acid will neutralize the venom and kill the pain and reduce swelling. Also, a few drops of the lemon juice can be squeezed on the spot.
• Onion: Cut a thick slice of onion and keep it on the affected and surrounding area. Its antibacterial properties will help reduce the swelling and pain.
• Garlic: Roughly crush or grate a few pieces of garlic and apply it on the affected area. Secure it with band-aid. You may additionally mix a little salt to it.
• Cucumber or potato: A slice of cucumber and its juice placed on the puncture gives instant soothing and cool feeling. Similarly, raw potato too gives instant relief.
• Olive Oil: Gently applying olive oil increases the pace of healing.
• Marigolds: Squeeze a few petals of fresh marigold flowers and hold it on the spot for a few minutes. Secure it with a band-aid.
• Aloe vera: Use the gel of the medicinal plant and directly apply it on the area to speed up the healing process.

Warning: Quick treatment is important, but medications can mask the severity of symptoms and disguise an allergic reaction. Severe allergic reactions to wasp stings are referred to as “anaphylaxis.” It happens when the body goes into shock due to the venom.

-windowtonews