In September, several serious cases of wasp attacks on people became known. In Grodno, insects bit kindergarten students, in Slutsk they attacked children in the courtyard of a residential building, and in the Slutsk region a woman died from wasp bites. Entomologists (entomology is a branch of zoology that studies insects) claim that there has not been any significant increase in the activity of stinging insects this year, but they remind us of the importance of following the rules of behavior around them. A BELTA correspondent found out how to act in the event of an attack by bees, wasps and hornets and in what cases after being bitten you should seek medical help.
Does the wasp bite or sting?
The wasp has not only a sharp sting, but also strong, strong jaws. When defending against enemies or hunting, a predator does not always sting; it often uses its mouthparts, with which an adult easily bites through the chitinous shell of insects. But when attacking a person, wasps always use a sting, with which they inject poison into the wound. Moreover, an insect can sting several times in a row without any harm to itself.
The structure of a wasp sting
If you examine under a microscope what a wasp sting looks like, the first thing that catches your eye is an absolutely smooth surface, without any jagged or rough edges. Essentially, a wasp sting is a long, thin, durable and very sharp needle made of chitin. Inside the sting there is a duct that is connected to a gland that produces a toxic substance. At the moment of danger, the iron produces a portion of poison that flows through the channel and enters the victim’s blood through a puncture in the skin. In its normal state, the sting is practically invisible, because it is retracted into the abdomen of the wasp.
Sting
Does a wasp leave a stinger after stinging?
As a rule, the wasp bites the victim without risking anything. Since the wasp's sting is smooth, after a bite the insect effortlessly removes it by contracting its muscles and either hides it or uses it for a second attack. So not only does the wasp not die after being bitten, it is able to use the sting dozens of times throughout its life.
Of course, there are situations when an insect is left without a sting, for example, if a large victim resisted and the sharp weapon broke off. But even in this case, there is most often no danger to the life of the insect.
Difference from a bee sting
At first glance, bee and wasp stings are similar in many ways, both in the reaction (severe pain, burning, swelling) and in the fact that a toxic substance enters the bloodstream. But there are also significant differences. The main one is that the bee bites only once, after which it dies, leaving a sting with a part of the torn off body at the site of the bite. It is unknown how many times a wasp can sting during its life; scientists believe that the number of bites is unlimited; in one attack, an insect can sting about 5 times.
Aspen venom differs in composition from bee venom, but despite this, both substances are used as a therapy for certain pathologies. Research is currently underway into the effects of the toxic substance secreted by wasps on cancer cells, which may help create a drug for the treatment of cancer.
How to treat the affected area
In case of severe itching, you can apply grated raw potatoes to the wound. – Fresh celery juice mixed with a little wine vinegar will help relieve itching. – You can use compresses made from pharmaceutical alcohol or pure distillate. – Apply the cut onion and leave for 15 minutes. This vegetable will secrete juice, which, penetrating into the irritated area, will relieve swelling and itching. – Calendula essential oil has a calming effect. – Lemon juice helps eliminate swelling. – The wound can be treated with a banana. To do this, you need to steam it, peel it and cool it. Then mash with a fork until it becomes a thick jelly and rub the bite area with it. – Apply a handkerchief soaked in vinegar for half an hour.
Signs of a wasp sting
The main symptoms of a wasp sting:
- burning pain in the affected area;
- skin redness;
- edema.
Bite
These signs appear in everyone, but sometimes an allergy occurs, which manifests itself as follows:
- severe swelling spreading far beyond the bitten area;
- itching;
- rash;
- labored breathing;
- too fast or slow pulse;
- dizziness, weakness;
- high temperature, fever, chills;
- nausea, vomiting.
In a healthy person, symptoms disappear 1 to 3 days after he was attacked by wasps. But it also happens that recovery takes several weeks.
First aid
To reduce the unpleasant consequences of a wasp sting, the victim should be given first aid as quickly as possible:
- carefully examine the bite site; if there is a sting left in the wound, remove it with tweezers;
- treat the wound with a disinfectant;
- apply ice;
- take an antihistamine.
