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How To Reduce Swelling Near The Sting Bite?
Dear Doctor,
Last year I was stung by a bee/wasp/hornet... I am not sure to be honest. I was outside splitting white ash wood, to which I have a minor allergic reaction. I have been stung many times in the past, by all types of insects, and I had never had a reaction. This time, I puffed up like a blowfish, had welts all over my body, and my breathing became very constricted and labored. I immediately went to the hospital and was discharged a few hours later. A couple of months later, I was tested for bee/vespid allergens and everything came up negative. Ok, so at this point I was more perplexed and disconcerted than anything, especially when no physician could give me a good answer as to what happened. Just today, I was stung again while cutting the grass. I am not sure by what type of bee or vespid. This time, there was no reaction, except for pain and a little bit of swelling at the sting site, which was a couple of inches below my knee. The only thing I can think of that explains the critical moment I had last year was that when I was stung then, it was directly on a major vein on my right hand. Do you have any thoughts on this? I would greatly appreciate any insight.
Sincerely,
Tony
Last year I was stung by a bee/wasp/hornet... I am not sure to be honest. I was outside splitting white ash wood, to which I have a minor allergic reaction. I have been stung many times in the past, by all types of insects, and I had never had a reaction. This time, I puffed up like a blowfish, had welts all over my body, and my breathing became very constricted and labored. I immediately went to the hospital and was discharged a few hours later. A couple of months later, I was tested for bee/vespid allergens and everything came up negative. Ok, so at this point I was more perplexed and disconcerted than anything, especially when no physician could give me a good answer as to what happened. Just today, I was stung again while cutting the grass. I am not sure by what type of bee or vespid. This time, there was no reaction, except for pain and a little bit of swelling at the sting site, which was a couple of inches below my knee. The only thing I can think of that explains the critical moment I had last year was that when I was stung then, it was directly on a major vein on my right hand. Do you have any thoughts on this? I would greatly appreciate any insight.
Sincerely,
Tony
posted on
Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 28 Aug 2015
Answered on
Fri, 28 Aug 2015
Last reviewed on
Hello Tony,
It is unfortunate that you have contacted with sting bite.
Determine if the stinger is still present (look for a small black dot at the sting site) and remove it immediately if is visible in the wound.
Apply ice or cold packs to the area to reduce the body's inflammatory response.
Clean the area with mild soap and water. Then apply hydrocortisone cream to the site to decrease the severity of the reaction. You may also apply calamine lotion to reduce the swelling.
Taking an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine and pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can also provide relief of symptoms.
Hope the information provided would be useful.
It is unfortunate that you have contacted with sting bite.
Determine if the stinger is still present (look for a small black dot at the sting site) and remove it immediately if is visible in the wound.
Apply ice or cold packs to the area to reduce the body's inflammatory response.
Clean the area with mild soap and water. Then apply hydrocortisone cream to the site to decrease the severity of the reaction. You may also apply calamine lotion to reduce the swelling.
Taking an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine and pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can also provide relief of symptoms.
Hope the information provided would be useful.
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