What takes the stinging sensation out of a wasp sting?

Question

I have just been stung by a wasp and the sting is no longer in but still have the pricking feeling. Someone told me vinegar... is this correct??

Answer 1

Remove the stinger. Avoid using tweezers to do this, however, as it can squeeze more venom into the body. Instead, carefully scrape a blunt edge over the stinger, such as a credit card or the back of a plastic knife, which will encourage it to ping free.

Experts recommend applying vinegar to the affected area to relieve itching, and popping a painkiller if necessary (though always follow advice on the packet when it comes to taking any medicine).

Also watch out for allergic reactions. Don't hesitate to seek medical treatment should it leave you feeling dizzy, cause swelling through the body and/or difficulty in breathing.

Answer 2

www.insectstings.co.uk/sting-acid-or-alkali.htm

Are wasp stings acid and bee stings alkali or are bee stings acid and wasp stings alkali?
The Answer!
Every year I have lots of people ask me this question (especially teenagers doing certain science courses across the world) and so I have decided to make this a special one-off web page on this subject!

The claims that have become popular are that:

1. Wasp sting venom is alkaline and so it can be neutralised with vinegar and this then reduces the pain
2. Bee sting venom is acidic and so it can be neutralised with bicarbonate of soda and this reaction reduces the pain.

Are either of these statements true?

The facts are that:

Bee venom contains formic acid (also known as methanoic acid) but this is not the single active ingredient that causes the pain from a bee sting
Wasp stings are alkali but once again the venom has so many active ingredients that it is very unlikely that it is the alkali alone that is the single active ingredient that causes the pain
Neutralising a sting with either vinegar or bicarbonate of soda is unlikely to be effective because:

1) The venom from wasps and bees is injected under the skin and after a few minutes spreads deep into the tissues. Sloshing vinegar or bicarbonate of soda onto the skin surface is unlikely to even get near the venom so no "neutralisation" is likely to take place anyway.
2) A wasp or bee sting is between 5 and 50 micrograms of fluid - this is a tiny amount of fluid - a little pinhead or the size of this full stop . - and it is hard to believe how pouring comparatively huge volumes of unknown strength vinegar or rubbing lumps of bicarbonate of soda near the venom is going to produce a perfectly neutral ph which neutralises the sting and stops it hurting.

So, I confidently state that vinegar and bicarbonate of soda have no real physical effect on how much a sting hurts except to say that rubbing a wound distracts the mind from the immediate pain and rubbing a wound promotes the release of endorphins which reduces the pain, and if you believe something is going to work, then it often will because the mind can play curious tricks!
If anyone, young or old. has something to add on this subject then let me know as I am willing to be corrected as long as there is some scientific evidence somewhere.

For the time being, however, I would suggest there is no scientific evidence whatsoever to prove the scientific hypothesis that alkali reduces the pain of bee stings and acids reduces the pain of wasp stings.

Any correspondence on this subject would be most welcome!.

AND

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8125-1750451,00.html

Home remedies: vinegar for wasp stings

It’s that time of year when wasps seem to become more of a pest, especially annoying for those enjoying alfresco meals on the patio and drinks in beer gardens. A number of our readers have written and e-mailed to tell us about the traditional summer remedy of vinegar for wasp stings.

“Vinegar for vasp stings.” Over the years this mnemonic has been repeated by old wives, textbooks, websites and even many doctors. So is its absence on the NHS Direct “how to treat a sting” page a significant omission?

Yes, but it’s an informed omission. Because, while there is scientific research to show that vinegar does help stings, this applies only to those inflicted by jellyfish and there is not a shred of evidence to suggest that it is effective for wasp stings.

Even its theoretical basis — that the acidic nature of vinegar neutralises the alkaline sting — is doubtful because authoritative bodies claim that wasp stings are, in fact, neutral on the pH scale.

So the NHS Direct advice is spot-on: wash the area, apply an ice pack, raise the affected part and take an antihistamine if necessary. Vinegar for vasp stings? Wubbish.
KEITH HOPCROFT, GP

Answer 3

Try Making a Paste by adding a little water to some baking soda. then apply directly to sting site. be Careful not to rub it off it will eventually harden. Take Acetominophen (Tynlenol)

Anthony

Answer 4

If your foot has gone numb then I think some medical advice might be a good idea. Your doctor's surgery should offer some out of hours service (it will if you are in the UK). Try calling them and asking for some advice. It may be that they can help over the telephone or that they will refer you to A & E. Be ready to give the doctor as much info about your symptoms as you can - especially if you are feeling unwell in any other way.

Answer 5

What takes the stinging sensation out of a wasp sting?

Amputating your arm.

Answer 6

I think vinegar is good..its acidic & the wasp sting is alkaline.

Answer 7

Ammonia is the best.
Urine also works as a last resort on most stings!

Answer 8

Vinegar would work or you could try making a paste out of Adolf's brand meat tenderizer.

Answer 9

try mixing a litle bicarbinate of soda with water to make a paste. put the paste on your sting and the pain will go away immediatley and at the same time, cleanse your wound.

Answer 10

The proper stuff to use - if you have it, of course - is an antihistamine cream or spray.

As advised above, be mindful of the symptoms of anaphylactic shock - this can be fatal.

And yes, there are still wasps about, thanks to the mild weather to date.