The person who has been bitten is advised to drink plenty of fluids (preferably clean water) in order to remove toxins from the body as quickly as possible.
How to quickly relieve swelling and redness?
The wasp bite hurts, and the affected area quickly swells and turns red. Special medications help reduce pain and unpleasant symptoms, but if they are not at hand, you can use:
- activated carbon (several tablets are dissolved in water, a cotton pad is moistened in the solution and applied to the wound);
- a gruel of chopped parsley relieves itching, swelling and inflammation;
- Plantain juice promotes rapid regeneration and relieves swelling.
The easiest way is to apply a cold compress or simply hold the bitten area under running cold water.
Folk remedies
Symptoms disappear completely within a week. All this time the sore spot hurts and itches. To speed up tissue regeneration, folk remedies are used. They are also used if it is not possible to treat the wound with professional antiseptics.
- Baking soda. Making pasta. Add a little water, mix, apply to the bite area until dry.
- Laundry soap. Foam should be applied to the bite. Leave for 5 minutes.
- Plant juices. Celandine, dandelion, plantain, and aloe vera are used.
- Toothpaste. For medicinal purposes, a hygiene product with menthol is used. Leave on skin for 5 minutes. Instead of paste, use shaving foam.
- Onion. Squeeze out the juice or apply the paste to the sore spot. The product neutralizes poison and prevents infection.
On a note!
The juices of potatoes, carrots, beets, lemon, and grapefruit have anti-inflammatory properties. They make compresses, lotions, and simply wipe the wound.
Lotions to relieve puffiness
The bite site can be treated with parsley juice to relieve inflammation and reduce swelling. To do this, the greens are washed and finely chopped. Then knead it with a pestle or regular spoon to make a paste. It is wrapped in gauze and the juice is squeezed out. A piece of cotton wool is moistened in it and applied to the wound. The lotion is changed every 3 hours.
Tip: Do not use wooden utensils to mash parsley, as the material quickly absorbs liquid.
To reduce swelling, use an alcohol tincture of calendula. Soak a cloth in undiluted liquid and apply it to the bite site as a compress for half an hour. Then rub an ointment of 50 ml of water, 30 g of baking soda and 1 tbsp into the affected area. l. calendula tinctures.
Mint helps reduce itching after a wasp sting. The leaves, mashed with a spoon, are applied as a lotion to the wound and secured with a bandage. After 2-3 hours it is replaced with a fresh one. Mint soothes irritation and helps relieve inflammation and redness.
Sour fruits
If there is no means at home to anoint wasp stings, fruits with sour pulp that neutralize toxins are used for treatment. Lemon juice effectively eliminates swelling and itching. The fruit is cut into slices and applied to the wound. For the same purpose, lotions are made with fresh lemon juice.
You can replace lemon with sour varieties of apples. The fruit is cut in half and massaged into the skin on the affected area. Another option for use is apple pulp lotion. For it, the fruit is grated or mashed in a blender. Then the paste is applied to the damaged area and secured with a bandage. This treatment eliminates swelling within three days.
Garlic pulp
To quickly cure swelling and relieve redness, use garlic. The vegetable has a bactericidal effect and relieves inflammation. Several cloves are peeled from the films and finely chopped, or passed through a press. The resulting pulp should be applied to the areas of the skin around the wound. Then the lotion is fixed with a bandage and left for 2 hours. In the first minutes, a burning sensation is felt, but the discomfort soon passes. You can replace garlic with onions. These vegetables have very pungent juice. Therefore, there is no need to apply the paste directly to the wound.
Potatoes and tomatoes
Wounds from stinging insect bites quickly heal if a paste of tomato pulp is applied to them. Vegetables are used ripe or green. In this case, unripe fruits are not ground, but simply cut into slices and applied to the affected area, secured with a bandage.
To relieve redness and reduce swelling, use raw potatoes. The fruit, peeled, is grated or ground in a blender until mushy. Then the resulting pulp is wrapped in several layers of gauze and applied to the wound for 1 hour.
How to help at home?
