out of commission from a wasp sting

[bunyip]

Couldnt get my weedeater running one time . finally found mud dobbers had plugged ug the exhaust hole.

Happened with my Sach DOlmar chainsaw, they got in the 'S' bend in the air intake, got a handful of blisters before I found it, then they got the little air intakes on the Stihl brushcutter, I was a bit more savvy by then.
I cover them with a plastic bag now when not being used but I have to wonder what other surprises they will have in store for me.

 

[dodge man]

I also have a problem with wasp sting but not as bad. It hurts swells and itchs all at the same time.

 

[denmis]

you are having a true allergic reaction and each time you get stung it will be worse. I am the same way. The best option is benadryl immediately followed by a long acting anti-histamine like Zyrtec in about 2 hr. Benadryl is very potent anti-histamine (will also put you to sleep) but is gone within about 4 hr. Allergic reactions can be very serious

I got stung by a wasp a few years ago pulling leaves out of the gutter. I though I scraped it on the shingle until I saw the wasp come out. My knuckle was slightly swollen. About a year later I was stung on the hand, and my hand and arm swelled to the elbow for three days. A year after that I got hit on the ankle, and my foot swelled up such that I couldn't get my shoe on for three days. I take Benadryl each time I've been stung, so I'm not sure if did any good at all. No doubt it gets worse each time. I'm concerned that I'll get stung on the neck next time. I should probably get an Epi-pen, but they are so doggone expensive now I haven't gotten around to it.

On the other hand, I've been stung about six times since then by yellow jackets with no reaction whatsoever. I guess the allergic reaction to the venom is very specific.

 

[Industrial Toys]

The itching much later can drive you crazy, in my experience, on the palm or hand. It's an itch you can't really scratch or satisfy!

 

[wheelbuilder]

A friend of mine got stung and thought she'd be ok. About an hour later she thought better and decided to drive to the ER. She got down the road about 2 miles from her house, pulled over called for an ambulance. They had an epi pen and took her to the hospital. She's made up her mind that the next time she gets stung, she won't try driving. Things can change quickly.

I'm more fortunate so far, baking powder mixed with some water usually take the worst out of stings if I can get some on quickly. If not asprin and or Benadryl.

Keep an eye on that hand, make sure you can feel each finger. I'd rather spend some time waiting on a professional that to get outdone by a wasp.

Hope you are on the mend soon.

 

[rangerfredbob]

yellow jackets and hornets bite not sting, only honey bees and maybe bumble bees sting and leave a stinger behind, if you know what got you (I can tell by feel...) you can skip the scraping step, I should have taken benedryl on Friday instead of Saturday afternoon... but my swelling is way down, and hurts less than it did yesterday.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I "Thought" wasps left the stinger and poison bag, still pumping away, on your person while taking the life of the poor unfortunate insect.

 

[ArlyA]

This is correct, our ability to tolerate a string or two changes with age and other factors. Since we get stung every summer, while in the woods and no cell service, we now carry benadryl and epi pens in our kits. We are not allergic to any stings, but if someone gets stung enough, you still die.

A friend of mine had been stung a lot in his line of work (HVAC guy) and only in the past few years did it bother him to the point where he would swell up just like the OP described. His doctor explained that we do not build immunity with each successive sting but rather just the opposite...the sensitivity increases. So he carries the epi-pen everywhere now also. He also says to use a credit card to scrape the site of the sting (to remove the stinger) as soon as possible. Those things are nasty and can build a nest in a day or two. In my first house the builder apparently mis-measured on the number of trusses needed for the garage so built one on site. The gussets were full of wasps so I waited until evening and sprayed them all. By morning there were probably 1,000 dead wasps on the floor. I've gotten nailed just opening the lid on the side burner of a gas grill (in fact on my last grill I had to search for a model that didn't have a side burner). The valve cover on my LP tank is all beat up because they will whack it with a stick before they open it. In my last house I opened the door of a shed to get the mower and was immediately attacked by several. Fortunately it was a very hot humid day and my hair was plastered to my head so they just bounced off.

 

[Diggin It]

I "Thought" wasps left the stinger and poison bag, still pumping away, on your person while taking the life of the poor unfortunate insect.

That's bees, and only some varieties. Wasps can hit you again and again and again, and quickly too.

I'd be as concerned about the swelling as anything. It can put pressure on blood vessels and nerves which can lead to other complications.

 

[Industrial Toys]

If you use an epipen (sp?) even if you are not terribly allergic, will you avoid the swelling and terrible itching days later?