Wasp Sting Treatment
A Quick Guide to Wasp Sting Treatment
Normal wasp sting treatment is not unlike treating a minor scratch or wound, since most of the time being stung by a wasp is not dangerous. Even though wasp stings are said to be one of the most likely insect stings to cause problems, serious or deadly results are extremely rare.
Receiving proper wasp sting treatment is vital when a person who is stung by a wasp experiences a severe allergic reaction to the wasp’s venom. That means calling 911 and getting medical attention immediately in extreme cases. The worst situations will be evident right after the sting, because the victim will exhibit intense breathing problems, acute swelling and may even lose consciousness.
Other symptoms of a serious allergic reaction caused by a wasp sting include low blood pressure, extreme swelling – especially in the mouth and throat area, and great difficulty breathing. Severe effects are most common in people who have already experienced some type of allergic reaction to a wasp sting or other insect bite, but they can also appear in someone who has never had an allergy in the past.
Often times an allergic reaction will be more moderate. While the symptoms are not life threatening, they still require medical attention as quickly as possible. A person with this level of allergic response will likely be having difficulty catching their breath or have shortness of breath, along with a rash spreading from the area around the sting to other parts of the body. Treatment will usually be in the form of an injection of antihistamine, steroids or epinephrine.
Mild allergic reactions to wasp stings generally involve a slight rash and some itching around the wound. There should be no problems breathing, and wasp sting treatment for this type of injury is generally not urgent. Usually an oral antihistamine is given to calm the itching, and a steroid or epinephrine is used to treat swelling or a persistent rash. Pain or discomfort is treated with an over-the-counter pain medicine.
The average person will have no allergic reaction whatsoever to a wasp sting. The most common symptoms the victim will notice are redness around the area of the sting area and some irritation or minor itching. There could also be a bit of pain, which can be treated with whatever over-the-counter pain medicine is normally taken. If the itching persists, an oral antihistamine like Benadryl may be helpful.
Sometimes the wasp will leave the stinger in their victim, so always try and remove the stinger from the wound as soon as possible. If the stinger is not easily visible at the time of the sting due to swelling, it will usually pop out as the swelling goes down. In very rare cases, a stinger left in the wound can cause bacterial infection. Even if the stinger cannot be removed manually, the body will usually expel it on its own within a fairly short time.