Injection of Venom
No one likes to get stung by any kind of insect, especially a hornet, which has a tendency to be aggressive when protecting a colony. A hornet stings primarily for the purpose of killing its prey, and that sting contains less venom than that of bees. However, a hornet can sting multiple times without being injured or affected, making it one nasty adversary. Upon being stung, the hornet will inject a protein venom into your skin which results in pain. Some type of reaction is to be expected, but an allergic reaction needs immediate attention.
The Body Reacts
After such a sting, it is normal to experience redness, pain, swelling and itching at the site. It is your body's way of informing you that something isn't quite right. However, if symptoms are more severe than mere irritation, chances are you may be experiencing an allergic reaction.
Allergic Reaction Occurs
An allergic reaction to any type of sting occurs when the body's immune system overreacts to the allergens found in the insect's venom. The body goes on the defensive against the venom. Minor allergic reactions will result in itching and swelling at the sting site, fatigue, nausea and even a low fever. Although the reaction will seem extreme, it typically does not require medical attention. A more serious reaction to the sting will spread throughout the entire body. This is known as anaphylaxis. The victim may feel faint, pass out, have difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue, experience wheezing, coughing, confusion and shock. It can even result in death. The reaction time for symptoms to appear can be a few seconds to 20 minutes. Medical attention is required if such a reaction takes place.
Tags: allergic reaction