Hornet bite and its consequences, photo of the wound: what will happen if this insect bites, what to do?

A hornet bite is not just a little nuisance. In severe cases, a person injured as a result of an insect attack can die from Quincke's edema, which developed after the poison of this representative of the order of Hymenoptera penetrates into his body. This can be avoided if appropriate action is taken immediately. The health and life of the victim, especially a child, an elderly and allergy-prone person, depends on the timeliness of first aid in a hornet attack.

Who are the hornets

What a hornet looks like and how painful its bite is, those who accidentally disturb a wild insect in its shelter know. Hornet is a hymenoptera predatory insect, the largest representative of the wasp family. The body length of an adult is from 2 to 2.5 cm, and the length of the uterus reaches 3.5 cm.

Unlike the thin wasp, the hornet has a more rounded abdomen and a larger crown of the head. Another important sign: brownish-red color of the chest. In the rest of the representatives, this part of the body is painted black. Basis of the diet: flies, aphids, flower nectar or juice of various fruits. As a rule, stinging insects live in forest glades warmed by the sun, in gardens, in suburban areas.

Reference: A hornet's nest can be found in any secluded, weather-protected place: in a bush, in a firewood, on a tree, under the roof of a house, on an open summer veranda. The swarm can hold up to 1,000 individuals.

There are several dozen species of insects that live in different parts of our planet. The most common: Japanese hornet, oriental, common, deplorable, Dybowski, Asian.

Hornet species and their lifestyle

Fatigue-unaware builders construct cocoon-like nests from pieces of bark. Then insects hang them in places protected from wind or rain: in attics, in the crown of trees, in a woodpile, etc. In such houses, the female lays eggs, and the rest of the adults find food for fast-growing offspring.

Since predator colonies can be located in the most unexpected places, being outside the city, you need to be careful. Hornets themselves are not aggressive and do not attack first. However, any sudden movement near the nest or its destruction signals danger and stimulates the production of anxiety pheromone, which determines the behavior of the entire swarm.

Asian hornet nest

Asian species are especially dangerous for people, the bites of which are almost always fatal. The length of adults reaches 5.5 cm, and the poison in the sting has the strongest toxicity.

The bite of the European hornet that lives on the territory of the Russian Federation is more harmless and leads to the development of fatal complications only in the case of a rapid allergic reaction and the absence of timely anti-shock therapy.

Interesting fact: Every year in the countries of the East, a hornet bite dies from 70 to 100 people. This mortality rate is much higher than the death rate from attacks by wild animals.

How and with what the hornet bites

The method of defeat cannot be called a bite, because the insect does not bite, but stings. Powerful, developed jaws are designed for food: small midges, arthropods.The expression "hornet hits" is not without meaning, because when approaching the victim, the insect does not sit on the surface of the skin, but plunges the sting at lightning speed, literally on the fly, bending in a special way. After injecting the poison, the hornet removes the sting.

The sting, designed to protect against enemy attacks, is located at the bottom of the abdomen, and only in females. It has no jags like a bee's, which means it is suitable for multiple attacks. If a person does not threaten the peace of the swarm or individual, he is safe.

But in the case of sudden movements, attempts to kill an insect or catch it, he will not only sting the offender, but will also send a signal to the rest of the inhabitants of the nest. The fact is that during the introduction of the sting, pheromones begin to be released, notifying of the danger. Having received a signal, a whole flock of hornets, capable of biting to death, flies to the aid of their relative.

Bees

Some types of bees are not as harmless as they might seem. For example, the African bee and its hybrids, which appeared in America as invasive species, are quite aggressive and have caused a lot of harm over the past 50 years. Ordinary bees, as you know, will not take up arms if it is not necessary, and after being stung, they die.

A bee sting by itself is not fatal, but it can cause allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock, which leads to death. Unlike ordinary bees, killer bees can attack even in the case of the lightest provocation, and pounce on the victim with a whole swarm. These bees kill people and livestock.

What is characteristic of a hornet bite

It is almost impossible to die from one bite of a European hornet. However, the complex chemical composition of the poison that enters the victim's body causes a number of negative reactions. As a rule, the insect infects the open areas of the body or the face.

When a sting is introduced, the insect injects 0.5-2.0 mg of poison into the wound, causing an acute negative reaction of the victim's body.

note! With a bite on the face, urgent help is especially important - toxic substances reduce visual function. The swelling rapidly expands to the eyes, which cannot be opened.

If a hand is damaged, fingers cannot be moved. If the leg is a person is unable to walk because of pain.

The appearance of urticaria is a harbinger of Quincke's edema. Tumors that occupy large areas grow within an hour and do not subside within 10–48 hours. This complication is very dangerous, as swelling of the larynx makes it difficult to breathe and can lead to suffocation.

