Kenyan wildlife is a site to behold. A site so magnificent in fact, that spending your whole life without having seen it in person at least once is just a crime! However, like every other good thing, Kenyan safaris have a flaw… insects. Well, the insects themselves are a significant part of the ecosystem but then they also could bite and sting you. The most notorious culprits being ants, bees and wasps. Thankfully, most of the bites and stings can be managed at home so knowing the following home remedies can come in handy when in Safari.
Baking soda
Baking soda is nothing short of a miracle commodity. It is not only useful in the kitchen and laundry areas, but it is also a medicinal wonder. If you happen to get a bee or ant sting, applying a baking soda paste over the affected area should offer some relief instantly. This is because both ant and bee stings are slightly acidic and the alkaline nature of baking soda helps to neutralize their venom.
Vinegar
In the event that the sting is from a wasp, then vinegar should be your go-to remedy. Vinegar has an acidic nature, so gently smearing a diluted solution over the affected area will give you some relief from the pain.
Ice compress
Once the sting or bite venom has been neutralized, the next step should be keeping the swelling down. Putting an ice pack gently over the wound in alternating periods will allow for easy movement of blood through the area. The low temperatures of ice also lead to contraction of the skin which reduces the swelling effect.
Antihistamines
Ant bites and wasp and bee stings can cause mild irritation that can result to itchiness and eventual rash. Taking an antihistamine should help reduce the itchiness and gradually clear out the rash.
Soap and water
Make sure to use scentless and if possible antibacterial soap. However common bar soaps should do the trick. Gently clean the affected area with the soap and then rinse with cold running water. Soap helps clean out the venom from the wound. Using scentless soap is a precaution to avoid adding unnecessary alkalinity or acidity to the wound.
NB:
- If you get a bee sting, make sure to remove the stinger that remains lodged in your skin to reduce any more damage.
- If you are highly allergic to bee, wasp or ant stings and bites, carry an EpiPen with you at all times to avoid going into an anaphylactic shock.
- Insect bites and sting symptoms should clear within a few days. Prolonged swelling, pain and irritation should, therefore, be reported to the doctor immediately.
- Having insect repellents and proper safari attire can greatly reduce the chances of you getting attacked by the insects.
