What to Do If Stung by a Hornet? Correct First Aid Methods Explained

The hornet is relatively large in size and venomous, with horns on its head that resemble ox horns, a yellow head, a brownish-black thorax, and an abdomen with alternating yellow and black bands in a conical shape. It has three venomous stingers and will attack humans and livestock when startled, possessing lethal venom. If you have been stung by a hornet, what should you do?

1. What symptoms appear after being stung by a hornet?

1. The stung area will become red, swollen, hot and painful. In severe cases, the local area may turn black and spread to surrounding areas, and tissue necrosis may even occur. If stung by a bee, a stinger may also remain in the skin.

2. Poisoning reactions may include dizziness, headache, and other symptoms. If the reaction is mild, it may disappear within a few hours. If stung by a swarm of hornets, severe poisoning reactions may occur, including difficulty breathing, and even respiratory paralysis leading to death.

3. Hornet sting poisoning may also cause hemolytic acute renal failure, liver damage, and some other symptoms.

2. What should you do after being stung by a hornet?

1. After being stung by a hornet, first pull out the stinger from the body, then suck it with your mouth, then rub it with your hands, and finally wipe and disinfect it with alcohol to prevent the spread of toxins.

2. If there is no medicine nearby, you can wash the stung area with soapy water, then apply vinegar or lemon juice.

3. If shock occurs, immediately call “120” or go to the hospital. On the way, keep the injured person's airway clear, and assist with artificial respiration, cardiac massage, and other first aid measures.

3. What first aid measures are there for hornet stings?

1. If there is temporarily no medicine nearby, you can apply vinegar, and you can also use lemons, oranges, and other fruits with relatively strong acidity. The stronger the acidity, the better the effect.

2. If there is no fruit, you can pick some acidic plants and trees on the spot and apply them. It is even better if you know detoxifying herbs.

3. If you have been stung, after taking the above measures, you should also drink more water to speed up the excretion of toxins.

4. If stung by a hornet, the first thing is to call for emergency help or go directly to the hospital for timely treatment.

Although the toxicity of hornets is very strong, as long as you are not stung by a swarm, the effect of the toxins on the human body is still not great. It is best not to provoke hornets, and if you see one, it is best to avoid it in time.