Though you might not often get a hornet sting, they do hurt rather a lot. Essentially, hornets are bigger wasps with strong venom. Hornets will only sting you when they feel threatened or if you try to get too close to their nest.
A hornet sting will cause instant pain in the stung area. You may experience a burning sensation in the affected area. While this condition is generally not a problem for most people, allergic people may experience adverse reactions and will need to seek appropriate medical care.
It is critical to know how to respond when a hornet stings you. One hornet can inject venom and sting you more than once. It is best to contact pest control if you discover a hornet nest close to or around your home. Click here for More info.
What Happens When A Hornet Stings You
A hornet sting hurts a lot. Hornets can sting you many times because their stingers do not fall off like bees’. When they sting, they put poison into your skin. This poison can make your skin hurt, itch, swell up, and turn red.
Usually, hornet stings only cause mild side effects, such as pain and swelling, which go away in a day or two. However, for up to a week, some people might feel pain or swelling. Usually, the sting is followed by a sharp, burning pain and then itching.
People react differently to hornet stings. For an allergic person, matters can turn much more serious. They could end up with hives, show signs of having some trouble breathing, feel parts of their faces or throats swell, have a pounding heart, feel lightheaded, or even faint.
If you or a loved one experiences these symptoms, please seek medical care promptly. In other cases, it can result in anaphylactic shock.
What To Do If You Are Stung
If you get stung by a hornet, try to leave the area right away; there could be more nearby. The good news is you do not need to worry about pulling out a stinger, since hornets do not leave theirs behind. Get to a safe place, somewhere far away from the hornet nest, and wash the area thoroughly.
To make sure the sting stays clean, begin by washing it with soap and water. Then put some ice on it to manage the pain and reduce any swelling. Try to elevate your arm or leg as you wait for medical help. If the pain is itchy or swollen, you can take an allergy medicine like Benadryl or something like ibuprofen.
With that said, there are instances when you should not wait to see a doctor. If you are stung near your eye, mouth, or in the throat, or have been stung multiple times, you are better off heading to the ER immediately.
Also, keep an eye on the person who got stung, because allergic reactions can show up a little later. If someone knows they are allergic, they should always carry an EpiPen and use it right away if symptoms start.
Why Multiple Stings Are More Dangerous
Even a single sting by hornets is serious, but multiple stings can be really dangerous. Too much venom can damage your body and lead to problems with your muscles or kidneys. If someone gets 10 or more stings, especially if they are a child or elderly, they may need to go to the hospital.
Hornets are very protective of their nests. If you get too close, they can swarm and sting many times. This makes it even more dangerous for allergic people.
If you or someone you love has been stung by hornets, make sure to get the appropriate help. That being said, protect your family from such painful bites by removing hornets from your property. Call a pest control company today.