A wasp normally stings a person when it is in fear of being attacked or when its nest is disturbed. A sting usually results in mild irritation of the skin, soreness, itching, pain, inflammation or hives. The pain sets in immediately and the affected area may gradually swell up and cause great discomfort. This condition may last up to 12 hours on an average. In rare cases, a sting can be serious or even fatal. If a sting causes immense pain, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, headaches, chest tightness, lightheadedness, difficulty in breathing or swallowing, palpitations or cramps, you must seek immediate medical advice.
Washing the affected area with cold water and a mild antiseptic soap and then drying it gently with a towel, is one of the most effective first aid measures that a person can take. In the case of a wasp sting, removing the sting from the skin is essential. For this, rub the area with a coarse material, such as a towel, to help to dislodge the sting. Using a blunt butter knife on your skin in the direction opposite to that of the sting entry will remove the sting. Once the sting has been dislodged, place a cold compress on the skin for 15-20 minutes to reduce the inflammation and soreness. The cold compress also reduces the pain by making the region numb. For this, placing a few cubes of ice in a towel is sufficient. Avoid using ice directly on the skin as it may cause further damage to the skin.
Vinegar is a well-known remedy for treating wasp stings due to its acidic nature. Pressing a cotton swab soaked in apple cider vinegar against the area injured by the sting until the pain disappears is an effective home remedy as it counteracts the venom. A few drops of vinegar or lemon juice sprinkled on the wound will also neutralize the effect of the venom left behind by the sting. A paste of vinegar and baking soda, applied on the affected area is known to reduce the discomfort caused by wasp stings. Besides vinegar, there are a number of other natural remedies for wasp sting treatment. Rubbing olive oil on the area affected by the sting reduces the pain and quickens the healing process of the wound. Aloe vera gel applied liberally to the wound also assists the healing process. Applying crushed garlic or onion juice to the affected area gently helps to draw out the pain. A cucumber slice placed on the wound is also known to reduce the pain caused by a sting.