How to Treat a Wasp Sting

Are you wondering how to treat a wasp sting? These are some of the most painful insect stings. Unlike biting insects, wasps leave their stinger in the surface of the wound, continuing to deposit the venom that causes a reaction when entering the body through the bloodstream. Learning how to treat a wasp sting promptly will lessen the effects of this painful sting.

Seek immediate treatment for a wasp sting.

A wasp is a flying insect that belongs in the Vespoidea and Sphecoidea family. Wasps have slender bodies, a pair of membranous wings, and mouths that can bite or sting. There are three types of wasps and they are broken into the following families:

1. Parasitic wasp: Non-aggressive wasps who lay eggs inside or on other insects. The females have stingers to lay eggs inside the victim. The stinger is not painful.
2. Social wasp: There are three groups of the social wasp: the yellow jacket, the western yellow jacket, and the genus Vespula. These groups share a common trait: they belong to colonized families that build paper pulp nests that are completely abandoned annually in the fall, leaving behind a few queen wasps who will rebuild a colony the following season. This group is the most common and likely to sting humans.
3. Solitary hunting wasp: This group includes two families, the Sphecidae and Pompilidae. The Specidae hunts insects while the Pompilidae hunts spiders. Both groups go out and seek the prey, paralyze it, return it to the nest and lay eggs on it. The Pompilidae wasp species is known to have the most painful sting of all wasps, although human encounters are not as common.

Many wasps build nests in attic spaces or sheltered areas, including outdoor areas such as mud holes and hollowed plants. Discovering a wasp nest indicates a family of wasps could be nearby. Take great care when approaching a wasp nest or when trying to remove it. It's always best to contact a professional pest control company for proper wasp nest removal.

Chances are you'll feel a wasp sting, and the following symptoms will quickly follow the bite:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Itching
• Pain

Some individuals may be allergic to the sting and may experience life threatening reactions to the venomous bite. If any of the following symptoms occur, seek immediate medical care:

• Tongue or facial swelling
• Spreading rash
• Fainting
• Fever or sweating
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea

If you've had the unfortunate experience of being stung by a bee or wasp, you'll need to seek prompt wasp sting remedies to alleviate some of the symptoms and side effects of the wound.

• Remove stinger: First, it is very important to remove the stinger from the skin. The stinger will continue to deposit venom into the bloodstream, worsening the effects of the sting. To remove the stinger, use a pair of tweezers and pull it out.
• Apply ice: Apply ice directly on the sting to reduce the swelling of the bite. Apply in intervals of 15-20 minutes.
• Pain relief: Tylenol or any other pain relieving drug may be used to help reduce the pain associated with the swelling. In children or babies, seek a physician's advice prior to treating with medication.
• Itch relief: To help control the itch of the sting, apply Caladryl lotion directly on the wound as needed.

Luckily, the painful swelling of a wasp sting only lasts up to 24 hours, and many of the symptoms will subside within hours of the wound.

In the future, to avoid or prevent future wasp sting occurrences, stay away from wasps and their nests. In addition, wear light colored clothing while outdoors and avoid the use of heavy perfume or fragrance. If you encounter a wasp, always avoid swatting it or chasing it. Wasps become very defensive when they are attacked, and the colony may be nearby, waiting to join the attack if need be. It's best to stand still, or promptly leave the area of the wasp nest. Children should be warned of the dangers of wasp nests and should be taught to stay far away from this flying insect and their families.

Although enjoying the outdoors has its fair share of dangers, practicing caution and common sense will lessen the occurrence of insect bites and stings.

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