Stung by a Wasp. What to Do?

[mvazul]

Yesterday, I was stung by what I think was a wasp. It was definitely not a bee. It was pure black and looked kind of like a wasp. I have never seen anything like it before. It stung me on the underside of my arm. It was near my armpit when I put my arm down and felt an excruciating pain. I immediately had pain shoot down my arm and through my rib cage.

I went to an urgent care clinic and at that point, the sting area was about the size of a dime. I was given an oral antibiotic, topical antibiotic and a steroid. Plus, I was told to take 50 milligrams of Benadryl every 6 hours. I was told to watch it and if it got worse to head to the ER. This evening it got worse. It is now bright red and the diameter of a softball nearest the sting area. However, it has swollen slightly and goes from bright red (nearest the sting area) to dark pink. It is going from almost my arm pit to my elbow and looks like it has a rash. Just the inside/underside of my arm.

I called the nurse line with our insurance company and was told to head to the ER. So, my husband took me. We got there and the waiting room was packed. It was literally standing room only. The lady at the desk looked at it and asked if we really wanted to stay. She said it was going to be a 4 to 5 hour wait. This was at 6:30 PM. She said she didn't really think there was anything they could do for it and told me to allow the antibiotics and steroids to kick in and to keep an eye on it. I do not have shortness of breath, chest pains or a fever.

So, I am sitting here and it is not getting better. It's not worse, but definitely not better. Yesterday after it happened and all last night, it was excruciatingly painful. When I woke up this morning, it was very itchy. It is now so itchy to the point I can't stand it. I haven't scratched it at all for fear of making it worse. So, since there isn't much I can do right now, are there any home remedies to reduce itching and swelling? I have had an ice pack on it. That makes it burn. And itch even more.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!
Michelle

 

[sparklynails23]

I think you need more steroids, which you can only get from a doctor. How about heading to the ER now? It's probably less crowded. Guess you could try an oatmeal bath or Dumboro for the itching, but they are so temporary.

 

[smitch425]

Yesterday, I was stung by what I think was a wasp. It was definitely not a bee. It was pure black and looked kind of like a wasp. I have never seen anything like it before. It stung me on the underside of my arm. It was near my armpit when I put my arm down and felt an excruciating pain. I immediately had pain shoot down my arm and through my rib cage.

I went to an urgent care clinic and at that point, the sting area was about the size of a dime. I was given an oral antibiotic, topical antibiotic and a steroid. Plus, I was told to take 50 milligrams of Benadryl every 6 hours. I was told to watch it and if it got worse to head to the ER. This evening it got worse. It is now bright red and the diameter of a softball nearest the sting area. However, it has swollen slightly and goes from bright red (nearest the sting area) to dark pink. It is going from almost my arm pit to my elbow and looks like it has a rash. Just the inside/underside of my arm.

I called the nurse line with our insurance was told to head to the ER. So, my husband took me. We got there and the waiting room was packed. It was literally standing room only. The lady at the desk looked at it and asked if we really wanted to stay. she said it was going to be a 4 to 5 hour wait. This was at 6:30 PM. She said she didn't really think there was anything they could do for it and told me to allow the antibiotics and steroids to kick in and to keep an eye on it. I do not have shortness of breath, chest pains or a fever.

So, I am sitting here and it is not getting better. It's not worse, but definitely not better. Yesterday after it happened and all last night, it was excruciatingly painful. When I woke up this morning, it was very itchy. It is now so itchy to the point i can't stand it. I haven't scratched it at all for fear of making it worse. So, since there isn't much I can do right now, are there any home remedies to reduce itching and swelling? I have had an ice pack on it. That makes it burn. And itch even more.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!
Michelle

First of all,

Been there, done that. I was stung by a black wasp a few summers ago and did the same as you-- urgent care and the next day ER. I was stung about two inches from my wrist on the underside of my arm. By the second day, my arm was more than twice the size of the other one and had blistered. I went to the ER at that point and they gave me a steroid shot, steroid pills and heavy duty antibiotics. The doctor could tell I was in trouble because of the red streaking on my arm. He said that had I waited any longer to come to the hospital, the infection would have gotten into my chest and affected my breathing.

Go and stay put at the ER until you are seen. Best of luck and please give an update. Good luck!

 

[mvazul]

I think you need more steroids, which you can only get from a doctor. How about heading to the ER now? It's probably less crowded. Guess you could try an oatmeal bath or Dumboro for the itching, but they are so temporary.

I just had my third dose of steroids around 8:00. The lady at the ER said they had probably not had enough time to kick in. Other than the itching, I feel okay. I just remembered my mom used to make a paste of baking soda and water to put on bee stings when my sister and I were little. I may try that.

Thank you for the suggestions!

