Sting still sticks – what to do?
As a rule, the sting does not get stuck in a wasp sting, since wasps, unlike bees, do not have barbs on their sting and can even sting several times. Nevertheless, the sting should always be thoroughly examined. If the sting is still in the skin, it can be removed carefully with tweezers.
Afterwards the area should be disinfected with a suitable wound or skin disinfectant to prevent infection. In some cases there may still be poison in the sting, which can be pressed into the skin if it is removed carelessly. This is particularly unfavorable for allergy sufferers, which is why a family doctor can be consulted for this. If the sting is so deep in the skin that it cannot be removed with tweezers, it is also possible to consult the family doctor, who can remove the sting more easily with the right instruments and under appropriately disinfected conditions.
Duration
It usually takes between five and seven days for a wasp sting to heal completely, but sometimes there are no symptoms even earlier. In the first few minutes after the sting, strong pain is usually felt, but this quickly subsides (after about three to eight minutes). At the same time, a swelling with redness, warming and itching begins to develop.
For allergy sufferers, this swelling can sometimes become very large. After two to three days, the greatest extent is reached and the symptoms begin to disappear again. After five to seven days, wasp stings have healed at the latest.
Wasp sting allergy
A wasp sting allergy is one of the Type I allergic reactions, which means that it is an allergy of the immediate type. An allergic reaction to a wasp sting therefore takes place within a few minutes to a few hours (maximum five to six hours) after the sting, but usually during the first hour after the sting. In the case of an allergy sufferer, sensitization must have taken place before the allergic reaction, i.e. there must have been contact with wasp venom before, or simply said, only after the second sting in life does an allergic reaction occur.
In this case antibodies (immunoglobulins) of type E (also called IgE) are released. These IgE bind to mast cells (a cell type of the immune system that occurs freely in the blood and tissue) and activate them so that they release messenger substances (cytokines) such as histamines and granzymes. These messenger substances cause the allergic symptoms.
While swelling, reddening, overheating and initially pain and later itching are normal symptoms, they can be very pronounced in the case of a mild allergy or can be supplemented by other symptoms in the case of a more severe allergy.The accompanying symptoms of wasp venom allergy include skin rashes all over the body, nausea, vomiting and headaches, pressure on the chest and shortness of breath, as well as palpitations, drop in blood pressure, fainting, unconsciousness and even anaphylactic shock. It is also possible that only some of these symptoms are present. If there are signs of an allergic reaction, a hospital should be visited immediately or the emergency doctor should be called (Tel.
: 112). With the help of a skin test (intracutaneous test) it can be determined in advance under controlled conditions whether an allergy is present. Also a hyposensitization (habituation as therapy, so that the allergy is overcome) can be carried out.
This usually takes place in the hospital, in order to be able to guarantee optimal care in case of unforeseen consequences. There are also emergency kits for known allergy sufferers, which contain medication to prevent an acute reaction. Even if an emergency set has been used successfully, the emergency physician should be informed afterwards.
