Wasp sting: How to prevent and treat?

Today we will talk a little more about wasp stings and how we can avoid getting stung and also how to treat it if we are stung by them.

Have you ever been bitten by an insect before? It's a very bad feeling and often we don't know how to deal with it and we don't even know for sure what to do to get rid of the pain of the bite or even if it's poisonous or not, right?

And it is always important to pay attention when this happens, because it is important to know what bit us and whether that bite requires a visit to the doctor or if it is just a passing pain.

And there are different types of insects that can cause bites, and all of them can bring different pain and different attention to the bite.

In today's text we will talk a little about wasp stings, because despite being a very common name for us Brazilians, it is often something that leaves us with doubts about what they really are and what they can cause.

We will also talk about how we can prevent ourselves from being bitten by them and if there is any form of treatment after we are bitten, after all, we are not immune even if we take all the precautions.

What is a wasp?

As we said above, the word wasp is something common to all of us, and many people know what it actually means, while others end up using the name without knowing what it really is and get confused when they see a real one.

Whenever you get stung, it is important to be able to identify what caused the sting so that you can treat it appropriately and not end up making the sting worse.

The hornet belongs to the family of wasps, better known as solitary wasps that can make their nests in the most different ways possible, the most common being taking caterpillars to their nests to feed their larvae.

Scientifically speaking, this species is called Hymenoptera, and all that are not bees or ants are called wasps in more popular terms.

Most wasps are considered social hornets, meaning they work in groups and those that do not belong to this group are solitary.

And all social wasps work in castes, that is, they have their family, but there are the most important and least important, in a kind of levels, as is done in almost the entire animal kingdom.

Families are made up of the queen, workers and males, and only the queen wasp can sting, as she is the only one with the presence of the canal that releases the egg and it is through there that the sting is made.

How to prevent wasp stings?

And of course, for every type of insect bite there are ways to prevent the bite and get rid of a very intense and annoying pain, and we will tell you about some of these ways and precautions that we should take to avoid it.

Avoiding insect bites is extremely important, as there are people who are allergic to some bites and may not even know it and a bite can be fatal, so the following tips are very important.

Use repellent

The first way to prevent a bite (not just from wasps, but from all other types of insects) is to use repellent, especially one that has between 20% and 30% of DEET, which is diethyltoluamide present in the product.

Applying repellent to all exposed skin is a way to keep insects away, as DEET repels all types of insects that cannot get close to your skin.

You can apply it more than once a day if you are going to be outside for a long time and if you are going to use sunscreen, you can apply the repellent first and it will work perfectly.

Wear long-sleeved clothing

A simpler way to avoid insect bites is to wear long-sleeved clothing, because if the skin is not exposed there is no way for the insect to come into contact with it, so it is always a simple and good option.

Choose thicker sweaters when going to places where there are more insects, such as trails, waterfalls and farms.

Wear closed shoes

Wearing closed shoes can also help a lot when you are on the street or at work, as the insect cannot get close to your skin and therefore will not be able to bite you.

Also wear long pants and closed shoes, eliminating the chances of the wasp getting close to your skin.

Never disturb insect nests

Although it may seem obvious, it is always important to remember to never disturb the nests of any type of insect, as this can cause their fury and their natural instinct will make them attack you.

If a nest appears in your home and turns into a wasp hive, ask a specialist to remove it, as otherwise it could cause you more problems than necessary.

How to treat a wasp sting?

But if you've done all of this and still been stung by a wasp, there are a few ways to treat the sting.

Wash with soap and water

The first step is to wash the bite with soap and water, preventing microorganisms from entering the bite and causing complications for your bite.

Wash very gently and use plenty of soap, preferably a neutral one to prevent skin irritation.

Make a cold compress

Another natural way to treat the bite at home is to make a compress with ice water.

Soak the cloth in very cold water, then squeeze out the excess water and place it on the bite and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. You can also put ice cubes in the cloth and place it on the bite. This will help reduce swelling and relieve pain.

Use antihistamine ointment

Using anti-histamine ointments, better known as anti-allergy ointments, is an excellent option for treating insect bites, as they help reduce swelling, relieve pain and itching, and also help rebuild the skin to close the bite.

See a doctor

And if you have done all of the above and still feel pain or discomfort at the site of the bite, it is important that you see a doctor so that he can help you and examine you, giving you the correct medication and all the procedures for you to follow.

Did you like today's content? Then take the opportunity to read it too Bathroom mosquitoes: find out why they appear and how to prevent them