The Student Room Group

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Reply 1
Put something cold on it, I haven't been stung in ages but when I have been I used to get a flannel and put ice in it (weird I know):p: but it does work.
Or fill a sink up with very cold water and soak your hand in there.:smile:
There is a special cream as well but I cannot remember the name of it.:redface:
Reply 2
Dock leaves don't work :frown: Sorry.

Google threw this up: http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Sting-from-a-Stinging-Nettle

Also:

http://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question28453.html
The stinging hairs on nettle are sharp polished spines that contain histamine, methanoic acid and formic acid, irritating chemicals that are released when the plant comes in contact with the skin.
These acids need to be neutralised with an alkali such as baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) or a dilute solution of ammonia. If you are wondering where you might obtain a dilute solution of ammonia? URINE !
Reply 3
Thanks guys, will try that!

My hand feels totally numb now, feels really weird! :s-smilie:

And the rash looks awful too, plus I have to go out in a bit!!
Reply 4
if you don't feel like weeing on your hand, anti-septic cream and germolene work for me :smile: I couldn't tell you why though. But it works for me, so it might be worth a shot. It's cleaner than urine anyway :biggrin:
dock leaves don't work very well no, but if you do feel like trying anyway, a helpful hint is that they actually usually grow near nettles....so go back to where you got stung and you should find some around there.
Reply 6
Just don't sctratch them or anything. Try putting some ice on your hand, too.
Reply 7
XenaGlamRocker
dock leaves don't work very well no, but if you do feel like trying anyway, a helpful hint is that they actually usually grow near nettles....so go back to where you got stung and you should find some around there.

Dock leaves don't work, it's a myth made up to make little kids feel better because they usually grow near nettles. If you tell the kid it will work, they'll feel better.
Reply 8
aloe vera or tea tree oil, my granny thinks they magical powers to fix everything
when i were a lad we always held cotton woll soaked in vinegar on them
Reply 10
No no no! Vinegar is an acid! It's vinegar for alkali wasp stings, and bicarbonate of soda for acidic bee and nettle stings!
Stinging nettles... my foolish youth coming back to me...
Reply 12
try calamine lotion (you know.. the pink stuff lol)
Reply 13
antihistamine
Haha yeah dock leaves are such a con. Just use something cool and soothing.
Try toothpaste, its got baking soda and bleach in it (both basic) to neutralise the acid, only prob is it'll take away any signs of tan you've developed Michael Jackson style.
Reply 16
They do work..

Fold the leaf in half several times and tear it. Put the two halves back together and tear it again. use this wadge of leaves and rub the sap on the affected area. Its the juice inside the leaves that helps.
ch0c0h01ic
Try toothpaste, its got baking soda and bleach in it (both basic) to neutralise the acid, only prob is it'll take away any signs of tan you've developed Michael Jackson style.


Um what kind of toothpaste are you using? Sounds scary lol

My sister used to put it on spots and it never turned her skin white-then again not all toothpaste has hydrogen peroxide in it.
Ahh I used to think Dock Leaves were the most helpful plant in the world. Not only to they 'cure' stings, they helpfully grow near nettles. On the plus, they (mind you most leaves) tend to be quite cool on the skin, so might make a sting feel a little better, even if it is a placebo :smile:
Talya
Dock leaves don't work, it's a myth made up to make little kids feel better because they usually grow near nettles. If you tell the kid it will work, they'll feel better.

whoa whoa whoa slow down...
dock leaves...DON'T work...

man im so disillusioned now. :P