If there are no medicines at hand, folk remedies that can be found in every home can help. By the way, natural remedies will also come in handy if a wasp has bitten a pregnant woman, for whom the list of approved medications is very limited. More often than others, the following are used to treat the bite site:
- aloe juice or pulp;
- a slurry of soda mixed with water;
- sour fruit (lemon, sour blocks);
- diluted apple cider vinegar;
- tomato pulp (both ripe and green);
- grated fresh potatoes.
Grated potatoes
Some housewives advise adding chopped onion or garlic, but the juice of these plants is very caustic, so the method is not suitable for everyone. In particular, such lotions are not recommended for treating wasp stings during pregnancy
What are they?
Only representatives of the group of so-called “paper wasps” sting us. These include more than 1000 different species living on the globe, including those common in Russia: the common wasp, the German wasp and the hornet. The first two are very similar to each other both in size and in black and yellow striped pattern, only the German wasp gravitates toward city life, while the common wasp prefers the countryside.
The hornet is the largest and most dangerous wasp, its “sting” is the most painful, but, fortunately, hornets are much less common.
Hornet. Photo: Shutterstock.com/ Maciej Olszewski
What to do depending on the location of the bite?
A wasp can sting any part of the body. First aid will vary slightly depending on where the affected area is:
- the wasp has bitten the lip or tongue - the victim should take an antihistamine, you can let him suck on ice;
- if a wasp stings your eye, you should apply a napkin moistened with cold water, but it is better not to use ice, so as not to chill the facial nerve;
- If you are bitten on the neck, you should immediately take an antihistamine.
The most dangerous are wasp bites to the eye, neck, and tongue. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Allergy from wasp sting
An allergic reaction can occur in both experienced allergy sufferers and those who have previously endured insect bites without pain. In the most severe cases, swelling of the tongue and larynx develops, the person suffocates and loses consciousness.
Medications
To prevent the development of allergies, the stung person must take special medications:
- Suprastin;
- Cetrin;
- Tavegil.
Suprastin
For local application use: Psilo-balm, Fenistil gel, Rescuer.
What should you not do?
To avoid worsening your condition, the person who has been bitten should not:
- comb or rub the wound;
- smoke immediately after the bite;
- apply iodine and brilliant green directly to the wound.
Incorrect treatment can cause complications.
What to do if anaphylactic shock occurs?
If the condition is serious, you must immediately call an ambulance and try to alleviate the victim’s condition so that he does not die before the doctors arrive:
- lay down with legs raised;
- unbutton your clothes to make breathing easier;
- give an antihistamine.
If a person has lost his life or is not breathing, it is necessary to perform artificial respiration and cardiac massage.
What should you never do?
After a wasp sting, it is prohibited:
- try to squeeze the poison out of the wound;
- drinking alcohol;
- cauterize the wound;
- treat the bite site with hormonal agents.
Wrong actions in the event of a wasp sting can lead to a sharp deterioration in health, and the person may even die.
Preventive measures
Experienced beekeepers know that the best way to protect a hive from any misfortune is a strong bee colony. She needs to be provided with a complete food supply and good living conditions. The family must have a young, highly productive queen. She gives more offspring. The hives should be insulated so that the bees do not have to waste energy heating the brood.
A strong family is able to cope with the invaders on its own. She can even repel an attack from hornets. The dimensions of the European hornet are 22-25 mm, they are not much larger than honey insects. In countries where aggressors reach 50-70 mm, local bees have developed special battle tactics. They surround the hornet in a dense ball of several hundred individuals. Thanks to the movement of the bodies and the vibration of the wings, the temperature inside the swarm rises to 470. The heat quickly kills the predator. After two or three minutes, the bees fly away and the hornet falls dead.
Preventing wasp stings
To avoid a wasp sting, you need to know why these insects attack people and be careful. You need to be especially careful:
- having a picnic in nature;
- pruning fruit bushes and trees;
- picking berries or fruits, especially in the second half of summer;
- being in a wooden shed, in an attic, in a bathhouse;
- throwing garbage into a street container.
A wasp attack can be provoked by a sugary sweet aroma or the smell of food. When insects appear nearby, you must behave calmly, do not wave your arms, otherwise she will begin to defend herself.
