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Wasp sting

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Posted 9/22/2014 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hello my friends, I was stung by a wasp at 3 today and it still hurts terribly at 8 oclock. It's really swollen (about 4-5 inches wide) and very hot to the touch. My whole arm is really hurting. I don't recall ever having pain this long from a sting before or this amount of swelling. I put bentonite clay on it right away and can't use ice as I am allergic to cold temps.

Does anyone have any tips for wasp stings? Hubby is picking me up some antihistimine on his way home. I'm a bit wheezy but nothing serious (I've experienced anaphylaxis several times before). I hope this doesn't make me flare up even more. I have steroid ointment, would that maybe help with the swelling?
Posted 9/22/2014 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
Yikes!

Sorry you can't use ice, would a cold (but not too cold) compress help?

Remember we are more susceptible and more likely to react strongly to things that might not have bothered us before Lupus or before Lupus meds.

The steroid won't hurt and might possibly help, but I would watch it closely and if it's still hot by 10 or 11 pm you might consider the ER -- I would definitely go if you are still even a little bit wheezy. I say that because you don't want the reaction to get away from you overnight and wake up with something much worse.

If you do decide to go to sleep, maybe get up early - 7-ish at least, to check on it.

Hope it gets better soon!
Posted 9/22/2014 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear this! Are you absolutely certain the stinger is completely out? Sometimes running a credit card or something similar over the site will "find" a tiny piece of the stinger. Other than that (since you can't ice it), it sounds like you are treating it properly. But, Lynnwood is right, if the reaction continues, or your breathing worsens, I would seek emergency care. And if you have epi-pens, I keep them close! Hope you feel better!
Posted 9/22/2014 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Lynnwood, I have splashed cool water on it a few times and that helps for a few minutes. Unfortunately even a cool, wet face cloth if left on it will swell it up more and give me hives which I wouldn't like too much right now!

I got creative and put some voltaren gel on it. It's a topical nsaid so I'm hoping it will help by some fluke.

I've been experiencing that lovely lupie insomnia so I'll just stay up and see how it goes.

I didn't even get the satisfaction of killing the little bugger that stung me!
Posted 9/22/2014 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Fran I didn't even think of that. It's just above my elbow on the back of my arm. I will get hubby to have a look see. I didn't feel anything but I can't see it all that well. All I see is a big old angry looking welt when I look at it in the mirror.
Posted 9/22/2014 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
The antihistimine seems to be working, I'm not near as wheezy and the pain isn't the throbbing that it was so that's good. It's still really red and hot but I can live with that for now. If it's any worse or still bad tomorrow I'll call my doctor.

I did some googling and it seems to be of growing opinion that wasp and bee venom is becoming more potent and reactions to it more common. I find that interesting. Be it that or the lupus, meds or my already hyper histamine who knows. Regardless, be careful out there! Them wasps are nasty!
Posted 9/22/2014 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
My mom used to put a poulace of meat tenderizer on our bee stings. Mix a paste of meat tenderizer and water to smear on the bite.

It definitely felt better after awhile.
Posted 9/22/2014 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
I had the same thing happen to me about a month and a half ago. First time I've ever reacted like that to a sting. We were camping, it was dark & I was wearing flip flops. I'd gotten up from the campfire and was walking toward the boat dock. All of a sudden it felt like a hot coal had fallen on my foot. I knew it couldn't be a hot coal because I was too far from the fire for a hot coal to have popped out and hit me. As soon as I got to a flashlight I could see a hornet crawling on my pant leg so I knew that had to be what got me. My toes and foot swelled immediately. I was awake all night, I guess the toxins were pumping through my blood because I was not tired in the least bit. It hurt so bad that I could barely walk on it. The next day between being awake all night and the toxins taking a toll on me, I went home and slept the entire Saturday away. I felt so terribly exhausted and ill. My toes and foot were swollen for days but I was able to walk on it again. Still painful but able to walk on it. It was still sore to touch for about a week to a week and a half later. The only reason I didn't go to the ER was I was still breathing fine (no weezing), no heart racing and all 5 of us that were there had a few adult beverages so I would have had to call an ambulance to come pick me up at the marina. I didn't take any meds (allergic to Antihistimine). All I did was ice on/ice off as much as possible. I hope you get some relief soon. Keep us updated.
Posted 9/23/2014 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Joy, I don't have any meat tenderizer. I should get some and have it handy in case the kids or any of us get stung again. Especially if it's going to be like this.

