Hornet Sting – How to Cure Them With Home Remedies?

Hornet Sting

The largest members of the wasp family are Hornets. The size of queens can reach up to 35mm, and unlike the yellowjacket, they are round and fat. Many people confuse hornets, with yellowjackets as they look almost similar. Generally, hornets use stings to kill prey and defend nests. Hornet sting is more venomous compared to any other type of wasps because the venom is contained with a large amount of acetylcholine.

Unlike honey bees, after stinging hornets don’t die, instead, they can sting repeatedly. They do not need to disengage the sting from the body because the sting is finely barbed and it can be withdrawn easily. There are many types of hornet can be seen around the world; some are very dangerous; some are not dangerous. The types of hornets are:

Types of Hornets

There are five types of hornet can be seen around the world such as Asian hornet, European hornet, Asian Giant Hornet, Oriental hornet, Vespa simillima.

1. Asian Hornet

Asian hornet is a type of hornet that can be seen in Southeast Asia. It is also known as a yellow-legged hornet. One sting of an Asian hornet cannot kill a human but its venom can kill a human if an Asian hornet starts to sting simultaneously. Identifying an Asian hornet can be very hard from other types, but it is not impossible. They can be identified by velvety dark or dark brown midbody, Yellow or orange face with a blackhead, brown upper leg and yellow lower segment, brown color segments on the end part of the body bordered with too narrow yellow bands. The average size of an Asian Hornet is 20mm.

2. European Hornet

European hornets can be seen in North America and other parts of Europe. The string of a European hornet can cause 24 hours swelling, and the venom can cause allergies. They are attached to light and known for repeatedly banging at night. European hornet sting is not as dangerous as Asian hornet. Even they are less dangerous than a bee sting. Europeans hornets are very active at night, unlike wasp, bee and other insects that sting. The average size of a European hornet can reach up to 25mm in length. There are some researchers who claim that despite their fearsome appearance, they are not so aggressive.

3. Asian Giant Hornet

This type of hornets are the most dangerous hornet that can be found in many places across Asia, mostly in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal. Some of the best travel destinations in Asia is the home of Asian Giant Hornet. This type of hornets is very aggressive, and they came into a headline in 2013 when 42 people were killed in rural southwestern china by a swarm of Asian Giant Hornet. One of these individual hornets can leave someone with kidney damage and wounds with their stings, which can last a lifetime.

4. Oriental Hornets

This type of hornet can be seen in Northeast Africa, Island of Madagascar and Northeast Africa. This type of hornet can be very dangerous for humans. If one individual hornet of this type is killed near the nest, the whole nest can be triggered and come to attack as upon killing, they sent a distress signal (a pheromone). This type of hornets is very active in the middle of the day. Oriental hornets can turn solar energy into electrical energy by using their pigments in the cuticle.

5. Bald face hornets

Bald-faced hornet stings can be very dangerous. They are not common, but they can be very aggressive.

Home Remedies for Hornet Sting

Many home remedies can be done in case of a hornet sting. The pain and swelling can be reduced, but it varies to a different person and different types of stings. Some of the common remedies that are used in hornet stings are:

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Oils – Many types of oil contain anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiseptic characteristics. Some of the oils that can be used for home remedies are:

  • Rosemary oil
  • Lavender oil
  • Witch hazel
  • Tea tree oil
  • Thyme oil

But allergic reactions can be caused by some of the essential oils.

1. Honey

Honey contains many properties that can be used as medical reasons. It can reduce swelling and inflammation by some compound it contains. Also, besides honey can speed up the process of healing and prevent the infection with the natural antibacterial agents. There are many cases where honey is used in wound dressing. But applying honey in outdoor can cause problems as they can attract more bees and hornets.

2. Toothpaste

Venom can be neutralized with the use of alkaline toothpaste. Applying a small amount of toothpaste on the site of a string can be very helpful, but using toothpaste on the skin can be a risk. Rinse the toothpaste right away with any reaction.

3. Apple cider vinegar

The acids in the apple cider vinegar can help reduce pain. Soak a small cotton piece with apple cider and place it in the site of the sting until the pain goes away.

4. Ice

After a sting of hornet, clear any remaining venom in the area by wash. Then ice can help with the pain and swelling in this steps, Use a pack of ice or cloth wrapped frozen vegetable place it at the area of the sting, hold the pack for some minute and repeat. But using ice can harm the skin so using cloth is very important.

5. Aloe Vera gel

Aloe Vera is used in many treatments, and it is an essential part of every skin related product on moisturizing. It can help reduce the pain and swelling as well as the infection from the spreading because it contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Baking Soda – Baking Soda is used in many other cases then cooking. It is also very useful to apply on the site of the sting as it can reduce the immediate pain and discomfort of the sting. However, the reason behind this is still unknown, and excessive use of baking soda on the skin can be harmful.

6. Calamine lotion

After a hornet sting, the site of the sting can get very itchy, and itching can cause more pain, redness, and infection. Rubbing calamine lotion on the skin can reduce the itching in the area and reduce the pain.

