Summer time is wasp time.
Those who are susceptible to insect bites live in fear during the warm months.
A simple home remedy might help.
Anyone who has ever been stung by a wasp knows how uncomfortable it can be.
The puncture site often swells and after the first major wave of pain has subsided, unbearable itching begins.
For allergy sufferers, a wasp sting can quickly end in death - medical treatment is usually unavoidable.
However, even for non-allergic people, a sting from the insects, which are known for their aggression, spoils the day if no antidote is at hand.
Simple household remedies such as half an onion or a poultice with vinegar, for example, should help.
But what if you're on the go and don't have these ingredients at hand?
Wasp stings: they are mostly harmless, but very painful!
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If you are not careful when eating, you can be stung by a wasp
© Karl-Josef Hildenbrand / dpa
What would summertime be without a real barbecue party?
If you have a garden or don't live far from the nearest park, you'll probably reach for the grill tongs more often in the warmer months to sizzle sausages, steak and skewers.
But most barbecue fans know this: the salads are hardly on the table and the guests have opened their first drinks when numerous wasps buzz around the food.
While some people manage to stay calm at the sight of the black and yellow insect and slowly but surely move away, others panic immediately.
There are ways to repel wasps, but these do not always protect against stings.
Wasps are of course particularly frightening for allergy sufferers.
For them, wasp stings can quickly become life-threatening.
In contrast to the similar-looking but much more peaceful bees, wasps are known for their potential for aggression — anyone who resists the winged creature's interest may face a sting.
And they are known to be quite painful!
Although non-allergic people do not have to worry about their health after a wasp sting, the barbecue party is more or less spoiled by the sensitive throbbing puncture site.
Wasp stings: There is a particular risk for allergy sufferers
Anyone who is allergic to wasp stings must of course take special care of themselves.
In this case, it's not just about relieving the pain and potential inflammation.
Because if you're allergic to the venom of the armored insects, one moment of inattention can quickly spell doom.
At best, of course, you already know that you should stay away from wasps.
But those who have never been stung may not even be aware that a sting could be life-threatening.
If the puncture site causes particularly severe swelling, redness and intense pain, it is advisable to see a doctor.
In particularly sensitive people, however, a wasp sting can also cause an allergic shock: the first signs of this are symptoms such as shortness of breath,
dizziness, vomiting or fainting.
In this case, the emergency doctor must be called immediately, otherwise the wasp sting could also be fatal.
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Wasp stings: A simple home remedy can quickly remedy the situation
So what should you do if you have actually been stung by a wasp?
If no medical treatment is necessary due to an allergic reaction, there are also simple home remedies that make a wasp sting more bearable instead of overpriced creams or sprays.
Half an onion is said to help, and a poultice with vinegar also seems to relieve pain and itching after a wasp sting.
But who wants to smell like onions or vinegar for the rest of the day?
A particularly simple household remedy seems both odorless and more effective: A teaspoon of sugar mixed with your own saliva is said to have miraculous healing powers for wasp stings.
Simply apply the sticky mass liberally to the sting and relieve pain and swelling.
A moistened sugar cube is said to be able to draw the poison out of the wound.
Above all, the sugar mass ensures that the wound does not swell so much and that the later itching remains bearable.
The ten most common allergies: from hay fever and gluten intolerance to fragrance and sun allergies
Hay fever or pollen allergy in general is one of the most common allergies.
The symptoms of hay fever are caused by pollen from various plants, cereals and grasses such as birch, alder, mugwort, plantain, acacia, sorrel and rye.
(Iconic image) © North Rhine Westphalia/Imago
Intensive cuddling with cats, for example, is not possible for people with a sensitive immune system without symptoms.
Even if cats are not present or in a room, but have left their hair or allergens behind, people with animal dander allergies can have severe symptoms such as sneezing and coughing.
The overreaction to animal allergens is one of the most common allergies after house cold.
(Iconic image) © Evgenia Sunegina/Imago
Watery eyes and sneezing in bed in the morning - if it's not an infection, you could possibly be allergic to house dust mites or their faeces.
Mites prefer to live in beds as they mainly feed on human dander.
