Yellow jacket allergy

Fact Checked

Yellow jacket is a wasp the size of a house fly and named for the black and yellow stripes found in the abdomen. They form their nest in the ground and become dangerous if their nest are disturbed that can cause stinging attacks against the perpetrator. Wasps can easily remove their stingers from the skin and can sting repeatedly. The reaction of a yellow jacket sting varies from minor irritation to death.

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Remember that yellow jackets can strike any time and capable of causing swelling, redness and itchiness of the affected area.

Symptoms

• The symptoms usually last for hours but they can last for a week. The sting becomes red and swollen.
• Warm when touched and can cause itchiness.
• The body produces an antibody called IgE against the yellow jacket venom which cause an allergic reaction in the future stings. The affected person will develop mild hives and flushed skin or becomes a dangerous condition.
• Anaphylaxis which is a severe reaction such as difficulty in breathing, problems with circulation, low blood pressure and eventually cardio-respiratory arrest and death.

  

Treatment

• Wash the affected area using warm and soapy water. Apply an ice pack directly to the sting site to help lessen the swelling and irritation of skin. Rub the ice pack over the sting for at least 10 minutes if the pain is persistent.
• Lessen the stinging sensation using an aluminum-based deodorant, meat tenderizer or even a thick baking soda paste. These solutions can be applied with a cotton ball to lessen the swelling and neutralize venom.
• Take the prescribed pain medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help lessen the pain and inflammation.
• Take the prescribed oral antihistamine that helps lessen the itching. Apply hydrocortisone cream on the affected area at least 3 times every day.
• Make a paste using baking soda and a few drops of water and then mix them well to become a paste. Apply this paste on the affected area to help with the condition. Use ammonia to help stop the stinging sensation.
• Vinegar can also be used to help minimize the itchiness due to the sting and mix lemon juice and alcohol that can also be applied to the area to help with the condition.
• Place a slice of fresh onion on the affected area to help in relieving the inflammation and pain.
• Prepare a mud pack by mixing clay soil and a few drops of water. Mix well and apply this mixture on the affected area. Cover the area using gauze until the mud pack becomes dry.
• People with deficiency in zinc are prone to attacks of yellow jacket wasp. Eat a well-balanced diet especially foods that are rich in zinc. Eat foods such as shellfish, oysters, wheat germ, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, almonds, peanuts and varieties of fruits and vegetables to promote fast healing of the condition.