"Particularly dangerous"

Waldviertel man (80) suffocated after wasp sting!

Wasp stings in the throat and pharynx can be fatal.

(Bild: APA Pool/APA/dpa/Bernd Weißbrod)

Fatal tragedy in the district of Zwettl: a pensioner was stung in the throat by a wasp in such an unfortunate way that there was no help for the 80-year-old. The Red Cross is now also warning: "Stings in the throat can be life-threatening even without allergic shock!"

The tragic incident occurred last Friday at around 6 p.m.: friends of the 80-year-old, who had been together at the fishing huts at Weyrerteich in the municipality of Ottenschlag, immediately raised the alarm. They were also the ones who administered first aid and began resuscitating Paul H.. Unfortunately in vain.

"Stitches in the mouth or throat are particularly dangerous," warns Dr. Berndt Schreiner, chief physician and medical director of the rescue service at the Red Cross in Lower Austria. This is because there is an acute risk of suffocation due to the severe swelling. Even if there is no allergy.

What to do if stung in the throat area?
According to the doctor, the airways must be kept as clear as possible. "To relieve the swelling, you can suck ice and cool the throat with cold compresses," says Schreiner. Those affected should also sit upright and remain calm. If breathing difficulties occur, contact an emergency doctor immediately.

Of course, allergy sufferers are particularly at risk. "In the worst case scenario, this can lead to anaphylactic shock, which paralyzes the entire cardiovascular system." An allergic reaction can be recognized by large areas of redness, severe swelling and itching all over the body, vomiting, shortness of breath or circulatory collapse.