A hornet bite can be identified by the following features:

the bite site looks swollen, increasing several times, swells, turns red;
the place where the sting penetrates unbearably hurts and itches;
heart rate increases;
body temperature rises;
dizzy;
lymph nodes increase;
inflamed abscesses form on the skin;
blood pressure drops sharply.

If a person has a tendency to allergic reactions, the following are added to the above signs:

nausea, sometimes vomiting;
confusion of speech;
hands and feet get cold;
clouding of consciousness;
in some cases, there is cyanosis of the neck, eyelids, lips, ears;
soft tissues swell, asthma attacks appear;

red rashes, peeling appear on the skin.

First aid to a person (child and adult) stung by a hornet

The bites of such a dangerous insect as a hornet cannot be ignored, since the consequences largely depend on the timeliness of first aid. In a number of cases, therapeutic actions, provided no later than 15–20 minutes from the moment of the attack, can prevent the death of the victim.

To help the bitten one at home, you need:

Carefully examine the affected area for a sting

If it remains in the wound (it is extremely rare), you need to carefully remove it with disinfected tweezers. Treat the wound with any antiseptic available in the home. It can be alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, a weakly concentrated solution of potassium permanganate

In the absence of these funds, rinse the affected area with plenty of running water. Apply ice or any food from the freezer to the inflamed area. To neutralize the poisonous substance and relieve itching, treat the affected area with saline, an aspirin tablet diluted in water, freshly squeezed juice of cucumber, parsley or dandelion greens. Give the victim an antihistamine.

The bitten one needs to drink a lot. You can drink it with plain water or warm tea. This measure will significantly reduce the intoxication of the body.

Medical assistance to the victim is required in the following cases:

significant increase in body temperature;
muscle cramps;
loss of consciousness;
hallucinations;
severe weakness;
indomitable vomiting;
extensive edema and their aggravation;
inflammation of the lymph nodes;
age up to 16 years.

You should also consult a doctor if an insect has bitten in the face, neck, areas where large blood vessels are located. When transporting a bitten person to a medical institution on their own, 2 important rules must be observed:

position the victim's head so that it is below body level;
put the person to be transported - in no case should he sit.

When providing emergency assistance, you cannot:

give the victim alcohol;
use the drug "Diprazin" as an antihistamine - this drug can cause a similar reaction in the body;
cauterize, rub or warm the affected area;
treat the wound with brilliant green or iodine;
try to squeeze poison out of the wound.

Hornet venom and its effect on the body

The poisonous substance injected by the hornet under the skin of the victim is protective in nature, which explains the pain of the bite. The components that make up the venom are found in rattlesnakes and other representatives of the animal world. The most dangerous components are:

Acetylcholine. Activates nerve endings. Getting into the tissues, it leads to irritation of the nerve nodes, the appearance of impulses and severe pain in the affected area.
Phospholipase A2. A combination of enzymes that destroy cell walls. This substance bears a resemblance to a component of snake venom. Leads to vascular damage, hemorrhage, the formation of suppuration.
Orientotoxin. Dissolves cell membranes, allowing their contents to escape into the intercellular space. Destroys cellular structures.
Histamine. Activates a rapid allergic reaction.
Mastoparan. Releases histamine.
Mandorotoxin. Blocks the functions of the nervous system.
Biogenic amines. Provoke malfunctions in the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Cause arrhythmia, difficulty breathing.

The rest of the components act as catalysts, enhancing the reaction of tissues, accelerating the spread of toxic substances.

Complications and consequences

Further complications and negative consequences from a hornet bite will be determined by several factors:

the age category of the victim;
the body's tendency to allergic manifestations;
how many bites were inflicted and in which parts of the body. The more there are, the more serious the reaction will be. The most unsafe bite areas are the face, neck, mucous membranes, eyes;
the general state of human health.

A couple of minutes after the insect has left a sting, people develop nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and characteristic symptoms of intoxication. The consequences for children or the elderly can be unforeseen.If an allergic reaction begins against the background of a toxic substance entering the body, then Quincke's edema may develop, in which a person loses the ability to breathe on his own due to a strong swelling of the larynx. The work of the cardiovascular system may be disrupted, in rare cases, cardiac arrest is observed. If professional assistance is not provided, especially with multiple bites, a person may die.
We advise you to read how to apply honey for the face.

Actions for a bite at home

If a hornet has bitten, you do not need to panic, since this will only intensify the negative reaction of the body, which will not slow down to affect the condition of the victim. The most important thing is to stop the allergic reaction as soon as possible.

Severe symptoms of intoxication can greatly scare the victim, especially the child. However, you shouldn't lose your presence of mind. It is important to remember that timely and competently provided first aid will help to avoid the development of dangerous consequences of a bite.

