What to do when stung by a hornet: first aid, what to ointment with

A hornet sting is not uncommon in the summer. It not only causes discomfort to a person, but can also be extremely dangerous to health. It is especially dangerous for people prone to severe allergic reactions, for those who suffer from bronchial asthma, cardiac and vascular pathologies. It can lead to anaphylactic shock, which often ends in death. Therefore, it is important to know why a hornet sting is dangerous, how to distinguish it from other stings, and what to do if you still fail to protect yourself from a sting.

What to do if bitten by a hornet at home?

Each of us needs to know what to do if bitten by a hornet. Even at home, a person can be helped, which will significantly alleviate the condition and prevent complications and serious consequences.

Basically, the therapy is symptomatic, aimed at relieving the main symptoms of the pathology. Also, the treatment should be aimed at preventing the main consequences of the bite (primarily this concerns an allergic reaction, especially anaphylaxis), since the greatest danger is that anaphylactic shock can develop. Its consequences are extremely severe - a sharp attack, up to a fatal outcome, suffocation. [ 1 ]

In addition to stopping an allergic attack or reaction, further measures should be aimed at:

1. pain relief (if present, analgesics and painkillers are given)
2. preventing the penetration of infection into the bite site and the development of an inflammatory and infectious process (correct local treatment of the bite).
3. relief of itching, swelling, redness, and other reactions, both local and systemic.

Apply cold to the affected area. Give the victim an antiallergic pill, or inject it intramuscularly. Provide the patient with plenty of fluids and rest. After that, treat the affected area with various ointments. (It is better to choose anti-inflammatory or antiseptic ointments). You can also use various folk and homeopathic remedies.

The patient is advised to call an ambulance or consult a doctor if he has a tendency to allergic reactions. [ 2 ]

Actions when bitten by a hornet

Algorithm of actions in case of a hornet bite:

1. Give the person an antihistamine or give it an injection (suprastin, diazolin, tavegil, loratadine, etc.)
2. If a person has a tendency to allergic reactions, especially immediate ones, you should immediately call an ambulance. If the antiallergic drug does not help within 10 minutes, and the swelling increases, do not wait either - call an ambulance.
3. If there is pain, itching, burning, give a painkiller, anti-inflammatory drug (no-shpa, analgin, aspirin, etc.).
4. The bite site should be treated with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, and then with an anti-inflammatory ointment or an antibiotic ointment.
5. Apply a dry bandage.
6. See a doctor.

First aid for a hornet sting

It is necessary to clearly know the algorithm of actions in case of a hornet bite. First aid consists of preventing the rapid development of an allergic reaction. For this, the victim is given antiallergic (antihistamine) drugs. Anything that is in the house will do: suprastin, diazolin, loran, loratadine, agistam, and other drugs. For such an unforeseen case, you should always keep antiallergic drugs in the first aid kit, or take them with you on trips and hikes, especially in nature. A trip to the pharmacy in emergency cases can cost a person his life.

Intramuscular or intravenous administration of drugs will be more effective. They act much faster, penetrate the blood, and immediately show activity. In addition, they penetrate unchanged directly into the inflammation site, they do not need to be absorbed through the walls of the gastrointestinal tract. If the bite occurred in the mouth, throat, lip, eye, you need to inject antiallergic drugs. Since tablets may simply be ineffective (they will not have time to "get" to the site of inflammation in time). Drugs administered as an injection act almost instantly.

If there is pain, burning, it is necessary to stop the pain. Pain requires the introduction of painkillers into the body, and sometimes anti-inflammatory drugs. It is recommended to apply ointment to the bite site. Levomycetin ointment or any other ointment with an antibiotic, antipruritic or anti-inflammatory effect has proven itself well.

How to treat a hornet sting?

A hornet bite should be treated immediately. What to treat with? It is better to use wound-healing, anti-inflammatory agents. First, you need to disinfect, second, relieve swelling and inflammation. You can disinfect with regular alcohol, hydrogen peroxide. Then apply ointment. If you don’t have any ointments at hand and there is no pharmacy nearby, you can pick a plant with anti-inflammatory properties and treat the bite with it. For example, plantain, mint, coltsfoot, celandine, and other herbs will do.

If you have the opportunity to brew herbs, it is better to make a medicinal decoction from them. The most effective method of treatment is lotions, applications and compresses on the bite site. The duration of lotions is no more than 15 minutes. After removing the compress, it is not recommended to wipe the skin. Let it dry in the fresh air, or you can blot it a little with a dry cloth. Medicinal baths also help well.

You can also use pharmacy ointments that have anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effects. Ointments with antibiotics are also suitable.

Treatment

The first thing to do is to provide the person with emergency assistance and prevent an allergic reaction. In the case of a delayed-type reaction, a predominantly local reaction develops, in the form of swelling and redness. In this case, you need to take an antihistamine (suprastin, diazolin, loratodin, loran, etc.). But sometimes this is not enough. For example, in the case of an immediate-type reaction, emergency assistance is required: in case of anaphylactic shock, intravenous infusions of calcium chloride are given (10 ml of a 10% solution), and 2 ml of a 0.5% solution of novocaine and a 0.1% solution of adrenaline are administered at the site of the bite.

Further treatment is mainly etiological, local (aimed at relieving swelling, redness, inflammation). If necessary, painkillers are prescribed, for example, paracetamol, analgin, spazmolgon. The bite is treated locally.

