The piercing of the skin by an insect which passes a toxic substance into the bloodstream.
A sharp, smarting sensation, as of a wound or astringent.
Pointed formations, present on either plants or animals, which release venom or irritants, are referred to as stinging structures. Creatures that possess such structures include scorpions, certain insects, jellyfish, and specific types of fish. Likewise, certain plants with stinging structures might induce allergic skin reactions.
A sharp prick with an acute burning sensation. It can be caused when the fine hairs on the stinging nettle—the stinging organ located in the tail of the wasp and bee, the head of gnats, or the claws of centipedes inject poison into the skin. The skin reaction is usually of a local, temporary, reversible inflammatory type, but if the sting apparatus carries pollen this may cause a violent constitutional reaction in hypersensitive people. Some people can become so sensitized by a sting that on receiving a subsequent sting of the same type, they develop an anaphylactic reaction, which has, on occasions, killed the victim. If the insect’s sting apparatus is still embedded in the skin, it should be gently eased out with the point of a sterile needle rather than squeezed, for squeezing merely empties more of the poison into the wound. Since the insect may have carried germs to the spot on its feet, first aid consists of applying an antiseptic and then either a soothing cream made up of bicarbonate of soda or calamine lotion. Doctors sometimes prescribe the application of an antihistamine cream, and, in severe cases, the taking of an antihistamine tablet internally.