Wasps are annoying creatures that fly around you and your food. They are mainly attracted to sweets, such as popsicles and soft ice cream. Wasps can sting, although they don’t do that often. If they sense danger they sting. But how do you treat a wasp sting?
A wasp sting, what now?
About six people in the Netherlands die every year from a wasp sting. But a wasp sting ends well in 98% of cases, provided you treat it properly and you do not experience any allergic reactions.
A wasp sting is painful. If you are stung you will feel a burning, stabbing pain. The skin around the sting then becomes thick and red. The site of the sting often looks like a small hole in the skin. After the sting it can be very sensitive and painful for a few days.
Besides stinging, wasps can also bite. This is less painful and much less serious than a wasp sting. When a wasp bites, you do not ingest any poison and you will not get any swelling. You only feel the pain, as if the skin is clamped between tweezers.
A wasp only stings when it feels threatened. Only the females sting, as the male wasps do not have a stinger. Many people wave their arms when a wasp is nearby, trying to scare the wasp away. This often has the opposite effect, the wasp then starts to feel threatened and/or anxious and is much more likely to sting. It is much smarter to remain calm when there is a wasp, it will fly away on its own. Are you afraid of wasps? Then just walk away quietly.
When it stings, the wasp leaves behind a poisonous substance, but it does not leave a stinger. Often you will no longer be bothered by the sting after a few hours, but if you are allergic you can still be bothered by it for days. The skin can swell considerably, and swelling can also occur in other parts of the body, such as the eyes and lips. Shortness of breath and shortness of breath are also symptoms. People who know that they are allergic to a wasp sting often have medication with them to take after the sting.
When to go to the doctor?
- It is especially necessary to go to the doctor if you are sensitive to a wasp sting, but you do not have any medication with you.
- If you become unwell after the wasp sting. This symptom usually occurs within 15 minutes and may also indicate that you are allergic to a wasp sting.
- If you have been stung in the mouth, throat, nose, neck or tongue.
What can you do yourself against a wasp sting?
- Suctioning: Suction vigorously at the sting site, then spit out the venom. Never swallow!
- Apply cream: Complaints such as itching and pain can be relieved by various creams. Ask the pharmacy for advice.
- Cooling: You can, for example, cool the wasp sting with menthol ointment.
- Removing rings: If you have been stabbed in a finger or in your hand, it is wise to remove rings due to possible swelling.
- Disinfect the wound: It is smart to disinfect the wound with water, soap and possibly alcohol.
- Always keep an eye on the swelling. If the skin around the sting thickens or you are bothered by it a lot, see a doctor.
But of course you can also do a lot to prevent a wasp sting. Be careful when eating and drinking outside. Cover food left outside, and don’t drink from a glass without looking into it first. Also be careful with strong scented perfumes and soaps. Wasps are attracted to this.
