Stung by a Wasp. What to Do?

[mvazul]

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.

Oh, she definitely gave me the choice, but also said that it was not worth the wait. She said they would more than likely give me an ice pack, some Benadryl cream and send me on my way. So, we decided to not wait.

Sounds crazy, but when I was stung last year, NP told me to take Zirtec, Xantac (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.

Thank you!

 

[Keli]

This really isn't an emergency room issue IMHO. If you were having an allergic reaction at this point it would be different but I think you are having the normal reaction to this sting so if I were you I'd just stay home and self treat the symptoms you're having. No way would I use the emergency room for this, it would cost me $100 and hours of my time and the result wouldn't be much different.

 

[mvazul]

This really isn't an emergency room issue IMHO. If you were having an allergic reaction at this point it would be different but I think you are having the normal reaction to this sting so if I were you I'd just stay home and self treat the symptoms you're having. No way would I use the emergency room for this, it would cost me $100 and hours of my time and the result wouldn't be much different.

Yes, that is the conclusion I came to. I originally went, because I have never had a reaction like this to a sting/bite.

 

[Green Tea]

Just put some cortisone cream on the itch and wait it out. They hurt and then they itch. They swell, sometimes a lot. But as long as it is localized, no matter how large it gets, it doesn't matter. Problem is when you get hives all over or throat swelling.

 

[Green Tea]

PS: It might continue to swell larger for a couple of days, but again, if localized, its no big deal other than uncomfortable. A true allergic reaction would likely have happened very quickly following the sting, not 24 hours plus later.

 

[mvazul]

Just put some cortisone cream on the itch and wait it out. They hurt and then they itch. They swell, sometimes a lot. But as long as it is localized, no matter how large it gets, it doesn't matter. Problem is when you get hives all over or throat swelling.

PS: It might continue to swell larger for a couple of days, but again, if localized, its no big deal other than uncomfortable. A true allergic reaction would likely have happened very quickly following the sting, not 24 hours plus later.

Thank you! I honestly can't remember the last time I was stung. 25 years ago, maybe??? I have never had a reaction like this. I was shocked when the doctor gave me antibiotics. I had never heard of using them for stings. And I was also surprised when he gave me a steroid. My husband says I can't go pro now!!

I have been putting ice on it on and off throughout the day. At times it helps and at other times, it burns. I still have a rash. Not sure if it's hives or not. By looking up pictures, it doesn't seem to be hives. I normally would not have gone to the urgent care or ER, but, again, I had never had a reaction like this before. I finally bought some Benadryl gel. It's helping some. It is still the same size and is now a much darker red all over instead of the bright red near the sting area and pink for the rest of the area. Thankfully, it doesn't hurt anymore. But this itching is driving me insane!!

Again, thanks to everyone for all of the suggestions.

Michelle

 

[PrincessV]

OP, in case the itching is still bad... this may sounds crazy, but hemorrhoid gel! I resorted to that when I had a major allergic reaction to a bunch of mosquito bites. The antihistamines controlled the allergic reaction, but the itching was just unbearable for days. Cooling hemorrhoid gel worked better than Benadryl cream, hydro-cortisone and meat tenderizer.

 

[ZehnJahren]

For future reference, our family tried-and-true wasp sting "antidote" is a wad of tobacco, mixed with spit, on the area. I know, I know.

A couple of years ago, I was outside sitting and talking to my mom. She said something funny, and I slapped my knee - and had a terrible pain go through it. Turns out a wasp had landed on my knee and I hadn't seen him, so he stung me when I slapped my knee. Mom immediately grabbed her cigarettes, pulled apart one of them, and moistened it with spit - then slapped it on the bite for about 10 minutes. Within an hour, I didn't even feel the bite anymore.

It's crazy, but it works.

 

[Disney-Kim]

For future reference, our family tried-and-true wasp sting "antidote" is a wad of tobacco, mixed with spit, on the area. I know, I know.

A couple of years ago, I was outside sitting and talking to my mom. She said something funny, and I slapped my knee - and had a terrible pain go through it. Turns out a wasp had landed on my knee and I hadn't seen him, so he stung me when I slapped my knee. Mom immediately grabbed her cigarettes, pulled apart one of them, and moistened it with spit - then slapped it on the bite for about 10 minutes. Within an hour, I didn't even feel the bite anymore.

It's crazy, but it works.

my Mom did this when I was younger for bee stings...helped !!

 

[LadyZolt]

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?

My DH is an ER RN, and they recently went to a system whereby they check out the patient, and if it is not an emergency, the ER staff refers them to their primary care physician, or to a local urgent care. This way, the ER can be used for people who are really having emergencies. (To me, this is what it should have always been anyway -- "Emergency" is what the "E" in "ER" stands for. LOL!)

OP: Did the meat tenderizer work? I had not heard of that, or the tobacco remedy, but I would try either of them if I were in your position. I am sure hoping that you are not in as much pain or itching as much when you read this!

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)