Stinging Nettle

The stinging nettle plant is a herbaceous flowering plant found in Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and North America.

The leaves and stems of this plant are covered with brittle, hollow, silky hairs.

These hairs can detach from the plant and stick to the skin, but even brushing contact with these nettles against bare skin can cause a problem.

The silky hairs contain three chemicals:

  • Histamine, which irritates the skin
  • Acetylcholine, which causes a burning feeling
  • Serotonin

Any contact with these hairs on the skin can cause a painful rash that looks and feels similar to contact with poison ivy.

If you have wandered into stinging nettles and have been hurt by the nettles, it is essential to treat the affected area of your skin as soon as possible. The longer you wait to treat the area, the worse the stinging pain and itching will get.

Natural Remedies for Nettle Sting:

If you had the misfortune of coming in contact with a stinging nettle plant, you must treat the area as soon as possible. Here are a few general guidelines that will help.

  • You must avoid touching the infected area with your bare hands as any of the tiny stinging hairs or the chemical residue that causes pain can be transferred to other parts of your body and cause problems with your hands.
  • The stinging sensation from exposure to stinging nettles can last from half an hour to a few days, depending on your skin’s sensitivity. You should contact a doctor if you have an allergic reaction to the nettles, if the pain lasts more than 24 hours, or if the pain becomes unbearable.
  • As soon as you can thoroughly clean the affected area.
  • Because the nettle sting is from a substance called formic acid, you can try to clear it with other acids or alkaline substances.

Clean the Infected Area:

Once you are away from the nettles, you should carefully clean any mud, dirt, or debris from the area. Use clean, cold water on a cloth, towel, or rag. Do not rub, or you will increase the pain and spread the chemicals to other areas. Use dabbing motions.

Baking Soda:

Baking soda is one of the most effective treatments for the acidic chemicals in the nettles. As soon as you can make a paste with baking soda and water, dab the paste with a cloth on the affected area. Do not use your hand to do this. If you don’t have baking soda, vinegar can be used as a substitute.

Aloe Vera:

Another effective treatment is aloe vera gel or pulp. This anti-inflammatory can help with pain, swelling, and any rash.

Saliva:

If you have an area irritated with stinging nettles, you can spit on the location and possibly get some temporary pain relief. If you have a cloth clear of nettles, rub the spit with the fabric.

Do not touch the cloth or the area of your skin with your mouth, as the stinging nettles can transfer. If you have any tape or a bandage, then put this tape over the saliva. This is a temporary cure that you can use until you get to a location with other ingredients that can be used.

For all of these treatments, it is essential to allow the treated area to dry in the open air and not expose it to other clothing, substances, or surfaces.

Removing Stinging Nettle Hairs:

If you can see the stinging nettle hairs on your skin, you need to remove them carefully so they don’t spread to your clothing or other areas of your body. One way to remove them is to use some adhesive tape.

Apply the tape to the area and lift it off; this will remove the stinging nettle with the tape. To clean the site further, use hydrogen peroxide with a cotton ball. Again, keep your bare hands and fingers from touching the infected area.

Mud:

If you don’t have baking soda or aloe vera, you can dab mud on the infected area. Once the soil dries, brush it off, and this action will hopefully remove any stinging hairs still on the skin.