Most honeybees have a poison sac with a stinger attached. When a person gets stung or bitten by a honeybee, they leave the stinger and poison sac inside the wound. Wasps also have a stinger although, when a person is bitten by a wasp, the stinger is not left behind. They can sting a person many times and the bite wounds that occur as a result of the stings can become extremely infected. While most wasp bite wounds are uncomfortable and somewhat painful, some people get severe allergic reactions to these bites that can cause major physical problems and sometimes even death. When a person is bitten multiple times by a wasp in the head and neck area, more serious effects can occur and can also result in death.
It is important to know the symptoms of this type of bite before applying first aid for wasp bites. Some of the most common symptoms include swelling, redness at the bite wound, and sometimes difficulty breathing. If these symptoms get worse it is imperative to either call a physician or go to the hospital as soon as possible. A normal reaction to a wasp bite can be seen within several minutes; usually this will show in the form of a small reddish area that, as time goes on, will begin to look like a reddish and whitish color. Usually a normal reaction will go away within a few hours. Those that are most susceptible to complications from wasp bites are diabetics, heart patients, people with allergies, children under three years of age, and the elderly. Specific signs of a wasp bite that may indicate an allergic reaction include wheezing, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, dizziness, severe swelling, hoarseness, blue discoloration in the person’s lips, and tightness in the chest. If any of these symptoms should occur, the person who was bit must consult a physician or go to the emergency room immediately.
The procedure for first aid for wasp bites is rather simple and can be done by anyone available at the time of the bite. The first thing you should is wash the bite thoroughly with soap and water. Next, place a cold compress or an ice pack on the wound to decrease the swelling for 15 minutes on and 15 off; do not put ice directly against the skin. The next step is to elevate the area that was infected by the wasp bite and allow it to rest to reduce any swelling. If the person who was bit has not received a tetanus shot within the past five to seven years, call a doctor immediately. After these initial immediate first aid steps are taken, it is imperative that the infected wounded area be closely watched for several days. During this time pay close attention to any of the following symptoms increasing in severity: persistent swelling, an increase in pain, flu-like symptoms, or high fever. If these symptoms should occur after the bite was treated contact a physician immediately.
First aid for wasp bites is a simple procedure but taking a First Aid Course would be the best way to learn how to be able to help someone in a situation like this. The difficult part is being aware of any severe symptoms and what should be done if these symptoms get worse, especially if the infected person has allergies to wasp bites. Following these first aid steps will help prevent possible severe side effects from occurring.