posted
I got a bad insect sting about an hour ago. The bite mark on my arm got very swollen, and it hurt a lot even up to 30 minutes after the bite.
Now my neck started to hurt and feel sore, and it hurts to swallow. I don't think the swelling is visible from the outside.
I'm just wondering what someone would do in a situation like this, if it got worse. Let's say my neck becomes super swollen and it becomes an emergency situation. Would I have to go to a hospital? Is there anything I could do at home? Could I just take a bunch of anti-histamines?
I'd be afraid to go to a hospital because I don't know if they would give me steroids. I'm recovering from Lyme, but it's definitely still living inside my body. Steroids right now would be devastating for me. Would they try to give me steroids?
Thanks for the advice. BTW I'm not sure it was a wasp. I didn't see the insect, but I just guessed it was something big like a wasp because it hurt a lot.
Posts: 32 | From TX | Registered: Jul 2011
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posted
Benedryl? Ice pack on swelling? Remove stinger, if there is one (bees leave one, but not wasps or yellow jackets). Acetaminophen.
Any chance you are allergic? This might mean anaphylaxis, and a definite visit to ER or call to 911. Have an Epi-pen around the house?
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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Jamers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28016
posted
Take benedryl ASAP. Go to ER if you have severe allergic symptoms.
They would probably give you an injection of Benedryl first, then an epi-pen (which doesn't contain steroids, I think) if that didn't help.
I don't think they would give you steroids right away.
-------------------- Diagnosed Pos. Lyme Nov. 17, 2010, Igx. Pos. Babesia Duncani March 2011, Igx. Clinical diagnosis for Bartonella Posts: 1127 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2010
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philly78
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posted
This sounds very much like an allergic reaction and yes...the ER is going to give you steroids. We always give benadryl, pepcid and solu-medrol.
If your having problems swallowing, this can be VERY, VERY serious!
PLEASE do not put off seeking medical attention for this.
Steroids may not be ideal but you HAVE TO BE ABLE TO BREATH!!
I'm sorry if I'm yelling. But I really don't think this should be put off. The ER....if the triage nurse knows her stuff....will bring you to the back immediately! Just tell them you were stung by something and your throat is swollen.
-------------------- When faced with pain you have two choices....either quit and accept the circumstances, OR make the decision to fight with all the resources you have at your disposal. Posts: 1000 | From PA | Registered: Mar 2011
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sixgoofykids
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This can be serious quickly. I take 2 Benadryl when I have an anaphylactic reaction, and I continue to take the maximum dosage as long as there's any swelling at all.
If you don't go to the ER, you need to tell your doctor about the reaction so you can get a prescription for an epipen. I carry one for emergencies. Be aware, that next time the reaction may be worse. My shellfish reactions progressively got worse, and now they're dangerous. You need to get an epipen. The next sting could be deadly.
If your throat is closing, you may have to have steroids. In life or death situations, better to have steroids.
If your throat is closing, GET TO THE ER ASAP!!!
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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Before I read them all thoroughly, I wanted to post an update that I really don't think this is serious.
My neck/throat is a little sore and stiff, but it's not progressing. I really think this will just go away.
I've been bitten by bees and wasps before, and I never had an allergy. But I read that Lyme can cause allergies because of the way it messes with the immune system.
Again, thanks a lot for the replies. I'm super glad to read them because I think this is very useful information to know.
God bless.
Posts: 32 | From TX | Registered: Jul 2011
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sixgoofykids
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I would still take a Benadryl to slow down the allergic response. And it's still very important to tell your doctor so you can get an epipen to have for next time.
The fact that you had this reactions shows you have an allergy and you never know which sting will be deadly. So far, for shellfish I've only needed Benadryl. I have reactions if the chef touches shellfish then prepares my food, I never intentionally eat it. I carry an epipen so that if it's ever immediate and serious, I have it with me.
I ate shellfish ALL MY LIFE. Some allergies develop over time. This allergy started developing for me before I got really sick, so it wasn't a result of Lyme, it just happened. My son who doesn't have Lyme is severely allergic to bumble bees. All of a sudden one sting was very serious.
I'm telling you this because it's very important for you to get an epipen after having this type of reaction. These allergies are often progressive, it might be even worse next time. They happen to fast to get to the ER.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
Okay now I've read all the replies. You all wrote so much good information!
I just wrote it in my todo list to ask my doctor for an epipen.
Sixgoofykids - I'm so glad you told me that the allergies can get progressively worse.
Lou wrote that bees leave stingers. I'm not sure if there's a stinger left inside me. I'm gonna do some research on the net about bee stingers. Even though the swelling went down on the bite area, it still stings every once in a while.
Posts: 32 | From TX | Registered: Jul 2011
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posted
Another thing: I wonder if it's just my lymph nodes that are swollen now... It kinda feels like it might be, but I don't know how to tell the difference.
Posts: 32 | From TX | Registered: Jul 2011
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sixgoofykids
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quote:Originally posted by Lyme1234:
Sixgoofykids - I'm so glad you told me that the allergies can get progressively worse.
We posted at the same time. I'm glad you're feeling better!
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
I'm reading now that bee stings might be beneficial for Lyme! Ha! What a coincidence!
They say the mellitin might inhibit the spirochetes.
I hope I find a stinger in me, so that I can see it was a bee! Too bad wasps don't inject you with beneficial chemicals. Posts: 32 | From TX | Registered: Jul 2011
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
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posted
Bee sting therapy is used for Lyme .... but not for people allergic to bees!
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
A wasp would not leave a stinger.... I don't think.
I was stung on my finger when I was 15 and I still remember the pain!! My entire hand swelled up and I had to have a steroid shot. It still stayed swollen for a week.
I used to have an epi-pen but got tired of buying new ones every 6 months. Now that's lazy, isn't it!?
I hope the pain is relieved soon and all will be OK!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
A Homeopathic remedy called Apis can counter-act the alleric reaction to the bee sting, and would probably also work for wasp stings. The remedy is indicated for any case of anaphylaxis (to be taken while you are on your way to the ER; do NOT rely solely on Homeopathy for life-or-death scenarios like anaphylaxis!!!)
Anaphylaxis can also have a second phase to it, so be on the lookout for a resurgence or worsening of symptoms after a few hours. I agree that you should take Benadryl for as long as you feel the swelling in your throat, even if it is just your lymph nodes that are swollen. And you might want to try making a baking-soda and water paste (some say meat tenderizer works, too) and apply that to the sting to help draw out the poison.
Peppermint is a natural bee/wasp repellant - it contains a substance that is a neurotoxin to creatures in the bee family.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4167 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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I'm glad you're feeling better!
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