Wasp sting is often very uncomfortable as it causes severe pain, swelling and severe redness in the puncture area, however these symptoms are mainly related to the size of the sting and not to the intensity of the poison.
Although these insects may appear more toxic than a wasp, they are non-toxic and therefore cause milder symptoms because the sting does not stay at the site of the bite releasing more poison, as in the case of wasps, so it is not necessary to remove the sting before starting treatment.
To relieve symptoms, you need
The application of the cold compress can be repeated several times during the day, as long as you feel the need to relieve swelling or pain.The ointment should only be applied 3 to 4 times a day, or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
In most cases, these steps are sufficient to improve symptoms and relieve discomfort caused by the bite in a few minutes, however, if the pain does not improve or the symptoms become more intense, preventing the movement of the hand, for example, It is very important to go to the hospital, because a severe allergic reaction may develop, which should be treated with more specific remedies.
Wasps usually only sting when they feel threatened, so out-of-reach wasp nests aren’t usually a problem.
In many cases, wasp bite swelling only lasts one day and improves significantly after applying the cold compress.However, people more sensitive to insect venom may have a more overreaction, which makes the swelling last longer, up to 2 or 3 days.
Although this is rarer, there are also people where swelling can improve and return to worsen within 2 days of the bite, staying up to 7 days In these situations, in addition to applying the cold compress, you can also keep the bite site higher, especially during sleep, to speed recovery.
Symptoms after a wasp bite may vary depending on each person’s sensitivity, but the most common are:
Although wasp stinging causes symptoms that are not dangerous to health, some people are more sensitive to their venom; in these cases, a more severe allergic reaction, known as an anaphylactic reaction, can be identified by symptoms such as very severe itching in the area, swelling of the lips and face, a lump in the throat or shortness of breath.In these situations, you should go to the hospital immediately or call a doctor to start treatment with corticosteroids and antiallergic agents.
Learn more about how to identify an anaphylactic reaction and how it’s treated.
In most cases, the wasp bite can be treated at home, without major complications, however, it is important to go to the hospital when:
Usually, in these cases, it is necessary to start treatment with drugs directly in the vein, such as antihistamines, corticosteroids or antibiotics, for example.