Who doesn’t love a nice picnic outside as the weather warms up? Unfortunately, wasps love summer weather just as much as humans do. Wasps, like their bee brethren, have a painful sting they deploy when they feel threatened. The perceived threat could be a human swatting at them, an animal running towards them, or being scared at your presence. Stings are rarely harmful but almost always painful if not treated quickly. So what do you do if you find yourself on the receiving end of a wasp sting? Read more to find out!
Understanding Wasp Stings
To understand what to do with a wasp sting, you should understand why a wasp would sting. Wasps are unlike bees in that they’re actively aggressive. Wasps will attack on both offense and defense whenever they feel threatened. This threat could be just about anything – including if you’re in their space! When a wasp stings you, the very end of its stinger punctures your skin and leaves a small amount of venom behind. This venom irritates the skin and can cause allergic reactions. It’s essential to note wasps can sting multiple times, so if you suspect you have a wasp infestation, you should take care of it as soon as possible!
Are Wasp Stings Serious?
The answer to ‘are wasp stings serious’ is both yes and no. While it’s rare for a wasp sting to injure a human seriously, it still can cause severe damage if the person stung is allergic to the venom. Wasps deposit a small amount of venom inside a puncture wound with each sting. The puncture itself can become infected if left untreated, and the toxin can pose a problem to those allergic to it. The severity of each sting varies from person to person.
What Happens If A Wasp Stings You
Even if you don’t have a severe allergy to wasp venom, a sting isn’t something to be trifled with. Even minor stings tend to swell up around the puncture site. The puncture itself may bleed, but that doesn’t always happen. The affected area will almost certainly be very itchy, and scratching it may cause the site to bleed even more. A mild allergic reaction will include hives or redness around the area, and some people may even experience dizziness. Severe allergic reactions should be handled immediately by a medical professional, not using a DIY remedy. These symptoms include shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, or severe swelling of the hands and throat.
How to Handle Wasp Stings
If you’re one of the lucky ones not severely affected by wasp stings, you can easily handle them at home. Clean the sting spot with antiseptic soap and water to try to dilute the venom. Apply ice until the swelling and itching goes down, and then bandage as if it was any other minor wound. If the area continues itching, feel free to use a gentle anti-itch lotion like calamine lotion. After you’ve cared for the injury, care for the source! Don’t be stuck in a wasp den. Give Dr. Death Pest Control a call for all your wasp needs!
For more common pest and other related pest tips, please contact Dr. Death Pest Control.