Hi RA Info Sponge, I'm sorry to hear you had the same problem. Sounds like you had a rough go of it too and to be unable to take antihistimine sucks. I'm glad you're feeling better now. I wonder if it's because of our immune systems or if those stingers are more powerful now or what.

Well the swelling has tripled in size if you can believe it. And itchy! Holy crow I would love to just scratch my arm off right now lol. The area that is swollen and red is honest to goodness down past my elbow and almost to my armpit now and still hot and red. It has a red outline around it too which looks kind of funky. My breathing is okay now though.

Hubby says I should go to the doctor, so does everyone at work but ugh I have been there once a week for something or another for almost two months now.

Maybe tomorrow if it isn't better. Or tomorrow's tomorrow! Or if I start frothing at the mouth or turn into a hornet or something ;)
Posted 9/23/2014 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Please go to the Dr SOONEST!!!

I know it seems silly but our systems are ABNORMAL once we have Lupus & Lupus meds on board. This can be VERY SERIOUS.

Please get this treated, I really don't think you should wait.

Hot and red and swollen is a message fro your body crying out that it needs HELP!
Posted 9/23/2014 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Okay, I will get it checked :)
Posted 9/23/2014 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
The red streaks are signs of serious infection. You might have cellulitis.

Get to the doctor ASAP.
Posted 9/23/2014 11:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Acquiesce:

So sorry to hear that you were stung by a wasp. Nothing worse than that I think, as I'm allergic big time to wasps and bees.

It does sound like you need to see a Doctor ASAP. I currently have cellulitis and it's painful, the red streaks and it has to be treated with an antibiotics to clear it up. My celluiltis is on my leg, about 2" above my incision from surgery. The legs and face are the most common areaa, however, you can get it anywhere.

Whenever I get a flu shot I end up with severe cellulitis in my arm. I have reactions a lot like what you're describing

Please go see the Doctor today and get this treated. Please let us know what the Doctor says. I hope you start feeling much better really soon, hope you have a good day.

Hugs,
Barbara
Posted 9/23/2014 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
Winner winner chicken dinner! I have (drum roll please) cellulitis!

So yes, thanks for the push ladies. I am on antibiotics again. That will be 3 courses of antibiotics in 4 weeks yowsa. I likely would have just left it and it would have gotten worse if you hadn't cared enough to persuade me. I appreciate that xo! :)
Posted 9/24/2014 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry you're having so much meds but it's better than having to be hospital stay.

I hope it heals fast.
Posted 9/24/2014 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
Very glad you went in ... we Lupies react in strange ways and MUST take care of ourselves!!
Posted 9/24/2014 11:41 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Joy and Lynnwood. I'm slowly learning that toughing things out isn't the best way to go anymore! It's a hard pill to swallow but it is what it is ;)
Posted 9/24/2014 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad you went in.

I toughed out certain things before only to wind up in a mess. Better safe than sorry.
Posted 9/27/2014 11:59 AM (GMT 0)
Want to hear something crazy? I found out yesterday that my sister was stung on Tuesday and was having the same reaction. I told her to go to the er. Same thing! The couple weeks ago that I had bronchitis, she had pneumonia.

She also has basically the same list of symptoms as me minus the cold allergy. She sees a different rheumy. It happens a lot that we have the same type of problem at the same time but the wasp sting thing was just too funny/odd not to share!
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