STING FIRST AID
RELATED CONTENT
If, despite all your precautions, you do get stung by a
wasp or bee, treat the bite immediately. A bee leaves its
stinger and attached venom sac behind. This is not true of
wasps, but sometimes a part of a wasp stinger will break
off and remain. In either case, gently flick the stinger up
and out with your fingernail, a pocket knife blade or
tweezers. If a venom sac is attached, don't squeeze it.
Wash the area around the sting with soap and water, and
apply ice or a cold towel. Calamine lotion, or a paste made
of water and either baking soda, meat tenderizer or—
if nothing else is available—mud will help soothe the
sting and prevent swelling. An oral antihistamine (Benadryl
is one brand) also can reduce itching. Aspirin or
acetaminophen can ease the pain. Elevate and rest the
affected area for an hour or more.
Normal reactions to an insect sting occur within four hours
and include soreness and itching, localized swelling and a
general redness around the sting. Many people, however, are
mildly to severely allergic to insect venom. Moderate
allergy symptoms include generalized hives, wheezing,
stomach pain, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Severe
allergic reactions include any of the preceding, plus
difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness or thickened speech,
weakness, confusion—and in extreme cases, shock, drop
in blood pressure, collapse and unconsciousness.
Most deaths from stings are caused by extreme allergic
reactions. But even a moderate allergic reaction is cause
to see a doctor as soon as possible. You may be becoming
more sensitive with each sting, and treatment by an
allergist may be required.
Wasps and You
When you learn the life cycle, habits and likely habitats
of wasps and combine that knowledge with common sense and
reasonable caution, you have a pretty good formula for
safety.
For example, since bald-faced and sandhill
hornets—and sometimes yellow jackets—build
their nests in brush or tall grass, it makes good sense to
stay away from such areas as much as possible during the
summer and early fall. Be especially careful, too, when
clearing overgrowth or working around logs or downed
trees—also likely nesting sites. When you're mowing
your lawn, keep an eye out for the telltale activity of
yellow jackets flying in and out of an entrance hole.
If you must be in an area that is likely wasp habitat,
avoid wearing bright-colored clothing, and don't use
strong-scented cosmetics. Both are believed to attract
insects, including wasps. Also, some entomologists claim
that wasps are especially active and aggressive on hot,
humid days. While this may or may not be true, it's a good
idea to do garden and yard work in the morning or early
evening, when temperatures—and perhaps wasp
tempers—are cooler.
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