Nettle stings:
- Wash the area with soap and water.
- Avoid scratching the area.
- Seek medical assistance if discomfort persists.
What are nettle stings?
Nettle stings can be itchy and you may feel a stinging or burning sensation. This will usually settle down within a few minutes or a few days and you can often treat them yourself. They may cause a raised area nettle rash on the skin.
Signs and symptoms
Look for:
- a stinging sensation
- white or red spots
- red, raised patches.
What to do
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Wash the affected area with soap and water as soon as possible.
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Avoid scratching or rubbing the itchy area.
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The discomfort should improve within a couple of hours. Seek medical assistance if it continues.
- If the casualty is known to be allergic to nettle stings, they may have their own medication, such as an auto-injector.
- If the irritation is severe, cooling the skin with a damp cloth or ice pac (a pack of frozen vegetables wrapped in a tea towel) may be useful.
- A pharmacist will be able to advise regarding the use of antihistamines and creams to relieve the irritation.
- In very rare cases an individual may have a severe allergic reaction to a nettle sting. If so, please follow the severe allergic reaction advice linked in top bullet point in this section and seek urgent medical help.
