Question

Which chemical is injected into the skin of a person:
(a) during an an's sting?
(b) during the nettle leaf hair sting?
How can the effect of these stings be neutralised?

Answer 1

(a) Methanoic acid is injected into the skin of a person during an ant sting.
(b) Methanoic acid is injected into the skin during a nettle-leaf-hair sting.

Both an ant sting and a nettle-leaf-hair sting are acidic, as methanoic acid is injected into the body, which causes severe pain and an itching sensation. Applying a baking soda solution (a base) on the skin soothes the pain by neutralising the acid. Thus, the effect of these stings is neutralised.