(a) During an ant’s sting?

(b) During the nettle leaf hair sting?

How can the effect of these stings be neutralised?

(a) During an ant’s sting, methanoic acid is injected into the victim’s skin. Because the ant sting is acidic, it causes itching and agony when injected into the body. Baking soda, which acts as a base, will neutralise the acid, so removing the sting.

(b) During a nettle leaf hair sting, methanoic acid is injected into the victim’s skin. When injected into the body, the nettle leaf hair sting is acidic, causing itching and suffering. When a base, such as baking soda, is applied, it neutralises the sting’s effect by neutralising the acid.