First aid

When a hornet bites, it is important to remember that the condition of the victim depends on how competently first aid was provided to him. Here are the main recommendations of experts:

Help the victim move away from the site of the insect attack, seat him in a comfortable position, loosen tight-fitting clothing: belt, cuffs, collar.
Examine the bite site. If the hornet was killed during the attack, fragments of the sting may remain in the wound. They must be removed with alcohol-treated tweezers.
Try to suck off the venom as soon as possible and then rinse the bite with cold water.
Treat the affected area with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or other antibacterial agent.
Wipe the bite with alcohol, eau de toilette or vodka.
Apply a tight bandage slightly above the focus to prevent the spread of the poison throughout the body. It is removed after 30 minutes.
Apply a compress with ice or just something cold.
To prevent the development of an allergic reaction, give the victim an antihistamine.
Provide the victim with plenty of drinking water, preferably non-carbonated mineral water.
If the allergy still manifests itself, take the victim to the nearest medical facility or call an ambulance.

First aid

All people should remember that insects are not the first to attack, you should not provoke a hornet bite. What to do when a child becomes a victim? Coping with the pain and consequences of an insect attack is not always easy, even for an adult. Calling a doctor or visiting a hospital is recommended if there are obvious signs of severe intoxication:

large swelling that interferes with the necessary vital activity;
severe pain;
a sharp deterioration in health;
pronounced allergic reaction.

If a child has survived a hornet bite, the following recommendations will prompt what to do at home:

calm and give an antihistamine (suprastin, loratadine, claritin, tavegil) to relieve allergies, block receptors that cause edema;
take off tight clothes, open a window for fresh air;
inspect the site of the lesion, perhaps a broken sting remains there. You can remove it using cosmetic tweezers;
apply cold to the site of the bite for 10-15 minutes to slow the spread of the toxin in the tissues. If ice is used, then it is required to wrap it in a thick cloth;
treat the bite site with an antiseptic solution or a product containing acid to neutralize harmful substances (lemon juice, acetylsalicylic acid), lubricate with Fenistil gel;
apply a tight bandage above the bite site for 30 minutes to prevent the spread of the poison throughout the body.

It is possible to reduce intoxication by taking mineral water. It is not worth reducing the elevated temperature if it does not exceed 38 ° C.Seeing a doctor is mandatory if the child has not reached the age of 16, if several insect injections have occurred. The medical institution will determine whether a hornet bite is dangerous for a person, what treatment is necessary to prevent complications.
In rare cases, the weakened body of the victim may not be able to cope with the load - the person loses consciousness. Before the arrival of the ambulance team, you need to put the bitten in a horizontal position so that the legs are slightly above the head to ensure blood flow to the heart.

It is possible to cope independently with the treatment of a single bite with a stable condition of the victim. It should be noted that if an allergic reaction to a bee sting has already manifested itself, then the defeat of the hornet will cause more intense signs of intoxication, possible complications, and medical attention will be required.

Out of ignorance, sometimes assistance measures are erroneous.

Absolutely forbidden:

taking alcohol to relieve pain - causes an increase in edema;
cauterize the bite with a red-hot object - the wound increases;
warm up the affected area - intoxication increases.

Why a hornet bite is dangerous for humans

For a healthy person who is not prone to allergies, the maximum danger is posed by more than 20 bites at a time. Almost 96% of the victims have negative reactions of the body. For the remaining 4%, the hornet bite passes without consequences.

At risk:

allergy sufferers who may develop severe allergic reactions leading to laryngeal edema, death. However, such complications arise only when the victim does not receive qualified first aid;
persons who have been attacked by insects again - the consequences will be more severe than the first time;
a strong negative reaction is observed if a child with an unformed immune system has become a victim;
if the hornet stung in the head, neck or the zone of passage of large vessels, arteries.

The consequences of a hornet bite

The body's response depends on the age and physical condition of the victim, the presence of chronic pathologies, his predisposition to allergies and the number of bites.

If no special first aid measures have been taken, the danger lies in the development of the following consequences:

infection and suppuration of the bite site;
multiple hemorrhages, which is especially likely with multiple bites;
local tissue necrosis;
renal failure;
heart failure;
with individual intolerance to poison - anaphylactic shock;
fatal outcome.

Treatment

In the hospital, the condition of the victim is diagnosed, and medications are prescribed. The most severe condition of anaphylactic shock is eliminated with the help of hemodynamic drugs, infusion therapy.

If necessary, use adrenaline to expand the airways, increase blood pressure. Compensation for fluid deficiency is carried out by infusion of sodium chloride solution. The respiratory system is under the control of doctors. In case of large laryngeal edema, a tracheotomy is performed.

The severity of complications largely depends on the localization of the bite, the resources of the victim's body.

The ingress of poison into the neck, head, large vessels leads to severe forms of intoxication, long recovery.