 

[mvazul]

First of all,

Been there, done that. I was stung by a black wasp a few summers ago and did the same as you-- urgent care and the next day ER. I was stung about two inches from my wrist on the underside of my arm. By the second day, my arm was more than twice the size of the other one and had blistered. I went to the ER at that point and they gave me a steroid shot, steroid pills and heavy duty antibiotics. The doctor could tell I was in trouble because of the red streaking on my arm. He said that had I waited any longer to come to the hospital, the infection would have gotten into my chest and affected my breathing.

Go and stay put at the ER until you are seen. Best of luck and please give an update. Good luck!

Thank you! I just called the ER and was told there is still a few hours wait. No idea what is going on in this town right now??? If it's not better by morning, I will definitely head back in. Better to wait it out in my own bed than sitting up in an ER waiting room.

 

[sparklynails23]

As an unofficial DIS doctor, I wanted to agree with smitch and suggest one more time that you go back to the ER. Better safe than sorry.

 

[WowLookAtThat]

Find the wasp's family and seek vengeance.

 

[furb & dez]

Thank you! I just called the ER and was told there is still a few hours wait. No idea what is going on in this town right now???

People are using the ER as their primary care physician because they don't have or can't afford health insurance? And so are causing horrid waits while people who may have life-threatening emergencies sit alongside them, in pain?

(but, no, socialized medicine is EEEEEEEEVIL right?)

 

[Phil'sFrontier]

That sounds like a nasty sting in a bad spot.

I used google, the search engine

Did it look like this?
http://weblogs.dailypress.com/featu...in/2010/09/when_a_great_black_wasp_bites.html

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Make a paste with meat tenderizer, it works! The papin in the meat tenderizer breaks down the protein bonds in the poison.

I was stung twice by a wasp last yr and dh ran to the store, got some meat tenderizer and it worked. I left it on for a while. It was kind of messy.

I would still try it even though it has been a day.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

Make a paste with meat tenderizer, it works! The papin in the meat tenderizer breaks down the protein bonds in the poison.

I was stung twice by a wasp last yr and dh ran to the store, got some meat tenderizer and it worked. I left it on for a while. It was kind of messy.

I would still try it even though it has been a day.

When I worked at Six Flags they had a huge jar of meat tenderizer so insect stings, I know this because I had the joy of getting stung on my hand right as I was trying to open the safari for the day.

OP do you not have any other ER's near by? We must have 10 within 35 mins.

 

[720L]

If you tell them you think you are having an allergic reaction (which you kind of are)---you will be put ahead of everyone!

 

[Goofycampers]

Personally if it was me I probably wouldnt go to the er again unless my arm was significantly swelling. I was stung last year by a black wasp under my upper arm and my husband was as well. We were doing yard work and hit a nest. Both of us had the same symptoms you describe. We both put meat tenderizer on it, took ibuprofen and just got through it. The meat tenderizer works well for bee stings because it breads down the enzymes in the venom.

 

[Goofycampers]

People are using the ER as their primary care physician because they don't have or can't afford health insurance? And so are causing horrid waits while people who may have life-threatening emergencies sit alongside them, in pain?

(but, no, socialized medicine is EEEEEEEEVIL right?)

Misuse of the ER is not a reason for socialized medicine but since political posts are not allowed I wont explain to you how you are sooo wrong.

 

[AlwaysMoving]

If you are afraid, why not go to the hospital and hang out? Not necessarily checking in, but just hanging out to see if anything happens. That way if something does happen, you can get immediate care. That is what I would do. If someone asks you if you have checked in or if you are waiting for someone, just explain your situation. I'm sure they will understand.

 

[Mandychelle79]

I have been stung by wasps a lot. very painful, very itchy. I would use a benadryl cream on them. Well now I have to use my epi-pen and follow that protocol because Im anaphylactic to them now. But when I was a kid and only had a localized reaction, Meat tenderizer when I first got it to break down the protein and hopefully stop the huge reaction. Then benadryl or calamine lotion for the itch.

 

[luvsJack]

Is there not a dr.'s office you can just call and ask about it?

Its not an allergic reaction for a sting to itch. They all itch, just like a mosquito bite--only worse.

I would use the meat tenderizer and maybe some ice for any swelling. And call the dr's office. If you are not having problems breathing or anything like that then personally, I wouldn't go to the ER--but that's just me. I HATE that place and the amount of time it takes to wait.

But, then I have never taken anything precribed for stings either and most of them have done exactly what you are describing. I just take Benedryl for the itching and put some kind of anti-itch cream on it.

Did they remove the stinger? If not, that would explain any extra swelling as the stinger is still in there. The meat tenderizer might help draw it out. Something else that will help is if you have some kind of tobacco--like chewing tobacco or Skoal type thing. You wet a little and put it directly on the sting, it helps get the stinger out.

 

[mvazul]

That sounds like a nasty sting in a bad spot.

