7 Natural Remedies For Wasp Sting
An insect sting such as a wasp or bee are both painful yet are not much of a concern.
Wasp stings are a common occurrence during the warmer seasons when there are tons of people outside for longer periods just like going to the beach or to the park.
Wasps, just like bees and hornets, are equipped with a stinger as their self-defense mechanism.
A wasp’s stinger contains a venom which is transferred to people through their sting. However, even without a stinger, the wasp’s venom can cause a significant amount of pain and irritation on the affected part.
Its sting can be uncomfortable and overwhelming, however, most people usually recover quickly without any complications.
Unfortunately, if you have an allergy with insect stings, this can cause a serious allergic reaction such as a life-threatening illness.
A bee and wasp sting are common yet painful during the first few minutes. Just like the bee’s stinging apparatus, it consists of a sac of venom attached to a stinger.
With the wasp, it is similar but with a smoother stinger.
A wasp has a narrower structure than bees with pointed lower abdomens. A wasp can sting more than once, unlike honey bees that will die after they sting.
In addition to that, it is said that wasps are more aggressive in using their stingers when they are threatened.
Getting stinged by a honey bee will usually leave a stinger in your skin, a wasp, on the other hand, will keep their stinger intact.
If ever a wasp stings you, you’ll likely experience the following symptoms:
Redness and warmth
Pain and swelling
Hives
Itchiness
Burning sensation
There are several symptoms that develop after being stung by a wasp or bee. This can create an allergic reaction which needs urgent medical attention.
Without treatment, anaphylactic shock may occur very quickly. This can be fatal.
Symptoms that may signal anaphylaxis include:
Wheezing or difficulty breathing
Severe swelling of the face, throat, or lips
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Stomach cramps
Itching or hives in places other than the site of the sting
Fast heart rate
A sudden drop in blood pressure or weak pulse
Dizziness or feeling faint
Difficulty swallowing
Confusion, anxiety, or agitation
There are thousands of species of wasps found in a lot of parts of the world. The most common wasps are:
The yellow jacket and hornet which are both found in warmer climates.
Yellow jackets have black and yellow stripes on the abdomen, forming underground nests.
Hornets are predominantly black with some yellow markings on the head and thorax. A hornet’s nest is attached to trees, bushes or buildings.
Almost everyone has been stung by a bee or a wasp in their lifetime. A wasp and bee sting not because they’re designed to do that, but because they feel threatened therefore using their stingers as a defense-mechanism.
A sting from a yellow jacket wasp or a hornet can be an unpleasant experience.
And can even be frightening for younger children as it causes a very painful sensation especially for those who are allergic to insect stings.
This may also be life-threatening to people allergic to sting poison. This allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis.
During warmer climates, where wasps and bees are all over, if you are allergic to insect stings, you better carry your medication and seek medical attention right away.
As previously said, a wasp’s stinger is not similar to the bee’s.
Because a wasp’s stinger is designed to be used repeatedly, imposing a threat over and over again and stabbing the prey.
A wasp attacks in large numbers when a threat is detected. A threatened wasp releases a pheromone that calls the rest of the soldier wasps,
There are various natural remedies for wasp sting that you can try:
See Also:
Lemon
A wasp sting can be treated with squeezing a lemon and using its juice as a topical treatment for the sting.
Do this by dabbing a cotton swab or cloth in lemon juice and directly applying it on the sting.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste has been a popular remedy for burns, but why stings? This may be due to its cooling properties which helps alleviate the pain caused by insect stings.
toothpaste is an inexpensive and easy home remedy to try. Simply dab a bit on the affected area.
Baking Soda
Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is known for helping neutralize ph levels such as levels of bee venom to reduce symptoms of wasp stings.
Simply apply a thick layer of baking soda paste on the affected area, then cover with a bandage. Leave it for at least 15 minutes before removing it. You may repeat this process as needed.
Ice
This simple yet effective remedy can temporarily reduce swelling from wasps, bees, and hornet stings.
Cold temperature gives of a cooling effect as well as slows down the blood flow making it beneficial in reducing pain from a wasp sting.
Do this by simply using an ice cube or ice pack and placing it directly on the sting for about 20 minutes.
Garlic
This popular cooking ingredient is actually a pain reliever for insect stings. Do this by crushing a clove of garlic and brush it on your skin.
After applying it on the skin, place a plaster and leave it for a while for best results.
Aloe Vera Gel
This natural skin remedy is very popular for treating burns or dry skin. This is a plant-based gel found in the leaves of the aloe vera plant.
The sticky substance inside naturally soothes and moisturizes the skin due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Essential Oils
Many essential oils usually contain antibacterial, antiseptic, or antifungal properties and have long been used as a home remedy to relieve pain and swelling such as that of a bee and wasp sting.
Here are the following oils that are often used as a natural remedy:
Tea tree oil
Witch hazel
Lavender oil
Thyme oil
Rosemary oil
You may dilute the essential oil in water or mix it with a neutral carrier oil such as olive oil.
.jpg)
_edited_edited.jpg)