Wasp sting: what to do and remedies against swelling

  
The wasp sting is a likely eventuality that can have very unpleasant consequences, especially if to suffer from it are subjects particularly predisposed to allergies. Do not panic is the first step to take, although to accompany an immediate flush there is generally a fairly acute pain.

Wasps are flying insects that, unlike bees, can repeatedly sting, so trying to get away and shelter is a primary necessity.

If the sting of the wasp causes particularly annoying symptoms it is essential to contact the doctor or go to the nearest emergency room, so as to exclude a real anaphylactic shock that usually manifests with difficult breathing, nausea, vomiting and failure, swelling of the oral cavity.

Symptoms and first intervention

Immediately after the sting of a wasp can manifest various symptoms: the affected area becomes red, swollen and painful, you will feel pruritus and burning and generally you notice a small white surface in relief, which indicates the actual puncture. Intervene promptly to try to identify the sting is essential, possibly providing for the removal and subsequent washing of the affected area with cold water and soap. As mentioned, in most cases the symptoms are limited to the appearance of temporary discomfort that require a do-it-yourself intervention: you can use ointments and antihistamine medicines, but there are also numerous natural remedies that neutralize the swelling and itching, promoting a full recovery of skin.

Natural remedies

– Having ice at your fingertips can help soothe the swelling caused by the sting of a wasp very quickly: you need to apply on the affected area an ice bag or some small cubes wrapped in a cloth, leaving it to act for a quarter of an hour so to get benefits from the point of view of both swelling and burning.

– Also sodium bicarbonate is an effective remedy, mixing a small portion with water to get a mixture to rub on the skin and leave on for a few minutes before rinsing.

Other resources can come from various foods and substances of common use:

– cointments based on calendula, useful for calm down and appease the itching;

– lemon slices or juice to be applied to the area affected by the puncture to disinfect and eliminate the effects caused by the venom released by the wasp;

– vinegar applied on the damaged skin through a gauze or a cotton pad;

– aloe vera gel used in the form of ointment or extracting the gel from the plant;

– lemon balm in leaves to be applied on the puncture or in the form of herbal tea to be used soaking a cloth to lay down on the skin; basil leaves reduced into small pieces and applied on the sting, ensuring that they release calming essential oils for both pain and itching;

– sliced potatoes to be gently rubbed on the sting to obtain benefits from the starch they contain, favoring the reduction of reddening and discomfort;

– garlic or onion respectively chopped and sliced, both vegetables useful for disinfecting and placating burning and pain.