Wasp stings

Ferrel TH Jr, Rnssell SA. (2008) Medicated patch for treating bee and wasp Stings, United States Patent 7338673. 

Wasp stings tend to contain less protein and a more formic acid-type substance that produces an intense burning. Table 13.2 lists some poisonous and venomous insects. 

Spain. Infusion of the leaf is taken orally for hypertension. Extract of the leaf is taken orally for gastrointestinal colic. Leaves are eaten for diabetes. Fruits are eaten for pain and wasp sting . 

Urticaria, commonly known as hives, is a type I allergic reaction that results very rapidly from exposure to a toxicant to which the subject has become sensitized. It is characterized by the release of histamine from a type of white blood cell. Histamine causes many of the symptoms of allergic reaction, including tissue edema. In addition to edema, erythema, and accompanying raised welts on skin, urticaria is accompanied by severe itching. In severe cases, such as happen in some people as the result of bee or wasp stings, urticaria can result in systemic anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction. 

Some scorpion stings do not contain neurotoxins and their venom is relatively harmless, producing mainly irritation and inflammation at the site of the sting as bee and wasp stings do. 

In 36 patients with a history of systemic reactions (grade III or IV according to Mueller) after exposure to a wasp sting, who were given immunotherapy with aluminium hydroxide-adsorbed wasp venom extract in an open retrospective study, a maintenance monthly depot of 50 000 SQU (50 micrograms) of venom was used (13). After the first year, the dose was injected every other month. Desensitization therapy was well tolerated. There were... 

Anonymous. Sensitisation to bee and wasp stings with NSAlDs/ACE inhibition. Reactions 1999 3 747. 

In South America, the papaya (probably for its papain content) is used as a home remedy for jellyfish, bee, and wasp stings mosquito and snake bites and even stingray wounds (efficacy uncertain), for its ability to break down protein toxins in the venom. It is also an ingredient in some first aid creams and may be used as an enzymatic agent for treating infected skin wounds. 

If you do get stung, remove the stinger by scraping it away. Squeezing the stinger releases more venom. Apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion. You can reduce pain by applying cold water or ice. Venom from wasp stings attracts other wasps, so you may want to move indoors. 

Annila IT, Karjalainen ES, Annila PA, et al. (1996) Bee and wasp sting reactions in current beekeepers. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 77 423-427... 

This chapter focuses on the chemical ecology of bees. Collaboration among behaviorists, field biologists, systematists, and chemists has led to a surge of publications on the natural product chemistry of these insect exocrine secretions. This has been stimulated by those with practical interests in apiculture and medicine (bee and wasp stings kill more people annually in the USA than do snake bites). 

Explain why hydrochloric acid is not used to treat wasp stings. [1]... 

Wasp stings are alkaline, and can be neutralised with vinegar. Why Ant stings and nettle stings contain methanoic add. How would you treat them ... 

Serotonin is also found in some species of coral and also stinging nettles, and causes pain when iryected locally by the barbs on the leaves or spines in a similar manner to that of wasp stings. 

Riggs, J.E., Ketonen, L.M., Wymer, J.R, Barbano, R.L., Valanne, L.K., and Bodenstein, J.B., 1994, Acute and delayed cerebral infarction after wasp sting anaphylaxis. Clin. Neuropathol. 17 284-388. 

Wagdi, R, Mehan, V.K., Burgi, H., and Salzmann, C., 1994, Acute myocardial infarction after wasp stings in a patient with normal coronary arteries. Amer. Heart J. 128 820-823. 

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