Wasp Stings...

[Chipchopper]

Sitting watching the TV last night, when a wasp crawled up my trouser leg and stung me several times, on the shin and calf.
The pain was excruciating for about 20 minutes and was still painful and throbbing for 3 hours after!

So, I'm looking for a quick and effective way to treat any future stings, please.

[ladybirder]

Squish wasp before it has chance to bite;-))

[Sqad]

Immediately put a pack of frozen peas on the sting or ice cubes and take an antihistamine tablet. if it IS a wasp remove the sting with tweezers.

[ladybirder]

That's really useful sqad thanks. I shall C&P that into my Medical file.
Oops I only have frozen beans, will they be OK?

[Sqad]

^^^ LOL...watch the nasty side effect of beans.......;-)

[Chipchopper]

Sqad, Yes it was a wasp, but I thought it was bees that left the sting in ?

[Sqad]

Ah!............(thinking quickly).........Yes!............some wasps, the Bee wasp, can leave a .......(he will never swallow that)......or is the Wasp Bee..

You are quite correct Chipchopper.......my mistake and you are correct.

[Cloverjo]

I remember being stung by a wasp on a day out as a child, and my dad went off in search of vinegar. I can't remember if it helped or not. Might be worth a try if it happens again.

[rsvp]

Vinegar for wasp stings and they don't leave their sting in.
Bi-carb/baking powder for bee stings and they do leave a sting then die (serves 'um right) remove sting by sweeping across the sting with something like a credit card don't squeeze it as more venom may be injected.

[ladybirder]

Pity it's not the wasps that die rather than our lovely bees.

[rsvp]

Couldn't agree more ladybirder.

[Chipchopper]

Well, this wasp didn't live for long, after stinging me!
The stings flared up again today, so I bought some anti histamine tablets and cream, cost £11.00, so you could say I got stung twice!

[TTG]

I'd advise against killing a wasp (tempting though it is). When attacked, they release a pheremone that could attract other wasps from the same colony.

[DaisyNonna]

Slice of raw onion applied to site of sting

[Chipchopper]

I don't think it lived long enough to send out for reinforcements.

[DaisyNonna]

An onion might be cheaper Chip, believe me it does work

[ladybirder]

My dog is going to get stung soon. He sits in the garden and snaps at them as they fly by and then eats them.
I wonder if the treatment is the same for dogs as humans?

[rsvp]

Ladybirder I asked my vet about this as Mac does exactly the same thing - he checked out the anti hist. I take which is Loratadine and it's okay for woofie to have one should he get stung. Mac weighs 20 kg. I beleive, but have no veterinery confirmation, that you can use Piriton instead, however, do not use Piriteze as it has an added ingredient dangerous to dogs. Can't remember exactly what but it begins with 'cete' I think.

[ladybirder]

Thanks rsvp that's interesting and I'll bear it in mind. We're due at the vets in a couple of weeks so I'll mention it while we're there.
I wish I could teach him to snap only at the flies and certainly not bees!

[Chipchopper]

Still swollen and imflaimed.
Thank you to all who gave helpful answers.

[Sqad]

O.K early days.........what cream are you using?

Nip to the pharmacist and buy some hydrocortisone cream 1% or 5%. and apply 3 times daily.