The reason for the allergic reaction in humans are proteins that are in the body of house dust mites and their excretions.
If these get into the human mucous membranes via the air, typical symptoms such as a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing can occur.
Along with pollen and food, house dust mites are among the most common allergy triggers.
(Iconic image) © leungchopan/Imago
More than ten percent of Central Europeans suffer from a sun allergy – the so-called “polymorphic light eruption” is the most common.
The symptoms can express themselves very differently, that is, are polymorphic.
Redness, itching, swelling, pustules, wheals and blisters are typical of an allergic reaction after sun exposure.
The shoulders, arms and legs, the décolleté, the neck and the face are particularly affected.
However, skin areas that are not directly exposed to the sun's rays due to clothing can also show skin reactions.
(Iconic image) © Christine Langer-Püschel/Imago
As a rule, an allergy to fragrances and cosmetics is a type IV allergy, also called “delayed type”.
As the name suggests, the reactions do not occur immediately after contact with the allergen, but only with a certain delay. Put on your favorite scent - and you will feel better immediately.
But what do people do who suddenly react to perfume and fragrances with severe itching, a rash and eczemas?
There may then be a fragrance allergy that many of those affected are unaware of - even though fragrance and cosmetic allergies are among the most widespread contact allergies.
The extent of the allergy often depends on specific fragrances, their formulation and dosage.
(Iconic image) © Arne Trautmann/Imago
Healthy people lack the endogenous enzyme lactase to break down lactose in the small intestine and thus absorb it through the blood. People who react to lactose with symptoms prefer to drink their coffee black or with the now universally popular oat milk.
Symptoms after drinking cow's milk are often abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting and cold sweat.
About 15 percent of people in Germany are affected by lactose intolerance.
A true lactose allergy is very rare.
(Iconic image) © Thomas Trutschel/photothek.de/Imago
Symptoms of gluten intolerance are diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, abdominal cramps and intestinal bleeding with sometimes blood in the stool. Freshly smelling bread from the baker, how wonderful.
But people with gluten intolerance or gluten allergy (celiac disease) must avoid it.
The gluten contained in grains such as wheat triggers an inflammatory reaction in them because the antibodies are directed against their own body.
As a result, the intestinal villi recede.
Due to the reduced surface, nutrients can no longer be absorbed as well and there is a risk of malnutrition.
Symptoms are diarrhoea, constipation, flatulence, abdominal cramps and intestinal bleeding with sometimes blood in the stool.
(Iconic image) © Fleig / Eibner-Pressefoto/Imago
Like soybeans, beans, lentils and peas, peanuts are legumes.
Allergy sufferers therefore do not necessarily have to do without all nuts if there is no cross-allergy. "May contain traces of nuts." - A note that can often be read on the label of desserts and spreads.
It is particularly important for people with a peanut allergy, as eating peanuts can be life-threatening in acute cases due to swelling of the airways.
In western countries, peanut allergy is not only one of the most common food allergies – peanuts are the cause of most food allergy-related deaths.
(Iconic image) © Gottfried Czepluch/Imago
In Germany, around two to four million people are affected by an apple allergy. Bite into a juicy apple, delicious!
Less tempting for people with an apple allergy.
Because they react when eaten with a so-called oral allergy syndrome (OAS).
A person affected by an apple allergy may develop symptoms such as a burning sensation in the mouth and throat, a furry tongue and swollen lips just from eating the fruit.
In Germany, around two to four million people are affected by an apple allergy.
(Iconic image) © Sunsi Albets/Imago
Symptoms often last longer than 24 hours and are accompanied by chills and a general feeling of illness.
In the worst case, there is even a threat of anaphylactic shock, which can be life-threatening.
As beautiful as the sight of a bee on the flower may be, people with an insect sting allergy prefer to keep their distance here.
If you get bitten, you often not only react with an allergic reaction such as itching, burning, reddening and swelling of the skin around the bite site – in the worst case, an allergic shock can occur and there is a risk of death.
(Iconic image) © fotogroupmedia/Imago
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.
List of rubrics: © Karl-Josef Hildenbrand / dpa
