Learn all about the black wasp sting and pain associated with its sting. Also get information about several home remedies for sting.
Black wasp in the genus Sphex is a member of the family Sphecidae (SFEE-ci-dee), the thread-waisted wasps, or digger wasps, which are all solitary. Relatives include mud daubers and the very closely related great golden digger wasp (S. ichneumoneus).
It lives across most of North America and grows to a size of 20–35 mm (0.8–1.4 in). The larvae feed on living insects that the females paralyze and carry to the underground nest.
In rare cases, wasp stings can contribute to complications involving the nervous system. According to the Mayo Clinic, people who have gone into anaphylactic shock after one sting are 30 to 60 percent more likely to show the same reaction in the future.
A normal reaction is to experience pain, burning, itchiness, redness and swelling. Pain will last for a few hours then should disappear. If you notice your hands or fingers starting to swell, remove rings immediately. Protect the wound from bumps and avoid rubbing. Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine maleate, will help in reducing the itching and swelling following a wasp sting.
What is Black Wasp?
Black wasp is a very large wasp species, as its name infers. This wasp is black, mono-colored and without colored stripes, spots or other noticeable patterns on the body. Adult females of the species reach about 1-1 ½ inches long and are a little larger than the males. Great black wasps help control grasshopper and katydid populations. They pollinate many plants, including the fascinating rattlesnake master of the tall grass prairie.
Black wasp Pictures
Black wasp Sting Pain
Black wasps are solitary wasps they do not have a large colony to defend as do the social wasps. Therefore, they are not aggressive and only the female adult can sting. Even though they can sting, they do so only if provoked and they sense their nest is being threatened. In fact, male adults do not have the ability to sting and their only purpose in nature is to mate. Females can sting, but only do so if their nest is threatened. Great black wasps are subterranean wasps, meaning they live underground and construct small underground nests where they care for their offspring.
Black wasp Sting Swelling
Black wasp sting causes pain, swelling, warmth, and redness at the site of the sting. Itching may also be present. These symptoms begin immediately following the sting and often last for only a few hours. Depending upon the type of insect, the stinging apparatus may still be visible in the affected skin. Large local reactions have a greater degree of swelling that can last for up to a week, sometimes associated with nausea and/or tiredness. These reactions are not allergic reactions. It causes hives and flushing of the skin and difficulty breathing due to swelling of the pharynx and epiglottis and narrowing of the bronchial passages. The reaction may vary in severity from mild skin hives to life-threatening reactions.
Black wasp Sting Home remedies
Black wasp sting home remedies include the followings:
- First of all, remove the wasp’s stinger, if it is still present in the skin. This will prevent more venom from spreading.
- Place an ice cube or ice pack on it and press for about 20 minutes, will help reduce pain. Ice can also be used to help reduce the swelling that will occur. Make sure to protect the skin by covering ice with a thin cotton towel or paper towel first.
- Cover with a thick paste of baking soda and water.
- Same as baking soda above but using salt instead.
- Colloidal oatmeal mixed in water and applied to the wasp sting region helps in soothing the skin.
- Soak a small cotton pad with apple cider vinegar and hold on wound until pain disappears (the acid content neutralizes the venom).
- Same treatment as apple cider vinegar, simple vinegar can also drizzle a few drops directly onto skin (the acid content neutralizes the venom).
- Lemon Juice: Same procedure as apple cider vinegar can also drizzle a few drops directly onto skin (the acid content neutralizes the venom).
- Cut a fresh slice of lemon and hold in place over skin (the acid content neutralizes the venom).
Smother with crushed garlic then cover with a band-aid. - Slice an onion and press in place until there is no more discomfort.
- Place a freshly sliced piece of cucumber on top and hold in place.
- Cover with a sliced (uncooked) potato with the cut end side, hold in place.
- Rub with olive oil for relief and to help with healing.
- Garlic & Salt Poultice 1 clove garlic and 1/2 tsp. salt. Crush garlic then mix in the salt and apply directly to the area. Wrap with a bandage.
- Rub the flower head of a marigold over the area (must be a freshly picked marigold and not dried).
- Roughly crush a fresh leaf or two of basil to release the herb’s natural oils and press directly on area, hold in place.
- Crush the leaves of winter savory roughly to release the herb’s oils then apply.
- Aloe vera gel can also relieve pain. Split it then open the leaf and slather the aloe gel directly to the area.
- Chew a leaf or two of plantain then apply to bite.
- Both topical and oral antihistamines (such as Benadryl or Claritin) can be effective in reducing swelling and itching.
- Calamine lotion can be applied to help soothe things and relieve itching.
- A paste made with Epsom salts and water can provide relief.
- Chew tobacco a bit to wet it then apply, wrap with a strip of cloth to hold in place.
- Mix dirt with water or saliva to make a mud then apply to wound, is quite soothing.
- Press a penny on top of it and hold in place for 10 to 15 minutes until there is no more discomfort.
