What I am learning about wasp stings

Poor thing. Sounds as if she's had (is having!) a hell of a time! But I suppose the doc is justified in not assuming the stings will get infected. They don't always. I've had a couple before which haven't, plus goodness knows how many mosquito bites that didn't (didn't give me malaria either), and innumerable midge and cleg bites. You can't prescribe anti-biotics just in case something gets infected, especially nowadays when they are less effective because we've used them too much in the past.

I'm very sorry your friend has had such a bad time. I know how sore an infected wasp sting can be

The thing is, she has reacted like this before, but the gp wouldn't listen. She has had to go back to hospital again today and they have changed the anti histamine and given her more antibiotics. Doc said she is allergic and infected!

She never does things by halves!!
Apparently, every time you get stung, the reaction can be worse. She does look a mess.

Anyway, glad your finger is ok now Bags

Sorry about your friend, ella, but anti-histamine is the standard treatment until infection actually occurs. If your friend is very allergic to wasp stings, shouldn't she carry an epipen? Allergic reactions are not the same as infections and anti-biotics will not deal with overproduction of histamine.

My wasp sting got infected (finger now back to normal only a week later) but the nurse I saw was correct not to give me an anti-biotic straight away. My immune system dealt with the infection. This is better than using an anti-biotic.

Of course, if your friend's immune system could not deal with the infection she had, anti-biotics would presumably help, but from what you have said, the doctor did nothing wrong at the initial appointment.

This thread didn't go active after I posted!!

Last week my friend was stung by two wasps simultaneously,on her face and boob. She went immediately to the GP as she is allergic to them, and asked for antibiotics, which the young newly qualified doc refused,giving her anti histamine.

Cutting a long story short, another visit as she had swelling resulted in antbiotics. That night she had to go to A&E and was kept in overnight and put on an IV drip.
Six days later she is still not well and is still taking antibiotics.
Why don't they teach new doctors to listen to their patients?

Anyway... just wanted to thank tattynan for the info about Aspivenin Kit, my friend is going to get one!

We all worry about you young bags. We know you can't really look after yourself!

Been. Told to apply 1% cortisone cream and come back if no improvement in 24 hours – exactly what I expected. Next time I'll wait 72 hours however much grannynagging there is . But it's sweet of yous to express concern nevertheless .

I was 9 months pregnant and wearing a big summer dress. As I sat down my dress sort of billowed and a hornet flew up it and stung me on the bum. It didn't half hurt. Ouch.

The next day I went into labour. That hurt a bit more.

Should we ask for a 'nagging' emoticon do you think?

Some years ago I was stung on my leg by some unidentified insect on our way home from France (I felt something on the back of my calf, brushed at it and was stung so didn't see the culprit). After a couple of days my leg swelled up and "vibrated" with each step! Went to see my then GP who took one look, told me it was an allergic reaction (oh, really???) and sent me away without treatment!

I've been stung a few times since by wasps and tend to swell up for a few days, but nothing like that experience thank goodness. I react quite strongly to mozzie bites too.

My SiL was stung/bitten? by a horsefly years ago and ended up in hospital with a severe reaction and now carries an Epipen. Any flying/biting creatures make a bee-line for him!

Quite!

We will be when we know you've kept the appointment Bags!

Yep.

Rang surgery. Got appointment with nurse later today, who can refer me to doc if necessary. You lot happy now?

Do you think she'll listen?

You tell her jeni.

Go to doctor!

I think I'd have it looked at, if I were you, Bags, especially if the swelling is spreading. You might have to carry an epipen as reactions tend to be worse on subsequent occasions, or so I have been told. DS1 was stung by a wasp that casually breezed into the office when he was on duty one evening and stung him without provocation. He swelled up so fast that he was taken into hospital and put on a drip!

As one who suffers from quite violent reactions to wasp stings and sand fly bites, I would recommend seeking professional advice – a pharmacist or GP – especially as the swelling is spreading rather than reducing.

It swelled up again last night and the blood vessels throbbed. This morning there's a blistery rash, possible an allergic reaction to the elastoplast I used during my shower yesterday morning. It's rather red and hot, uncomfortable (more than yesterday) but not painful. Swelling also creeping into hand just above the finger. It's definitely a nuisance having strong allergic reactions. I was quite worried when I got up but now not sure whether it needs to be looked at. I don't feel ill, just irritated that a wasp sting can have so much effect!

Bags How's the finger today? Hope it's less painful.

I'm going to get one, tattynan . Since I have to carry around a tub of Tiger Balm everywhere, I might as well carry an insect bite poison vacuum. The Tiger Balm does the same thing in effect, by the way, as it makes the bites 'bleed' the poison out. I didn't use it on the wasp bite though, the site of which actually wasn't visible for very long anyway.

Thanks again for the info.

You can use the aspevenin on midge bits. I get bitten every year by gnats and midges [the ones that look like a bit of soot give me the worse bites.] Every time you itch you can use the aspivenin to suck the venom out. There are 4 different size heads you can use depending on the size of the bite.

I was just saying to OH on our walk through woodland that every flying insect seems to be out to get me today. This afternoon it was the wasps and my second sting of the week, then the midges this evening - horrid creatures. Fortunately the stings weren't too bad although my finger has just stopped itching from the first one a few days ago.

Hope yours gets better soon Bags [Sympathy]