Wasp Sting: Does an Onion Really Help?

Created: 09/04/2022, 15:00

By: Laura Knops

In the event of a wasp sting, you need to act quickly.

But do home remedies like the juice of a raw onion really help with swelling and itching?

Many people panic when they see a wasp.

Although a wasp sting is very painful, it is rarely dangerous.

To relieve the swelling around the bite and suppress the itching, many sufferers swear by home remedies such as raw onion juice.

But how effective is first aid from the first aid kit and what alternatives are there?

Wasp Sting: Does an Onion Really Help?

Especially in summer there are a lot of wasps around.

If a sting occurs, this is very unpleasant, but usually not too bad.

Contact with a wasp is potentially dangerous – if not life-threatening – only for those who are allergic to insect bites.

Compared to the venom of bees, hornets and bumblebees, wasps have the greatest allergenic potential among insects.

Various home remedies can help with insect bites (icon image).

© agrarmotive / Imago

If the sting swells significantly within a short period of time, those affected should therefore consult a doctor as soon as possible.

If symptoms such as skin rash, itching, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations or swelling of the face and mouth also occur, an emergency doctor must be contacted.

In this case, it could possibly be an anaphylactic shock.

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Wasp sting: Symptoms can include swelling, redness, and itching

Allergic reactions to wasp stings are very rare.

Those affected usually only suffer from mild symptoms such as swelling, redness and itching around the puncture site.

Various home remedies can help relieve symptoms.

The juice of the onion cools and moisturizes the affected area.

Raw onions also have an antibacterial and disinfecting effect.

This not only reduces swelling and itching, but also prevents inflammation at the puncture site.

Those affected should observe the following steps when applying:

• In order not to irritate the skin around the sting, you should first squeeze out the piece of onion and then apply the juice in a targeted manner.

• If you need something quick, just halve the onion and press it into the sting for a few minutes.

Wasp sting: First aid from the medicine chest

In addition to the juice of an onion, other home remedies can also provide relief for a wasp sting.

A cool, wet compress can work wonders for most insect bites.

A cold poultice with vinegar cools and has a neutralizing effect on the poison.

If there are no tools within reach, saliva also helps against the pain.

Various insect bite remedies are also available in pharmacies, which can be used to quickly treat inflammation.

The poison is removed from the sting site with the help of a suction pad.

Heat sticks can also cause the heat applied to destroy the protein contained in the wasp venom.

The result: the sting swells less and hardly itch.

Antihistamines in the form of a cream or gel relieve itching and help with swelling.

The inflammation can also be treated with low-dose cortisone preparations.

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.