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Wasp Stings: Treatment and Prevention

October 1st, 2009 Posted in Stinging Insects

Wasps are one insect you don’t want to fuss with. These flying fiends can pack a lot more punch than their size indicates. Wasps normally cause about 90-100 deaths a year. If you’re in the wrong spot at the wrong time, they’re going to get you.

Wasp stings and bee stings are a very common occurrence; most people get stung at least once in their lifetime. However, not everyone is affected by a sting in the same way.

The main difference between reactions is that some people are allergic to wasp stings, while others are not.

This article will explain:

• A wasp sting in action
• What to do if you’ve been stung
• Ways to prevent a sting

A Wasp Sting in Action

Reacting to a threat, wasps sting their victims in defense. Anything from walking through the woods to touching their nest can illicit a sting. Both bees and wasps sting, but wasps sting repeatedly, making sure they’ve truly stung their victim and stung them good.

Once stung, the victim can expect swelling and redness around where the wasp stung you. Most people will have an intense need to itch where they were stung. Applying salt to the wound can easily help to reduce the swelling and redness. In most cases this is as far as the reaction to the sting goes, others are not always so lucky.

The symptoms vary from person to person, but can increase in seriousness very quickly.

Some symptoms include:

• Hives
• Stomach cramps
• Headache
• Swelling
• Fever

Most serious of all is the loss of consciousness and difficulty breathing. When the last two symptoms occur, a person is going into anaphylactic shock. This is the worst reaction a person can have to wasp stings.

It all comes down to how sensitive your own body is to the venom that the stinger is pumping into your body at rapid speeds.

Sensitivity is affected by a person’s:

• Age
• Medication
• Any heart conditions
• Own body’s composition

Having such a high-risk reaction to a stinger only happens in 1% of stings, but when it happens it can be bad unless properly dealt with.

What to Do Next

Once a person is stung, you must immediately remove the stinger to help reduce the amount of venom delivered. Once the stinger is out, wash the whole area with soap and water, and finally, apply ice to reduce the swelling.

More serious reactions require immediate medical attention. Uncontrollable swelling or problems breathing indicate a big problem, thus getting to the hospital right away is your best bet.

If you have been stung once before, you know the range of symptoms you’ll personally experience and what to expect. If you haven’t been stung before, make sure to gauge your own reaction to the sting and get medial attention if things start to get out of hand.

The best treatment for getting stung is always prevention.

Ways to Prevent Wasp Stings

Some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind:

• Avoid wearing most aftershaves and perfumes
• Don’t drink sugary drinks outdoors
• Use the best wasp spray, EcoSMART’s Wasp & Hornet Killer
• If a wasp approaches you sudden jerky movements, just remain motionless and calm
• Avoid wearing brightly colored clothes in outdoor areas