Be alert for signs of anaphylaxis see Severe allergic reactions above. Prolonged swelling at the site of the sting may respond to antihistamines — see your pharmacist for further advice. First aid if allergic to wasp venom Your doctor may advise you to carry self-injectable adrenalin for example, EpiPen if you have previously been stung by wasps.
First aid suggestions include: Call immediately for an ambulance. If breathing stops, begin resuscitation immediately. Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage over the site to restrict the spread of venom.
Avoid all unnecessary movement. Application of a pressure immobilisation bandage This technique is only for use in the instance of a severe allergic reaction to these stings. If the sting is not on a limb, firm direct pressure over the site may be beneficial. Otherwise, apply a firm broad bandage over the site, wrapping away from the heart. Wrap firmly but not tight.
Splint the limb, including the joint above and below the sting if possible. Do not remove splint once it has been applied. Keep the person as still as possible. Bring transport to the person if at all possible. Do not use a tourniquet. How to locate the nest It is strongly recommended that you hire a licensed pest control operator to destroy any wasp nests on your property.
Suggestions on how to locate the nest include: The European wasp may forage for food up to half a kilometre away from its nest. You might need to seek the cooperation of your neighbours. Place food preferably meat in a visible outdoor location. Once it has located the food source, the wasp will fly virtually in a straight line back to its nest. If necessary, keep relocating the food source until you see the wasp fly into its nest.
Nests are usually built in sheltered locations. Typical nest locations can include under the ground and within retaining walls, tree hollows and holes in walls. Precautions against the European wasp You can reduce the population of European wasps around your home and reduce the risk of stings in a number of ways. Pick up any fallen fruit. Ensure that your outdoor rubbish bins have tight-fitting lids.
Cover compost bins. Cover food during a barbecue or picnic. If you see a European wasp, leave it alone — it will only attack if provoked. Where to get help In cases of severe allergic reaction, call triple zero Hospital emergency department Victorian Poisons Information Centre Tel.
Bee, wasp and hornet stings can be extremely painful. You know that. For some people, they can even trigger allergic reactions that can be life-threatening if not treated properly. But beyond the symptoms — the initial searing pain, the swelling and the lingering discomfort — how do these stings actually work? The answer to this question is as complicated as the insects themselves. Bees and wasps belong to the order Hymenoptera , which means they're related to ants.
Like their cousins, bees and wasps are social creatures that live in large colonies. Each bee and wasp has a specific role within the colony. Some bees and wasps are assigned the duty of defending the colony.
When threatened by a predator, these bees and wasps spring into action. Some carnivorous wasps also use their stingers to paralyze their prey. All stinging bees and wasps are females. While males drones may behave aggressively, they are not equipped with stingers, which are actually modified ovipositors egg-laying organs. To drive away predators, bees and wasps deliver venom through their stingers.
Wasp venom also contains traces of acetylcholine , another chemical that stimulates pain receptors. This attack on the nervous system is experienced as a combination of burning and itching.
These histamines mobilize the immune system against what it interprets to be foreign invaders, causing inflammation. This is especially true if the individual who has been stung experiences an allergic reaction in response to the sting. In fact, our bodies can react in different ways, ranging from a mild skin rash to severe swelling, and even anaphylactic shock.
Wasps are most likely to sting people towards the end of the summer season. This is mainly because of the way their colonies develop and function at that period.
They begin their preparation for winter hibernation, so the wasp nest slowly begins to die off and stops producing worker wasps. The remaining workers feel disoriented by the change and no longer have the abundance of food which they had during the summertime. All of this forces them to scout for nutrients. Strong scents of varying origin attract the insects and open windows invite them into our homes.
A hungry wasp will even be happy to visit the rubbish bin. Another reason why wasp sting people is because of their protective nature towards their nests.
Unlike bees who are easily harmed when stinging, wasps can sting you multiple times without any negative consequences for them apart from the increased risk of being swatted. There are many home remedies that are believed to be helpful with wasp stings, vinegar is just a single example. But the fact is, none of these do-it-yourself solutions has been scientifically proven to provide long-lasting relief.
Placing an ice pack on the sting will alleviate your pain and decrease the swelling. You should also avoid scratching the area as it may increase both itching and swelling, and read more about wasp sting relieving methods. A small percentage of people, however, may develop hypersensitivity after being stung. This can happen after a single sting or as a result of a series of stings where the body reacted normally. This sensitisation will promote a more severe reaction next time that person gets stung and may even present itself as an anaphylactic shock.
They advance slower than general reactions and can take up to several hours to develop. Localised reactions vary in their size and can affect a small portion of the skin or an entire limb. A general reaction will impact areas of the body besides that of the bite; the severity of the reaction and its symptoms varies with people.
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