Every adult should know not only how to remove swelling from a wasp sting, but also in which cases urgent medical attention is needed. Indeed, almost every person at least once had the opportunity to experience the sensations that arise when a wasp stings. The poison of this insect causes burning pain and swelling of the tissues, which can persist from several hours to several days. In some cases, poison can cause the development of severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylactic shock or Quincke's edema.. According to medical statistics, 1-2% of victims die from stinging wasps.

Wasps often sting people, so you need to know how to protect yourself from it and what to do if it does happen. Action of poison OS Os poison poison contains many different biologically active substances. Of the greatest importance to the human body are the following of them:.

Name.

Mechanism of action.

Acetylcholine.

In large quantities, it blocks the transmission of nerve impulses from nerve endings to muscle cells, as a result of which the latter cannot fully contract.

Histamine.

One of the main mediators of allergies. It is its effect that leads to the appearance of redness of the skin at the site of the lesion, itching, swelling.

Phospholipase and Hyaluronidase.

They lead to the destruction of cell membranes, activate the launch of the inflammatory process.

Serotonin.

Provokes a strong spasm of small blood vessels in the wound area.

Mastoparan peptide.

Under its influence, a rapid and significant increase in the concentration of histamine in the wound area occurs..

Neurotoxin.

When entering the bloodstream, it causes a change in the level of blood pressure, provokes the development of an asthma attack.

Hyperglycemic factor.

It causes an increase in blood glucose.

Wasp venom in its composition belongs to the category of neuroparalytic poisons. At the time of stinging, a person feels very severe pain, the occurrence of which is associated with the action of serotonin and acetylcholine. It is these biologically active substances that cause a sharp spasm of blood vessels with the development of tissue ischemia (ischemic pain). After a few minutes, the vessels expand, and the permeability of their walls increases, which leads to the appearance of edema and redness.

When a wasp stings in the human body, antibodies to wasp venom are produced. With repeated stings, poison allergens come in contact with these antibodies, that is, the antigen-antibody reaction develops. It leads to damage to the membranes of basophils and mast cells, which is accompanied by a significant influx of serotonin, histamine, and other allergy mediators into the bloodstream.. All this also triggers the development of an immediate type of allergic reaction..

Symptoms Depending on the amount of poison injected and the person's resistance to it, several options for clinical manifestations of stinging wasps are distinguished:.

Type of reaction.

Symptoms.

Localized (local) reaction.

The soft tissue area at the site of the bite begins to swell and hurt. The diameter of the edema does not exceed 10 cm. System-wide symptoms are absent, and local persist until 24 hours. Localized reactions are usually observed in children..

Mild systemic reaction.

Swelling extends to tissue distant from the bite. Significantly expressed. This type of reaction is usually observed with multiple bites or bites in the head, neck.

Severe systemic reaction (anaphylaxis).

It develops very quickly, in just a few minutes from the moment of stinging. Its symptoms are:.

• rapidly increasing swelling of the face and neck;

• labored breathing;

• \;

• hyperemia of the skin;

• nausea, vomiting;

• stomach ache;

• impaired consciousness from agitation to coma.

First aid for wasps bites In order to minimize pain and swelling after wasp stinging, it is necessary:.

Inspect the bite site. A wasp, unlike a bee, usually does not leave a sting in the wound. But if it remains, then it should be removed using clean and disinfected with ethanol tweezers. This will prevent further ingestion of poison into the body..

Treat the sting site with a cotton swab moistened with plenty in any disinfecting solution (ethyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide).

Attach a piece of ice to the bite site. In the absence of ice, you can apply a cloth moistened with cold water. This procedure will reduce pain and stop the spread of edema..

With significant edema, you can give an adult affected person one tablet of any antihistamine (Zodak, Tavegil). For children, the dosage is reduced according to age.

Impose a tourniquet. With bites in the arm or leg and the rapid spread of the tumor on the limb, a tourniquet can be applied (hold no more than 20 minutes). This will slow down the absorption rate of the poison..

Give a tablet of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (only as directed by a doctor).

To reduce the manifestations of intoxication, the victim needs a plentiful drink (mineral water without gas, fruit drinks, compote, warm tea).

If a severe systemic reaction develops, the victim should immediately call an ambulance. Before the arrival of medical workers, the patient is laid on a flat surface and his head is turned to one side.. Provide fresh air to it.

Many people suffering from allergic manifestations always have special devices for injecting epinephrine or adrenaline.. If such a device is at hand, then with signs of anaphylaxis, an adrenaline injection is made with it..

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