Why do Stinging Nettles sting?
370512
The stinging nettle is a herbaceous perennial, growing to 1-2 m tall in the summer and dying down to the ground in winter. It has very distinctively yellow, widely spreading roots. The soft green leaves are 3-15 cm long, with a strongly serrated margin, a cordate base and an acuminate tip. Both the leaves and the stems are covered with brittle, hollow, silky hairs that were thought to contain formic acid as a defence against grazing animals; but recent research has revealed the cause of the sting to be from three chemicals - a histamine to irritate the skin, acetylcholine to bring on a burning sensation and hydroxytryptamine to encourage the other two chemicals (Elliott 1997). Bare skin brushing up against a stinging nettle plant will break the delicate defensive hairs and release the trio of chemicals, usually resulting in a temporary and painful skin rash.
1051677
Heck yeah, I hate them! I am like a magnet for these stupid things, even if I'm not wearing perfume or something that smells good, they still follow me. And you can't chase them away, they get more aggressive. I was never stung, but I am petrified of them for some reason.
361442
the purpose of nerves is to transport pain and pleasure so i don't think organizims without them feel either as we know it , but there is not way to know,some plants react to stimuli and they do not have nerves so it is a great qiestion that there may be no answer to
374134
Their bite may irritate a spot on your skin, but they are not poisonous- as long as you are referring to the true house spider Tegenaria gigantea/domestica.  So the place it bites may swell and itch or be sore and irritated, but nothing more than that.
59975
the rash is generally caused by irritation from tiny hair like objects that the leaf of various plant such as Poison Ivy have on the surface.  These hairs enter your skin and the rash is the effect of your body trying to eject the foriegn objects from the skin, I believ that the leaves may also contain certain types of toxins that your body reacts to.
630794
They are arachnids.\n\nhttp://www.desertusa.com/oct96/du_scorpion.html\n\n"The venom of this scorpion can cause severe pain and swelling at the site of the sting, numbness, frothing at the mouth, respiratory difficulties, muscle twitching, and convulsions. The sting is more dangerous to infants, small children and the elderly. Death is rare, especially in more recent times."
765510
I would say it like being stuck with a hot needle. Fire ants anyway. The pain last for a good while about like a wasp are yellow jacket sting
1144144
It was already known that some people produce "come and get me" smells which appeal to the blood-suckers. \n\nRothamsted Research, in Herts, found those less likely to be bitten produced odours which masked these scents. \n\nThe natural repellent could be used to protect everyone from the bugs, suggests the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
666076
The reason the plant makes urushiol, the chemical that causes the reaction, is to protect itself from herbivores- Plants cant run or fight back, so they use chemical warfare.\n\nUrishiol penetrates the outer layer of skin until it hits the dermis, and in the dermis an allergic reaction to the urushiol occurs.\n\nIt takes a few hours to a day to get the reaction, and can last a week- In some, it's a massive allergic response that causes pain, itching, swelling, formation of large blisters and pustules that ooze pus-it can even scar the skin
1085241
Because the balls are very sensitive.  They are a vital organ.  It hurts so much because they are on the outside of your body.  That's like if your heart was on the outside and someone hit you in it.  It would hurt like hell.  You might even die. That's why they hurt because they are outside the body all exposed.
1009258
Sounds like a type of mite. They can cause rashes and skin irritation. And they can cause asthma attacks and allergies.
8616
I use to raise honeybees many oldtimers swear that being stung by the bees on the affected area can aleveate pain and swelling from arthritis. Be careful if you have insect bite allergies!!
797465
Health Benefits of Nettle: \n\nCleanses the blood \nHigh in vitamins A and C \nImproves liver and kidney functions \nEases coughs and other respiratory problems \nRelieves diarrhea and constipation
265786
PLZ TAKE YOUR CHILD TO THE ER ASAP. THERE CAN BE A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON SUCH AS POISON OR ALLERGIES TO WHATEVER STUNG THEM.
343420
I am a Paramedic and see this all of the time.  As long as there is no Uticaria (Rash) or difficulties breathing which normally show up within several minutes to several hours after being stung. There should not be any alarm.  As others have suggested Ice is and an OTC (over the counter) Benydryl should help.  Be very watchful to make sure the swelling does not spread.  It is never a bad idea to contact your child's Doctor with any questions you may have.  He/She knows your child best medically and is more qualified to make definitive medical decisions.  I hope this helps.
1071802
My daughter is exactly the same but she has been like right from the first time she was stung. The only way we know she's been stung is when we find bee stings stuck in her skin.\nShe & you are very lucky but don't get complacent because if you get stung too many times at once you could go into anaphylactic shock.
674115
They die because their skin is not waterproof like our is. When you put salt on them the dry salt causes water to flow straight out through the skin. That causes massive dehydration and they basically dies of thirst.\n\nIf you've ever had salt get into a cut or blister you have experienced the human equivalent. Because the skin is broken it is no longer waterproof and the salt causes a stinging sensation and localised tissue death.\n\nYou may want to think about how that feels next time you pour salt on a snail.