Everyone is confronted at one time or another with an insect bite. The lesion is painful and the symptoms are sometimes impressive. Against wasp stings, natural and easy-to-reach solutions exist, such as vinegar. Is it really effective? Which natural remedies or not to use on a wasp sting?
Wasp sting: the first reflexes
Before you want to apply a product to the wasp sting, you must take the right steps:
- Remove rings and jewelry depending on the stitched area;
- Disinfect the lesion with a disinfectant solution or soapy water;
- Check if the vaccine against tetanus is up to date;
- Take some paracetamol in case of pain;
If 24 hours after the bite the lesion is very red, swollen and painful, consult the attending physician.
Wasp sting: when to consult urgently?
In some cases, it is necessary to contact 112 or 15:
- Multiple bites;
- Sting in the mouthin the throat or in the eye;
- In case of allergic reaction. If an allergy to Hymenoptera venom is known, the person should always be equipped with a self-injecting adrenaline pen.
Put vinegar on a wasp sting
Vinegar is known for relieve tingling and burning sensations caused by nettles. For Doctor Jean-Pierre Mercier, general practitioner, “vinegar can work, but we don’t know how effective it is on wasp stings.” Vinegar is a natural antibacterial and has anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, applying white vinegar or cider vinegar to a wasp sting limits the local reaction. Soaking the lesion and then dabbing it can also neutralize the pain of a sting. However, no scientific study has provided evidence on the effectiveness of vinegar on a bite. It is therefore a grandmother’s remedy with limited and uncertain action.
Ice, a natural solution for wasp stings
Ice is a effective natural solution on a wasp sting. Cold soothes pain with an anesthetic effect. Applying an ice pack helps to reduce the skin edema sometimes caused after an insect bite. The cold also limits burning sensations and soothes any itching caused by venom.
ointments
Having an ointment in your first aid kit for insect bites can be a great help in quickly relieving pain. As a reminder, it is always necessary to disinfect the wound before applying ointment. “The ideal is to have a cortisone ointment which helps to soothe the pain and limit the swelling as well as the inflammatory reaction. It can also be a crth antihistamine to relieve possible itching.” Using a pharmaceutical ointment is often preferable to vinegar for treating a wasp sting. Depending on one’s skin sensitivity, vinegar can be irritating, exacerbating the symptoms of the sting.
Use a venom sucker
“One of the good reflexes to have in the event of a wasp sting is to use an aspi-venom, even if we do not always have it on us”, says Doctor Mercier. It is to highlight that only the bee leaves its stinger when it stings. The absence of a sting therefore means that it is a wasp, hornet or bumblebee sting. “Above all, you should avoid scratching the stinger or removing it with tweezers. You risk compressing the venom gland, releasing even more venom and worsening symptoms.“To stop the flow of toxins, the bee stinger should be removed as soon as possible. It is then necessary scrape the bitten area with a blunt object, like a butter knife or a credit card. Then apply a cold water compress, disinfect the lesion then put a pharmaceutical cream if necessary.
Thanks to doctor Jean-Pierre Mercier, general practitioner.