Meetings with stinging insects in the summer are quite common. Moreover, bites of wasps and bumblebees are painful and cause numerous problems for people affected by them. Not everyone knows that 2 times more victims die from such insects annually than from the bites of poisonous snakes. Hornets occupy the leading positions among the harmful stinging ones.

Who are the hornets

Nature has a huge number of insects, among which wasps are a large percentage. Today, about 30 thousand species of these Hymenoptera are known, the largest and most aggressive of which are hornets.

Note! The common hornet found in Russia reaches a length of 4 cm and weighs more than 100 g.

In addition to its impressive size, it does not differ much from its wasp relatives: it has almost the same striped yellow-black color as in all wasps. The hornet lets his sting enter in order to protect himself, which he needs to preserve his home and his own life.

Hornet bite and its consequences

Hornets can build their nests:

  • in attics;
  • in basements;
  • under the cornices;
  • on balconies;
  • under the roofs of houses;
  • in the voids of reinforced concrete floor slabs;
  • on old trees;
  • in the ground.

Near the nest, built by insects, there are always guard hornets, zealously guarding the peace of their hive. Whenever a stranger (a person or an animal) tries to enter the dwelling, they emit a prearranged signal, after which the entire population stands together to defend the house.

Important! Numerous bites inflicted on the victim by a whole swarm always carry grave consequences and pose a truly mortal danger.

The most dangerous breeds of this species are hornets that live in regions of Asia. These insects have become a real disaster for Japan, in which several dozen deaths are recorded every summer associated with poisonous hornet bites.

To avoid tragic accidents:

  • you can not touch and stir up a nest accidentally discovered;
  • it is unsafe to try to eliminate it without special equipment, protective suit and proper experience;
  • it is wrong to make waves and sudden movements with your hands when an insect approaches, since such behavior awakens in him the instinct of self-preservation and increases the likelihood of a bite;
  • you need to keep calm;
  • try to hold your breath if the hornet is in close proximity.

Hornets, like all wasps, are big sweet tooth. Making jam attracts insects, making a fun process an exhausting ordeal.

Hornets are attracted to the same goodies that are well-respected by humans. Most often, the hornet bites at the very moment when it enters the mouth of its victim along with a bite off of a sugary watermelon or ice cream. These bites are the most damaging and especially dangerous for the person being attacked.

Swelling after a bite

The sweet floral and fruity aromas of the perfume make inexperienced insects settle for the owners of the delicious-smelling perfumery. Often unnoticed in the folds of clothing, they are undergoing accidental compression, squeezing, which unbalances them and serves as a signal to start an attack.

Hornet bite and its consequences

Hornet bite

Wasps and hornets are classified as scavengers. By biting their prey, they put it at risk of additional infection.Due to the high content of poison in the sting of the hornet, the affected area is very sore, the substance that has entered the blood plasma leads to intoxication of the body. The reaction to toxins can be local or general.

Local (local) reaction

Note! A blister appears directly at the site of the sting, which may be accompanied by redness of the skin. A characteristic sign is swelling of the affected area, as well as pain in the affected area.

Usually these symptoms last from 10-15 minutes. up to 4-5 hours after the attack.

General reaction

Toxins that have entered the body affect the general condition. The unpleasant sensations from the bite are complemented by the following symptoms:

  • heart palpitations;
  • high blood pressure;
  • difficulty breathing;
  • nausea and gastrointestinal spasms;
  • an increase in temperature;
  • painful sensations throughout the body, regardless of the affected area.

The patient may experience these symptoms for several days.

In the first minutes after the incident, the following steps should be taken:

  • examine the wound and make sure that there is no sting left in it with a poisonous sac;
  • if a sting is found, try to pull it out of the wound very carefully;
  • treat the affected area of ​​skin with a solution of hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine in order to prevent infection;
  • be sure to apply cold to the damaged area, as this will slow down the spread of toxins in the blood.

    Removing the sting

Hornet bite and its consequences for a person with allergies

Ground Wasp Sting

Poisons that enter the victim's blood, in addition to intoxication, are dangerous for some people with severe allergic reactions. If a hornet has bitten, you need to take any second generation antihistamine. Pharmacies dispense these drugs without a prescription, and it is best to always have one of these drugs in your home medicine cabinet, purchasing it well in advance.

Important! Medicines have an expiration date that should be checked regularly during long-term storage.

Patients seen by an allergist and registered with this specialist must have an anti-shock kit with them. You also need to carry with you an "allergic person's passport" with an indication of the procedure for providing assistance.

What will happen if a hornet bites a patient with such a diagnosis and exactly where this can happen is difficult to predict. The presence of medical instructions contained in such a document will help provide the necessary emergency assistance before the arrival of an ambulance.

Each victim can learn about the existing allergic predisposition independently, comparing the size of the damage with the strength of its consequences.

Alarming signals should be:

  • redness exceeding 10 cm in circumference;
  • edema extending far beyond the stinging area;
  • severe itching and flaking.

Having established the tendency to manifest allergies, you need to know what will happen if the hornet stings the second, third and subsequent times.

Note! The body's reaction to a hornet bite develops incrementally. If, at the first lesion, minor signs of allergy appeared, then with repeated, even after a very long time, the body's reaction will be more pronounced.

Risk areas

How to treat a bee sting

You need to be especially careful about hornet bites, which fell on the connections of large arteries, blood vessels and lymph nodes. A sting stuck in such a part of the body throws the poison directly into the bloodstream and thereby forces the body to respond to toxins and histamines very quickly.

Hand after a bite

This reduces the precious minutes needed to provide emergency support. If, for some reason, doctors are delayed, and there are no first aid supplies at hand, this can have the most sad consequences for the victim.

Highlight:

  • the area of ​​the armpits;
  • areas under the knees;
  • groin area;
  • head and neck;
  • face and eyes;
  • lips, inside of the mouth and larynx.

Treatment

After first aid, you can, if necessary, use gels and ointments specially designed for use after a sting.

Important! Exposure to direct sunlight as well as high temperatures can cause allergic reactions even several days after the bite. After stinging, you should not visit the bathhouse, sauna and solarium.

Restoration of the skin within 4-5 hours after the hornet bite indicates the patient's recovery and does not require further medical intervention.

In case of visible pathologies (swelling, vomiting, fever), you need to see a medical professional, and ideally an allergist.

The time of hornets, as well as other stinging insects, is limited to the summer period of their existence. To avoid disappointments and unpleasant memories of warm and sunny days, you need to ensure that you have protective repellents and medicines in advance.