Q. I read your column about a child who was stung by a wasp in the throat and ate raw onion to counteract it. I want to share another helpful hint.
My four-year-old daughter was stung inside her mouth when taking a sip from a Sprite can and having a bee slip into her mouth. We were at a water park. The attendants there immediately took her to first aid and gave her a big pickle to suck on. They said the vinegar from the pickle would alleviate the sting and the swelling.
Years later, while at an outdoor fair, my husband was also stung in the mouth (call us unlucky!). He bought a giant pickle and sucked on it. It worked like a charm for him.
A. A sting inside the mouth or throat is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention. That’s because the swelling could block the airways and lead to suffocation.
A few weeks ago we heard from someone who related exactly that. His brother was drinking from a bottle of soda without realizing there was a wasp inside. He was stung and his throat started closing up. In that case, eating a raw onion saved the day. Again, we must emphasize that such situations require a call to 911 and immediate medical attention.
We are glad that the pickle trick worked for both your daughter and your husband. We encourage anyone drinking a sweet beverage outside to look carefully before swigging.