I used google, the search engine

Did it look like this?
http://weblogs.dailypress.com/featu...in/2010/09/when_a_great_black_wasp_bites.html

Oh my gosh - YES!!! I am almost positive that is what stung me!! Thank you!!!

Make a paste with meat tenderizer, it works! The papin in the meat tenderizer breaks down the protein bonds in the poison.

I was stung twice by a wasp last yr and dh ran to the store, got some meat tenderizer and it worked. I left it on for a while. It was kind of messy.

I would still try it even though it has been a day.

I have never heard to use meat tenderizer. Thank you!

When I worked at Six Flags they had a huge jar of meat tenderizer so insect stings, I know this because I had the joy of getting stung on my hand right as I was trying to open the safari for the day.

OP do you not have any other ER's near by? We must have 10 within 35 mins.

I'm not sure if there are other ER's or not. We are fairly new to the area. I know this particular hospital is covered under our insurance.

If you tell them you think you are having an allergic reaction (which you kind of are)---you will be put ahead of everyone!

I did tell them that and was still basically turned away. She told me to go home, apply an ice pack and some Benadryl cream. I did and it's still itching.

Personally if it was me I probably wouldnt go to the er again unless my arm was significantly swelling. I was stung last year by a black wasp under my upper arm and my husband was as well. We were doing yard work and hit a nest. Both of us had the same symptoms you describe. We both put meat tenderizer on it, took ibuprofen and just got through it. The meat tenderizer works well for bee stings because it breads down the enzymes in the venom.

I decided against going back to the ER last night. It is no better this morning, but definitely not any worse. I am thinking I need to look into this meat tenderizer!

Misuse of the ER is not a reason for socialized medicine but since political posts are not allowed I wont explain to you how you are sooo wrong.

If you are afraid, why not go to the hospital and hang out? Not necessarily checking in, but just hanging out to see if anything happens. That way if something does happen, you can get immediate care. That is what I would do. If someone asks you if you have checked in or if you are waiting for someone, just explain your situation. I'm sure they will understand.

I chose against going back to the ER. I took Benadryl before bed and it basically knocks me out.

I have been stung by wasps a lot. very painful, very itchy. I would use a benadryl cream on them. Well now I have to use my epi-pen and follow that protocol because Im anaphylactic to them now. But when I was a kid and only had a localized reaction, Meat tenderizer when I first got it to break down the protein and hopefully stop the huge reaction. Then benadryl or calamine lotion for the itch.

I carry an Epi Pen with me, too. However, it is for my allergies to latex and bananas. My father is HIGHLY allergic to stings. I had decided to go to the urgent care to begin with due to my allergies getting worse over the years and my dad's history with stings. I am definitely trying the meat tenderizer.

Is there not a dr.'s office you can just call and ask about it?

Its not an allergic reaction for a sting to itch. They all itch, just like a mosquito bite--only worse.

I would use the meat tenderizer and maybe some ice for any swelling. And call the dr's office. If you are not having problems breathing or anything like that then personally, I wouldn't go to the ER--but that's just me. I HATE that place and the amount of time it takes to wait.

But, then I have never taken anything precribed for stings either and most of them have done exactly what you are describing. I just take Benedryl for the itching and put some kind of anti-itch cream on it.

Did they remove the stinger? If not, that would explain any extra swelling as the stinger is still in there. The meat tenderizer might help draw it out. Something else that will help is if you have some kind of tobacco--like chewing tobacco or Skoal type thing. You wet a little and put it directly on the sting, it helps get the stinger out.

I called the doctor's office my husband is going to be using. He has an appointment next week. However, we are new to the area, so they won't see me until I have had a general visit first. They suggested urgent care or the ER.

The stinger is out. I was able to get it out when I brushed the wasp away.

Thank you for all of the advice and ideas. I am definitely going to try the meat tenderizer. It has not gotten any better but is also not any worse. It is just maddeningly itchy.

 

[AlwaysMoving]

I did tell them that and was still basically turned away. She told me to go home, apply an ice pack and some Benadryl cream. I did and it's still itching.

By saying "basically turned away" do you mean they told you to go home or did they say it was up to you, but since it was not an emergency, you could decide to stay and wait hours or you could go home and self treat? They might tell you it is a waste of your time, since it is not an emergency and it would be up to you to decide, but I would think turning you away, and possibly later having you go into a life and death situation, could come back on the hospital.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Sounds crazy, but when I was stung last year, NP told me to take Zirtec, Zantac (yes the heartburn med, I forget the logistics exactly- reduces acid in it??) and ibuprofen. I found it helped alot also to keep it iced til those kicked in.

I tried baking soda and meat tenderizer pastes- did nothing for me personally.

I'd definately recommend talking to your own doctor, but all those are OTC and may be worth a try.