No, they are not bees. Yes, they look like bees, size-wise and also in overall appearance, but no they are yellow jackets, and if you have been stung by one of these, here are the home remedies for yellow jacket stings that will treat you in no time.
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So what are yellow jackets exactly? These are wasps with black and yellow stripes all over their body, and you will see them, most of the time, foraging for food. These creatures do not sting unless you physically threaten them, or if they feel threatened in any way, they will sting you in defense.
According to Healthline,
“Yellow jackets — properly known as Vespula, Dolichovespula, or Paravespula — are thin wasps with black and yellow coloring and long dark wings. Their stripes often cause them to be confused with honey bees, although bees tend to be rounder in appearance. Unlike bees, which create hives that produce honey, yellow jackets live in nests, which can be found in secluded areas or the ground.”
As goes with most insect stings, yellow jacket stings too hurt a lot. A single wasp can deliver multiple stings, mind you.
Suggested read: All You Need To Know About Treating Bee Stings With Home Remedies
The symptoms of a mild sting include, redness, swelling, itching, inflammation, pain. These cases of minor sting can be cured with simple kitchen remedies. In case of severe stings, you will have to seek medical attention immediately. These acute cases include symptoms like,
- Difficulty swallowing
- Slurred speech
- Confusion, weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Tightness in the chest
- Swelling of the tongue
- Vomiting
- Fainting
For the mild cases, however, you can try our home remedies. These are easy, simple and yet extremely effective. Before trying any treatment, you need to make sure the stinger is not stuck or embedded into your skin. If it is, then you need to scrape it away first. Do this with a blunt knife. You can also do this using a pair of tweezers. After scraping off the stinger, wash the area with soap and water to avoid infection.
Remember to not squeeze the stinger out. This might result in the release of more venom into your blood. That, in turn, will worsen the condition.
Try these natural and effective remedies to treat the symptoms of yellow jacket stings.
Home remedies for yellow jacket stings
Here are the top 10 home remedies to treat yellow jacket stings.
1. Cold Compresses
The first remedy on our list is cold compress. Applying cold compress on the stung area can help reduce the swelling and the inflammation in a jiffy.
According to a study published in 2006 in the Clinical Techniques in Small Animal Practice the cold compress with some topical lidocaine can successfully treat yellow jacket stings. In place of the topical lidocaine, one can also use corticosteroid lotions.
For the remedy, take some cold water in a bowl. Now add some ice cubes into the bowl, and put a piece of clean and soft cloth in it. Place the cloth on the stung area. Remember to wring out the excess water first. Leave the cloth on for about 10 minutes.
You might want to repeat this at least thrice, and a few times through the day.
Remember not to put the ice directly on the affected area as it can cause frostbite.
2. Baking Soda
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The next remedy for yellow jacket stings is baking soda. It is an amazing natural treatment for these painful and itchy stings. The soda is alkaline in nature, which helps balance the acid in the sting, thus providing instant relief from the symptoms associated with the stings.
Also, baking soda is an anti-inflammatory agent, which reduces not just the swelling caused by yellow jacket stings, but also the inflammation and the redness.
For the remedies, you need to mix a teaspoon of baking soda with some water. Prepare a consistent paste. Now apply it on the stung area. Massage lightly for at least 5 minutes. Now rinse off with water. Lukewarm water is better.
You can repeat the remedy after every three hours for quick relief.
3. Vinegar
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For this remedy, you can try either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Both work effectively on not only yellow jacket stings, but all kinds of insect bites. The vinegar contains acetic acid which is anti-inflammatory, and therefore, reduces both swelling and inflammation.
The alkaline nature of the vinegar neutralizes the acid in the venom. This will instantly reduce the pain and swelling associated with the wasp sting.
Begin by soaking a clean cotton ball in some raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar. Now squeeze out the excess of the vinegar and place the cotton ball on the affected area for at least 5 minutes.
You should repeat the remedy as and when needed.
4. Honey
To treat yellow jacket stings, try honey. This provides instant relief from all the symptoms associated with the wasp sting, such as inflammation, itching, redness and pain.
Honey contains certain enzymes which neutralize the acid in the sting. This will reduce the itching in a few minutes.
Also, honey is antibacterial, which means it will prevent further infection.
For the remedy, simply apply pure honey on the affected area and leave it on for half an hour, by then the honey should dry up. Now rinse it off with water; lukewarm water is the best. Now apply some soothing lotion on the area.
You can repeat the remedy as and when needed.
5. Plantain
Try plantain leaves to treat your yellow jacket stings. According to health experts, the therapeutic properties of plantain leaves make it extremely effective on all kinds of stings and insect bites.
Plantain leaves are anti-inflammatory which controls the pain and the swelling quickly.
Also, applying plantain leaves will keep infections at bay as the leaves are anti-bacterial.
For the remedy, you need to extract juice from plantain leaves. To do that, crush clean leaves with your hands. No gently apply the juice on your affected area and allow it to dry. Now wash the area with water.
You can repeat the remedy as and when required.
Suggested read: 11 Home Remedies For Keloids Which Will Make Your Scars Disappear Naturally
6. Onion
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A very effective natural treatment for yellow jacket stings is onion. Onions reduce the symptoms of yellow jacket stings, such as swelling, pain, itching and inflammation. It soothes the area thus providing comfort and relief.
Also, onions help keep bees and wasps away due to its strong and repulsive smell.
For the remedy, slice an onion. Now rub it on to the affected area. Rub gently for at least 5 minutes. Leave the juice on for a few more minutes. After 15 minutes, clean the area with lukewarm water.
You can repeat the remedy whenever you want to.
An alternative to this remedy is to put a slice of onion on the stung area and wrap the area with a gauze. Leave it on for half an hour, and then take it off. Clean the area with lukewarm water.
Repeat the remedy as and when needed.
7. Aspirin
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Did you know aspirin can help treat yellow jacket stings? Yes, it neutralizes the acid in venom, thus treating the symptoms associated with yellow jacket stings.
Aspirin is also an effective anti-inflammatory agent, which control swelling as well as itching excellently.
For the remedy, you need to mix 3 regular aspirins in some water. Prepare a thin and consistent paste, and apply it on the stung area. Leave it on till the paste dries up completely. Then rinse off with lukewarm water.
You can repeat the remedy as and when needed.
8. Ammonia
The next remedy you can try on your yellow jacket stings is ammonia, which owing to its alkaline nature, neutralizes the acid of the venom. It also cures the symptoms of pain, inflammation and itching associated with stings.
For the remedy, soak a clean cotton ball into some household ammonia, and dab it on to the stung area.
You should repeat the remedy as and when needed.
Since many people are allergic to ammonia, you should try a patch test first before applying it on to the affected area.
9. White Toothpaste
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Applying white paste sounds so simple, but did you know it provides instant relief to yellow jacket stings? The basicity in the paste neutralizes the acidic venom. It treats the symptoms like pain, inflammation and swelling associated with yellow jacket stings. Remember, however, to use only white paste, and not whitening, gel or colored toothpaste.
For the remedy, begin by dabbing some of the toothpaste on the stung area. Leave it on for a couple of hours. Now wash it off with lukewarm water.
You can repeat the remedy after every three hours.
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That is all we have on today’s post on home remedies for yellow jacket stings. Was this helpful? Will you be recommending it to others too? If you have some remedies that you would like to share with us, then please do so in the comment section below.
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