Home treatment for moderate manifestations of inflammation is carried out with the help of pharmacy drugs or folk remedies.

Apply to the lesion site:

gruel from a mixture of baking soda and crushed aspirin tablets diluted with water;
finely chopped parsley leaves, mashed plantain;
a mixture of mashed raw cucumber, potatoes, apple.

To relieve pain, reduce swelling, the bite site is wiped with a diluted solution of table vinegar, dandelion juice.A few days of rest, rest, drinking plenty of water will normalize the condition, improve well-being.

Prevention of hornet bites

To protect yourself from the attack of poisonous insects, it is enough to follow the recommendations:

When choosing a place for a picnic, pre-inspect green spaces to identify insect nests.
Avoid sudden movements when spotting stinging insects.
Having found a nest, do not try to knock it down with a stick or destroy it.
Do not knock on wood or roofs if you find a nest there.
Stay away from that nest location.
Going out of town, do not use perfumes with floral or fruity aromas.

Severe consequences of the attack

An allergy to a hornet bite is perhaps the most dangerous consequence of an attack by this insect for humans. In people with hypersensitivity to poison, the body's immune response can proceed in a very severe form, sometimes turning into anaphylactic shock and ending in death.

You can never be sure for sure in the body's reaction to an insect bite, because it does not depend on the physical condition, and its severity is largely determined by genetic factors. Therefore, if a hornet bite does happen, you need to carefully monitor the symptoms that appear and your condition in general.

Feedback
“Last year, two people were admitted to our hospital with anaphylactic shock after being bitten by hornets. One was unconscious, the other was in a semi-faint state. In both cases, a single bite was the cause. In one patient, due to edema, the patency of the upper airways was impaired; despite our efforts and the use of serious drugs, he died of acute renal failure. The surviving patient admitted that he did not know if the hornets bite and tried to simply drive away the insect that had come to the smell of dried fish. "
Tian Li, Huangdu

An allergic reaction of the body almost always follows the same "scenario". However, do not forget that its intensity in different people is absolutely individual, therefore, how far the allergy will go in its manifestations depends specifically on the body of the victim himself. However, let's highlight all the possible symptoms as they appear.

The first sign of the body's immune response is the actual inflammation at the site of the bite. It is typical for all stung.
Then palpitations, headaches begin to appear, and an increase in body temperature is noted.
Further, a person's lymph nodes increase, nausea and diarrhea may appear.
In rare cases, renal failure develops.

If any of these symptoms appear, the victim must be immediately taken to the hospital, since without medical assistance the risk of death is quite high. In the case of a high sensitivity of the body (which the bitten person may not know about), even a simple inflammation can quickly develop into more serious manifestations.

Important!
Mortality from anaphylactic shock after a hornet bite, even with timely treatment, is 15-20%.

Particular attention should be focused on a very important fact: the severity of allergies increases with each new sting of any Hymenoptera. This means that if once a bee sting, for example, had allergic consequences, then more serious complications can be expected from a meeting with a hornet.

How to avoid a hornet bite

In order not to think about what will happen if a hornet bites, it is important to follow the rules of behavior that exclude such a possibility:

first of all - attention and caution, because insects can be anywhere;
no aggression;
the distance from the hornet nest is more than 5 meters.

Important to remember, that even a single hornet bite can provoke life-threatening conditions, sending the victim to a hospital bed.

The severity of the lesion depends on the type of attacker, the level of toxicity, and the amount of poison released. And in order to protect yourself from the dangerous consequences of a bite, going into nature you need to remember about a special case of "first aid".

Risk areas

You need to be especially careful about hornet bites, which fell on the connections of large arteries, blood vessels and lymph nodes. A sting stuck in such a part of the body throws poison directly into the bloodstream and thereby forces the body to respond to toxins and histamines very quickly.

Hand after a bite

This cuts precious minutes for emergency support. If, for some reason, doctors are delayed, and there are no first aid funds at hand, this can have the most sad consequences for the victim.

Highlight:

the area of the armpits;
areas under the knees;
groin area;
head and neck;
face and eyes;
lips, inside of the mouth and larynx.

Information for allergy sufferers

Medicines for allergy sufferers
It is especially important to find out what to do when a hornet bites at home, for people who have a predisposition to allergic reactions. There are special rules of conduct for them:

It is imperative to always have an effective anti-allergenic drug with you, the prolonged-release agents include: Cetrin, Claritin, Erius, Fexofenadine, etc.
Have in the first-aid kit preparations for removing toxins: activated or white charcoal, Polysorb, Smecta, Enterosgel, etc.
Issue a special medical passport with possible reactions, where information about medications and their effects is entered to relieve negative symptoms.
Inform family and friends about possible allergies to insect bites or other types of illness.

In order to properly deal with insect bites, you need to clearly know what not to do: