What emotions do wasps evoke in you? Honestly, although I am no longer a child, they do not cause me positive emotions. And not so much because of the negative experience of contact with these insects, but because of the expectation of "dirty tricks" from them. The feeling of pain is always worse than the pain itself. Therefore, a wasp flying in a room already creates a tense atmosphere. They do not allow you to calmly enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with something sweet on the terrace. In general, only trouble is from them!
Fortunately, the wasp doesn't attack humans very often. Usually, the bite is preceded by the wrong or awkward actions of the victim himself, but this does not make it easier. After a wasp attack, some people may need serious medical attention.
Why are wasps dangerous?
If insects that suck blood, biting a person, just want to feed themselves, then the wasps in this way protect themselves or the entire colony. Therefore, it is important for them that the bite is as painful as possible and quickly suppresses all subsequent attempts of the aggressor to invade the territory of the colony.
For humans, like many pets, wasp bites can pose a serious danger, namely:
- lead to sharp pain, and then to itching and irritation;
- provoke the development of allergic reactions;
- for some time they can block the activity of nerve endings;
- in severe cases, lead to fever, increased heart rate, seizures and loss of consciousness.
Of course, the effects of a wasp sting can differ from person to person. Children, the elderly, women, people with diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous systems are at particular risk. The usual single bites in the arms and legs in healthy people are accompanied by swelling, itching, which disappear within a few hours and have no negative consequences. On the contrary, they train our immune system. But those who are allergic to some of the components of the poison can have quite serious problems.
First aid for wasp bites
What to do after a wasp sting depends on the body's response to the poison. As a rule, all actions are associated with the relief of unwanted symptoms. As a general rule, the wound must first be treated with antiseptics. Suitable for this are:
- hydrogen peroxide;
- alcohol (or, in extreme cases, alcohol-containing liquids);
- chlorhexidine.
If you do not have these antiseptics on hand (for example, in the forest), you can use soap or even plain water (preferably boiled). Cooling the wound with ice relieves pain well and prevents the spread of poison in the tissues. You should not immerse the bitten places in natural sources, so as not to contaminate the wound.
The attacked by wasp person is given a lot to drink and hidden from direct sunlight. People who are hypersensitive to wasp venom should take antihistamines. In case of an unfavorable development of the situation, the victim should be taken to a medical facility or called to the emergency department.
To relieve itching and swelling, it is good to apply a cloth soaked in cold baking soda solution (1 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water) to the bite site. Applying a chopped onion, garlic, tomato or apple will also help. And, of course, the universal plantain: grind a leaf until juice is obtained, place the crushed leaf on the second leaf and attach it to the bite site.
Neighborhood with wasps always carries a potentially dangerous threat, but knowing how to deal with them, you will always be fully armed. After accidental bites, you just need to be able to act correctly and then serious consequences can be avoided.
Be careful!