How to relieve pain from a hornet sting?

If a hornet sting hurts a lot and you don’t know how to relieve the pain, it’s better not to self-medicate, but to see a doctor. Perhaps the cause is complications, for example, an inflammatory or infectious process is developing. Then special treatment is required. However, before consulting a doctor, you can always take a painkiller that will help alleviate the condition. [ 3 ]

• Analgin

Dosage: one tablet 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment is 7-10 days, depending on the severity of the pain.

Precautions: should not be taken by people with a tendency to bleeding, with hemophilia, in the postoperative period, or during preparation for a planned operation, with bleeding gums, or during menstruation.

Side effects: reduces blood clotting.

• Spazmalgon

Dosage: one tablet 1-2 times a day, on average 10 days.

Precautions: It is not recommended to take it for more than 10 days, as it can cause addiction and overdose.

Side effects: headache, nausea, vomiting.

• Ketorolac

Dosage: no more than 1-2 tablets per day.

Precautions: a strong narcotic drug, sold in many pharmacies only with a doctor's prescription. Take only as prescribed by a doctor, as a last resort, in case of unbearable pain and ineffectiveness of other means.

Side effects: nausea, vomiting, headache, kidney and liver problems, gastritis, ulcers, arrhythmia, hypertension, decreased vision, hearing, hallucinations, intoxication.

Antidote for a hornet sting

There is no specific antidote for a hornet sting. However, atropine is considered a non-specific antidote, which is administered in severe cases, with the development of anaphylactic shock - 1 ml intramuscularly, every hour. If ineffective, add 1-2 ml of 0.1% adrenaline solution to the bite site. [ 4 ]

Hornet Sting Remedies

Antiallergic agents.

• Loratadine

Dosage: 1 tablet per day. The duration of its action and persistence in the blood is 24 hours.

Mechanism of action: relieves swelling, itching, irritation, prevents allergic reactions, reduces the level of histamine in the blood.

Precautions: Take immediately after the bite, do not wait until the condition worsens.

Side effects include drowsiness, decreased concentration, and rarely nausea.

• Diphenhydramine

Dosage: in the form of injections (1-2 ml of the drug is administered intramuscularly).

Mechanism of action: relieves allergies, prevents the development of suffocation and anaphylactic shock.

Precautions: Do not combine with alcohol.

Side effects: increased heart rate may occur.

• Tavegil

Dosage: one tablet 1-2 times a day.

Mechanism of action: eliminates inflammation and allergies, has the ability to relax the bronchial muscles, smooth muscles, and, accordingly, eliminates spasms.

Precautions: individual intolerance is possible.

Side effects: increased drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, headaches. Sometimes skin rashes and swelling appear.

• Euphyllin

Dosage: recommended one tablet per day, or by injection (1-3 ml, depending on body weight, intramuscularly).

Side effects include abdominal pain, diarrhea, palpitations, chills, and heart rhythm disturbances.

Precautions: Use with caution in people with cardiovascular diseases.

What to apply to a hornet sting?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are mainly used: ibuprofen gel, diclofenac, voltaren, orthofen, nurofen, brufen, indomethacin, metindol and others. They are applied in a thin layer directly to the bite site and thoroughly rubbed into the skin. [ 5 ]

Folk remedies

To relieve inflammation, itching, swelling, and eliminate the effects of a hornet sting, you can also use folk remedies. Oils that can be applied directly to the bite site or used for compresses or applications are especially effective. They can be added to water for medicinal baths. Many oils can be purchased ready-made at the pharmacy. Or you can make them yourself. Incense, cleansing, toning, and soothing oils are ideal.

Frankincense oil is prepared on the basis of frankincense, extract of eleutherococcus, motherwort, horehound and oregano. Relieves itching, has a calming, anti-inflammatory effect. Positively affects the body as a whole, stimulating the immune system, normalizing the hormonal background.

The cleansing oil is based on extracts of pine, wild rosemary, thyme and sage. They relieve inflammation, itching, swelling, restore the skin, rejuvenate, and promote the resorption of seals.

Tonic oil is prepared from juniper, golden root of eleutherococcus, wild rosemary, pine and other components. It is aimed at a speedy recovery, relief of inflammation and allergies, and prevents the development of infection.

Soothing oil eliminates burning, itching, irritation, redness. Consists of motherwort, mint, oregano, horehound, thyme, valerian, and other components. Affects the body as a whole - normalizes body temperature, eliminates symptoms of intoxication, relaxes muscles.

Herbal treatment

Herbs work well as decoctions, infusions, and are recommended for internal use. Herbal treatment perfectly complements local therapy, relieving inflammation, allergies, eliminating swelling, and increasing immunity. Recovery always occurs much faster when taking herbs.

Chamomile is recommended to relieve inflammation and prevent infection. Make a decoction of about 2 tablespoons of chamomile flowers per glass of boiling water. Drink throughout the day.

Linden is also used as a decoction. It can be drunk in unlimited quantities, like tea. You can add honey and sugar to taste. It is used for fever, chills, and symptoms of intoxication.

Rose has a calming, anti-allergic effect. It is recommended in the form of a water infusion - about 2-3 tablespoons of petals are poured with warm water (not boiling water!). Infuse for 30-40 minutes, drink a third of a glass three times a day for itching, burning in the area of the bite. For swelling and redness.