Yellowjacket stings

monster · 10-04-2012, 09:06 PM

Apparently, my reaction is not normal. I assumed it was, because it's how I've reacted on the few times I've been stung (most notably twice a few weeks ago and twice yesterday)

But the swim mom I was passing time with at the away meet tonight is a shrink and so has some medical training and was, um, do you have an epi-pen? Well no, but I also have no tingling, no breathing difficulties etc.... and it's been 24 hours and I'm still here. She was all yabbut, they shouldn't look like that...... and I'm all well I've only been stung a few times in my life.... so then she's all back to the epi-pen idea because these are maybe a little bigger than last time...... but agrees I'm probably OK since no breathing issues.

Then she notices me scratching it -and gets all panicky about celluitis and Septicemia. I promise to go to the Doc/ER if it gets any worse or a notice any other symptoms.

So now I want to know what is normal? What happens to you when you get stung by a yellowjackey/wasp/bee/stripy flying thing.

My encounter few weeks ago, I got one on the kneecap and one on the elbow. hot, red swollen are extended maybe 1.5 inches in radius, were hot and red for a few days, then turned into dark bruises, remnants of which are still faintly visible. But I did scratch them like it would bring me to orgasm....

This time, one sting a couple of inches above the ankle has resulted in redness/swelling from below my ankle to mid-shin. but it's not all balloony, just a little stretcjed and a little flushed. no point taking a pic, really, but I might. other is on the back/side at the waist. Welt is maybe 5 inches across, two tall.

monster · 10-04-2012, 09:14 PM

hmmm

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-a.../insect-stings

"mild allergic reaction"

"People who have experienced an allergic reaction to an insect sting have a 60% chance of a similar or worse reaction if they are stung again."

lottery. I'mm'a take my chances for now. The one on the leg is reeeeeallly itchy (and warm) though

BigV · 10-05-2012, 12:08 AM

I've had stings that itch like crazy after the poison / hot pain subsides.

Griff · 10-05-2012, 06:10 AM

The last time I got stung it was in the back of the hand by a yellow jacket. The swelling was minimal but it itched for several days. I had a more significant reaction years ago to a bald faced hornet. My arm swelled right up. Yours sounds like its progressively worsening, I'd talk to my Doc. Maybe you need to keep Benedryl around.

Lamplighter · 10-05-2012, 09:14 AM

In Oregon and Montana, in late and dry summer our otherwise just plain
mean yellow jackets turn into raging beasts of prey and blind violence.
My experience with them is multi-fold.

I think stings on a place just above a bone (e.g., ankle) is worse.
Maybe this is because there is less circulation, so the toxic elements stay around longer.
Swelling and itching for a full week has not been uncommon for me.

Anyway, 10% cortisone ointment/creme applied immediately and prn does help some.

busterb · 10-05-2012, 07:20 PM

USP Ammmiona helps also. So fuck the spell check.

Big Sarge · 10-05-2012, 08:11 PM

50 mgms of Benadryl every 4 hours will really help. My reactions to insect stings worsened as an adult & I have to carry epi-pens (or at least I supposed to)

monster · 10-06-2012, 06:58 PM

I can't take oral benadryl

But it didn't get worse and today the swelling a redness subsided on the leg one. still itches like fuck, though. The one on my midriff is still very red and itches occassionally but no swelling -that one wasn't really bothering me very much. But it is a huge welt!. I think these might actually be better than the last time re long term effects, but really, I just had no idea this wasn't normal! I'm used to itching like crazy because I have eczema.

10-04-2012, 09:06 PM	#1
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Yellowjacket stings Apparently, my reaction is not normal. I assumed it was, because it's how I've reacted on the few times I've been stung (most notably twice a few weeks ago and twice yesterday) But the swim mom I was passing time with at the away meet tonight is a shrink and so has some medical training and was, um, do you have an epi-pen? Well no, but I also have no tingling, no breathing difficulties etc.... and it's been 24 hours and I'm still here. She was all yabbut, they shouldn't look like that...... and I'm all well I've only been stung a few times in my life.... so then she's all back to the epi-pen idea because these are maybe a little bigger than last time...... but agrees I'm probably OK since no breathing issues. Then she notices me scratching it -and gets all panicky about celluitis and Septicemia. I promise to go to the Doc/ER if it gets any worse or a notice any other symptoms. So now I want to know what is normal? What happens to you when you get stung by a yellowjackey/wasp/bee/stripy flying thing. My encounter few weeks ago, I got one on the kneecap and one on the elbow. hot, red swollen are extended maybe 1.5 inches in radius, were hot and red for a few days, then turned into dark bruises, remnants of which are still faintly visible. But I did scratch them like it would bring me to orgasm.... This time, one sting a couple of inches above the ankle has resulted in redness/swelling from below my ankle to mid-shin. but it's not all balloony, just a little stretcjed and a little flushed. no point taking a pic, really, but I might. other is on the back/side at the waist. Welt is maybe 5 inches across, two tall. __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

10-04-2012, 09:14 PM	#2
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	hmmm http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-a.../insect-stings "mild allergic reaction" "People who have experienced an allergic reaction to an insect sting have a 60% chance of a similar or worse reaction if they are stung again." lottery. I'mm'a take my chances for now. The one on the leg is reeeeeallly itchy (and warm) though __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

10-05-2012, 12:08 AM	#3
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	I've had stings that itch like crazy after the poison / hot pain subsides. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

10-05-2012, 06:10 AM	#4
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	The last time I got stung it was in the back of the hand by a yellow jacket. The swelling was minimal but it itched for several days. I had a more significant reaction years ago to a bald faced hornet. My arm swelled right up. Yours sounds like its progressively worsening, I'd talk to my Doc. Maybe you need to keep Benedryl around. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

10-05-2012, 07:20 PM	#6
busterb NSABFD Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: MS. usa Posts: 3,908	USP Ammmiona helps also. So fuck the spell check. __________________ I've haven't left very deep footprints in the sands of time. But, boy I've left a bunch.

10-05-2012, 09:14 AM	#5
Lamplighter Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bottom lands of the Missoula floods Posts: 6,402	In Oregon and Montana, in late and dry summer our otherwise just plain mean yellow jackets turn into raging beasts of prey and blind violence. My experience with them is multi-fold. I think stings on a place just above a bone (e.g., ankle) is worse. Maybe this is because there is less circulation, so the toxic elements stay around longer. Swelling and itching for a full week has not been uncommon for me. Anyway, 10% cortisone ointment/creme applied immediately and prn does help some.

10-05-2012, 08:11 PM	#7
Big Sarge Werepandas - lurking in your shadows Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: In the Deep South Posts: 3,408	50 mgms of Benadryl every 4 hours will really help. My reactions to insect stings worsened as an adult & I have to carry epi-pens (or at least I supposed to) __________________ Give a man a match, & he'll be warm for 20 seconds. But toss that man a white phosphorus grenade and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

10-06-2012, 06:58 PM	#8
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	I can't take oral benadryl But it didn't get worse and today the swelling a redness subsided on the leg one. still itches like fuck, though. The one on my midriff is still very red and itches occassionally but no swelling -that one wasn't really bothering me very much. But it is a huge welt!. I think these might actually be better than the last time re long term effects, but really, I just had no idea this wasn't normal! I'm used to itching like crazy because I have eczema. __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

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