What To Do In Case Of A Wasp Sting?

Usually this moment is marked by panic. But remaining calm and acting properly is the key when dealing with this type of incident that is so common in everyday life.

Many of us have had the experience of getting a wasp sting. While it’s usually nothing particularly serious, it can be quite painful. So, regardless of whether it was an adult who took a wasp sting or whether it was a child, it’s worth knowing how to act in these cases.

Next, find out how to provide first aid in the event of a wasp sting and under what circumstances a wasp sting can be life-threatening.

Wasp sting symptoms

Taking a wasp sting is quite common in many parts of the world. While all stings are painful and bothersome, the truth is that it also depends a lot on the species of wasp in the area where you live, and is usually a danger when it comes to a swarm. The most common symptoms of wasp stings are:

• Tingling sensation in the lips and in the fingers and toes.
• Inflammation and burning in the bite area.
• Light dizziness.

Except for the rash and a slight burning in the sting region that can last for a few days, the symptoms are mild and subside until they disappear within a few hours.

Urgent attention symptomatology

Of course, there are circumstances in which a wasp sting becomes more dangerous . In these cases, immediate medical attention is essential. A clinical condition that requires the presence of a doctor is:

• Fever
• difficulty breathing
• Loss of consciousness
• Acceleration of heart rate
• Swelling of the face or part of the face
• Severe dizziness or a feeling of lightheadedness that does not diminish

• Stings in the neck or nose region that can compromise breathing

Wasp considerations

Before moving on to first aid, it is worth noting that wasps have some differences from bees. It’s interesting to know some of these differences to know how to deal if you or someone close to you gets stinged.

Although there are very interesting and varied differences in terms of the shape of these insects, the ecosystems they inhabit, food, among others, in the case of stings, we are interested in knowing that, unlike bees, which die after the sting, wasps do not.

Why is this information important? To offer two pieces of advice. The first is to pay attention to the wasp that has just bitten someone, thinking it has died. The second is not to confuse the absence of the stinger in the bite as an indicator that it is there, but hidden by swelling. This can cause the search for the stinger to end up hurting the skin even more.

First aid

For most bites, the guidelines are almost the same:

1. Try not to move the affected area too much so as not to spread the venom from the sting through the blood stream.
2. Wash the wasp sting area gently with soap and water . Do not try to squeeze the sting that begins to form on the skin in an attempt to remove the poison. You can apply ice to try to reduce swelling or relieve pain.
3. Apply an antiseptic. Most of the time, it will neutralize the action of the venom and pathogens present in the wasp sting, thus preventing the affected region from developing into an infection.
4. If necessary, take a pain reliever to relieve pain in the area.

Respiratory emergencies from a wasp sting

Allergies, like some illnesses, can make symptoms worse when receiving a wasp sting. Asthma is one of the cases in which the bite can represent a fatal outcome if the person is not immediately attended to by an ambulance.

Other than a few infections where blood pressure drops or heart rate increases, most of the serious problems that some people experience when they receive a wasp sting are dangerous.

Serious problems occur due to the body’s inflammatory response to the bite. More specifically, this inflammation can cause breathing to be obstructed and thus the need to act quickly if the person experiences difficulty breathing.