Comment from: Maggie, 45-54 Female (Caregiver)Published: June 30
Last summer I was stung about nine times on both legs by yellow jackets. (I was mowing the lawn and ran over their ground nest.) I have been stung before by wasps and bumble bees, but this was awful. Due to the many stings on two limbs, I was told I should have sought medical attention, but instead I applied icepacks and took diphenhydramine (Benadryl). The stings were intensely painful for about seven days and caused severe itching for about five days. What is strange is that I developed a red lump around one sting (the only one that did not itch, so I didn't scratch at it) and that took forever to heal. I still have a reddened area like a scar there. It is almost as if the tissue surrounding the sting died even though it did not appear necrotic nor did it slough off.
This was my first yellow jacket stinging, and I could not believe how painful the stings were. I have a fairly high tolerance to pain as I have fibromyalgia and other chronic pain, but I was miserable unless I was in the recliner with ice packs over each sting.
Comment from: 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: October 07
I was stung in the mouth by a wasp five weeks ago and had a severe anaphylactic reaction. I was prescribed prednisolone 5mg at 8 per day for 4 days and also 3 hayleve tablets daily. when I stopped the medication severe facial swelling returned. I looked like I had been attacked. I was put on the same medication for four more days and when I stopped the swelling returned. My GP then said continue with prenisolone (8 a day) for 2 days, then 6 for two days etc., etc. until I reached one and then zero tablets. When I got down to four tablets the swelling started to return until I became unrecognizable. I am now back on prednisolone (8 per day) until I can see an immunologist early in October.
Comment from: berniemay, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: August 11
I was swimming, when I was stung by a hornet. I immediately felt a burning sensation where I was stung on the inner thigh. Within minutes, my thigh swelled up to twice its size. Shortly after that, I got hives, my airway started constricting, and my tongue swelled up. I was brought to the local hospital where the doctor gave me three shots. To this day I carry an Epipen.
Comment from: PaulyB, 75 or over FemalePublished: February 01
I have had a problem with wasp and mosquito stings all my life and as I get older they are getting worse. When travelling I now take an Epipen, antibiotics and numerous creams. I have been to the Hospital to see an expert who said I am not bad enough to go into their treatment program. I don't know how bad you have to be! Once when stung on my finger the skin peeled back for 5 days and I had my arm in a sling and had to visit the doctor twice a day - if this isn't bad!! What is? I do everything that is suggested to avoid wasps but nothing works and I mean nothing I just have to hope that I don't get stung again and this is stressful during the summer months particularly September. I cannot remember the amount of times I have been to the hospital and clinics when abroad and in the UK which is quite miserable when on holiday. If anyone has the answer please let me know. Obviously they just like me.
Comment from: Alex, 55-64 Female (Patient)Published: November 29
I was stung by bees more than one week ago in three places. One even went up my pant leg and stung me on my thigh! Now I have rashes on my neck, inner upper arm, abdomen, and inside the thigh area. It's a very itchy and raised flat rash. I woke up yesterday with a new area of rash. Finally, I went to the urgent care yesterday after five days of treating it myself with Benadryl and over the counter cortisone. I have been on prednisone orally and prescription triamcinolone and atarax. I have no changes so far.
Comment from: Marsbars, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: September 01
I have total of 30 wasp stings on my arms, feet, hands, and legs. I am allergic to them and have a horrible rash around all of them. I am the only one that got bit at a party. I do not wear perfume, only deodorant. All bugs attack me. While waiting for a train, the ants bite my feet. Fly's are always attacking me too. I use unscented Lubriderm lotion. I take a shower every day. Bugs just love me. I guess even if it is 100 degrees I will have to wear long sleeves and pants. I don't know what to do.
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An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.
Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that affects a number of different areas of the body at one time, and can be fatal. Causes of anaphylaxis can be food allergy, latex allergy, allergy to insect or but stings/bites, asthma, or other materials or conditions. Symptoms include flushing, itching, hives, anxiety, rapid or irregular pulse. Severe symptoms may be throat and tongue swelling, swallowing, and difficulty breathing. Some disorders appear similar to anaphylaxis such as fainting, panic attacks, blood clots in the lungs, heart attacks, and septic shock. If you think that you may be having an anaphylactic reaction, seek emergency care or call 911 immedately.
Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve, the structure that connects the eye to the brain. The precise cause of optic neuritis is unknown, but it is thought to be a type of autoimmune disorder. Optic neuritis most commonly develops due to an autoimmune disorder that may be triggered by a viral infection.
The most common cause of a black eye is due to an injury to the face or head. Most black eye injuries are minor and heal on their own, however, some may lead to significant injury. In addition to trauma to the face, cosmetic surgery can cause a black eye(s) as a side effect. People should be aware of the situations in which medical care should be sought immediately for a black eye.
Bug bites and stings have been known to transmit insect-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Lyme disease. Though most reactions to insect bites and stings are mild, some reactions may be life-threatening. Preventing bug bites and stings with insect repellant, wearing the proper protective attire, and not wearing heavily scented perfumes when in grassy, wooded, and brushy areas is key.
The majority of stinging insects in the United States are from Bees, Yellow Jackets, Hornets, Wasps and Fire Ants. Severity of reactions to stings varies greatly. Avoidance and prompt treatment are essential. In selected cases, allergy injection therapy is highly effective.
First aid is a complicated subject and it is situation-specific. First aid is the help and medical assistance that someone gives, not only to an injured person, but to a person who is sick. Preparedness is a key element of first aid, like having basic medical emergency kits in your home, car, boat, or RV. Cuts, puncture wounds, sprains, strains, nosebleeds are one type of injury that may require first aid; heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and heat stroke are examples of more critical first aid emergencies.
Use structural barriers such as window screens and netting.
Avoid wooded, brushy, and grassy areas when possible.
Don't wear heavily scented soaps and perfumes.
Use caution eating outside and drinking; don't leave drinks and garbage cans uncovered.
Don't wear bright colors, which attract bees.
Wear long sleeves and long pants when possible.
Tuck pant legs into socks or shoes.
Wear a hat for extra protection.
Get rid of containers with standing water that give mosquitoes a breeding ground. Examples
include water in flowerpots and outdoor pet dishes.
Use insect repellent if nonchemical methods are ineffective and you spend time in tall grass and woody
areas.
Treat camping gear, clothes, and shoes with permethrin, which repels and
kills ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects. Clothing that is pre-treated with
permethrin is also c...
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
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Last summer I was stung about nine times on both legs by yellow jackets. (I was mowing the lawn and ran over their ground nest.) I have been stung before by wasps and bumble bees, but this was awful. Due to the many stings on two limbs, I was told I should have sought medical attention, but instead I applied icepacks and took diphenhydramine (Benadryl). The stings were intensely painful for about seven days and caused severe itching for about five days. What is strange is that I developed a red lump around one sting (the only one that did not itch, so I didn't scratch at it) and that took forever to heal. I still have a reddened area like a scar there. It is almost as if the tissue surrounding the sting died even though it did not appear necrotic nor did it slough off. This was my first yellow jacket stinging, and I could not believe how painful the stings were. I have a fairly high tolerance to pain as I have fibromyalgia and other chronic pain, but I was miserable unless I was in the recliner with ice packs over each sting.
Related Reading: diphenhydramine | itching | fibromyalgia