7. Garlic

Garlic can be used to get relief from pain. To use garlic, it needs to be crushed. Gently applying the garlic juice in the site of the sting can reduce pain.

8. Cucumber

Help to deal with the wrinkles, the cucumber is often used. Rubbing a piece of cucumber to the site of hornet sting can reduce pain. Cucumber has a chemical that constricts the body tissue and also provides cool in the area.

9. Lemon

Lemon got several usable ingredients in it. Slicing a piece of lemon and holding it to the affected area of the sting can cause relief from pain.

10. Vinegar

Just like apple cider vinegar normal vinegar is also can be used in hornet stings. A few drops of vinegar in a cotton piece and applying it in the sting site can be very helpful. Alternatively, a cotton swab can also be used.

11. Salt

Many people do not know that applying a thick paste of salt and water can help the sting area very effectively.

12. Lemon Juice

Much like lemon, juice of the lemon is also a very effective home remedy for hornet stings. Juice from squeezed lemon or bottled lemon juice both can be used to get relief from the pain of stings.

13. Onion

Another cooking ingredient that can be used to get complete relief from pain is an onion. Applying a slice of onion on the affected area can greatly reduce pain, pressing gently on the skin can make the pain disappear.

Hornet sting can cause some people to have an allergic reaction, which can develop into anaphylaxis. It is a life-threatening disease and can be very risky if not treated immediately. It causes when the immune system overreacts to a substance that causes allergic reactions. Chemicals released by the immune system can cause many allergy symptoms that need immediate medical attention including an injection called epinephrine.

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Treatment of anaphylactic reaction can be treated with epinephrine. In emergency medical needs, antihistamine and steroids can be used with the insertion of the breathing tube. A person with many allergic reactions might get prescribed epinephrine.

Medical Treatment of Hornet Sting

Many of the hornet sting pictures are there that can be frightening. Most of the time hornet sting can be treated with home remedies, but sometimes hornet sting causes several of reaction and symptoms which can be better treated with medicine. To get relief from excessive itching antihistamines and diphenhydramine can be taken. To get relief from pain acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be taken. If the infection spreads from sting doctor might order some antibiotics.

Symptoms of Hornet sting

The mild sting can be treated with home remedies, but repeated stings can be very deadly and cause hornet sting swelling. Medical help may be needed for a person with these symptoms after the sting:

  • Vomiting – Hornet sting can cause vomiting. In most cases, this is a common symptom.
  • Diarrhea- one of the uncommon symptoms which can develop in some cases.
  • Pale skin – Pale skin is often the most common symptom that can be seen near the site of the sting.
  • Short of breath – one of the allergic reactions that can happen from hornet sting. People with berating problems have a higher chance of developing it with a sting.
  • Excessive itchiness – in some cases, the itchiness in the affected area can increase very much.
  • Rapid heart rate – Heart rate can be caused by anaphylaxis.
  • Swelling in the tongue and throat – Swelling is very common after a string that can be treated with home remedies, but swelling spreading to the tongue and throat might need medical attention.
  • Dizziness – Dizziness can be caused by the sting as an effect from the venom.
  • Loss of consciousness- Loss of consciousness is very rare, and it is mostly caused by anaphylaxis.
  • Hives

The reaction of Hornet sting

Hornet string can cause any reaction. Some of the reactions can be quite deadly and some of the reactions can be easily treated with some medicines. Some of the common reactions are:

1. Allergic Reaction

Allergic reactions can happen to the people who have produced an antibody for the same type of venom as a result of a previous string. It is very rare and does not see in often in sting cases, but the symptoms of this can be very severe such as difficulty breathing due to swelling of the pharynx, flushing of the skin, epiglottis, narrowing of the bronchial passages, Reaction varies from life-threatening to mild skin hives. One of the deadly reactions is called anaphylaxis, which is often seen in males under the age of 20.

2. Toxic Reactions

A large amount of venom can cause from repeated sting. Symptoms are fever, vomiting, headache, dizziness, headache, nausea, fever, etc.

3. Delayed Reactions

This is the rarest reaction that happens to very fewer people. Symptoms can include inflammation in the brain, blood vessels, and nerves, serum sickness, etc.

Prevention of Hornet String

Hornet string can be prevented by many methods and a bit of awareness. A little bit of casualness or ignorance can cause hornets to attack.  Some of the very useful ways to avoid being stung by hornets are:

  • Avoid and do not disturb hives or hornet nests. People often casually throw something at the hive or nests accidentally or knowingly.
  • At the time of outdoor activities, do avoid things that can attract hornets such as fragranced body products, bright colors, drinks that contain sugar, and honey.
  • Wear long sleeves and long pants while traveling outside.
  • Avoid swat at swarming hornets.
  • Do not kill any hornet near the nest as the nest can trigger by it, and the whole nest attack can be very deadly.
  • Be very aware of fruit trees and blooming flowers as the hornets often found in fruits and flowers.
  • Keep all the garbage away from the outdoor areas. Garbage can attract hornets.

Conclusion

Hornet sting can cause pain, swelling, headache, mostly it can be treated with home remedies but if any allergic reaction occurs, it’s better to get medical help immediately.

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