Yellow Jacket sting

[Sarrah]

Yesterday I went to slip on my moccasins to go outside and some evil yellow jacket must of been in there and attached itself to my toe. I screamed, killed it then pulled the stinger out.
I took antihistamine and put sting stuff on it but within the hour my face had turned beet red and I was gasping to breath. I used my inhaler and got past that. An hour after that the redness was gone and the swelling began.
The foot and leg up almost to the knee are swollen and I'm not getting around to well. My toes look like little sausages that make dimples in the really big foot.
All projects. even have to do jobs. are on hold. I've slept more in the past 24 hours than I have in the last month I'm sure. It is the antihistamine. When I put the foot down the pain really intensifies.
The kitchen is a terrible mess and I just can't do anything about it. If this goes on for a few more days it is going to be horrible. I'm hoping the putting the foot down will soon be ok so I can sit on a stool and deal with the kitchen at least. Poor DH has to do my chores and his chores as well as cook. He hates dishes so much I told him just leave them.
I have the leg elevated, drinking lots of water and taking the antihistamine and the odd Advil for the pain.
Anything else?

 

[summerthyme]

Sarrah - I'm not sure what would help now... possibly warm Epsom Salts soaks to get the circulation moving again? I'm guessing a doctor would prescribe a steroid to reduce the inflammation and swelling, but I'm not sure.

But, PLEASE.... talk to your doctor before you get stung again. You need (IMHO, of course) an Epi-Pen or other injectable epinephrine on hand. These reactions tend to worsen every time, and the next time you might not get away with just using the inhaler. Not worth risking your life for.

Summerthyme

 

[Inkywon]

Sarrah Since you pulled a stinger out, I don't think it was a yellow jacket, to quote some information on yellow jackets "The Yellow Jackets sting using their ovipositor. It does not come off after it stings and you could receive multiple stings from one yellow jacket. The stinger moves very rapidly in and out.
Chances are a killer bee, not sure but this sounds serous, like you are allergic to it. Be careful. I would go to the doctor Inky

 

[closet squirrel]

please go to the doctor. My son got stung 2 years ago and broke out in crazy hives. We went to the emergency room because he was covered in them. They said the first reaction is not as bad as future ones.

He now carrys an epipen with him at all times. He got stung again about a month ago for the first time since the original sting. He took the shot right away, took 2 benedryl and we were at the hospital in 15 minutes. They gave him an IV with all kinds of stuff in it. He was covered in a red itchy rash with giant welts withing 20 minutes and having a hard time breathing within 30. This was WITH the epipen. If he didnt give himself that shot and get right to the hospital it would have been very bad.

Like I said, the 2nd time you get stung will be much worse, go get a prescription for the shot

 

[Sarrah]

Inkywon the reason the stinger was left in is because I smushed that yellow jacket while he was on my toe. I killed him really good. He is out of his misery, I'm not.
I think you are right about needing an epi-pen summerthyme. I don't have a doctor. I doubt I'll go find one, but I'll think about it. If I could find one I don't think is a quack I'd go. But, I've been to doctors and they are mostly dangerous in my book.
DH said he was watching me to see how I went. I had a couple of bad moments today. Sweating and hot then cold, itchy but I think that is from the swelling. Rash looking thing in places and off my feed. But I'm over all feeling better I think. Poor DH he he looks tired from the double duty.
I've had reactions before from stings. Sometimes they are bad sometimes not so bad. I think it depends on where they sting me.

 

[Inkywon]

Sarrah, Now that makes sense about the stinger being left, A few months ago my DD called that her dog had been bit by a baby YJacket the dog had tried to eat it. Dogs throat swelled and was having trouble breathing well I run to the dog get antihistamine in her look at the thing DD made her spit out and it was a killer bee.
At first glance some look yellow and black like and if they are sorta smashed. first thought is Y Jacket. I do hope you get to feeling better soon. Prayers sent your way. Inky

 

[notimetospare]

This won't help you NOW, but might help in the future. I have heard of first hand accounts of folks that were stung by yellow jackets and immediately afterwards, as soon as they could locate it, grab a good leaf of plantain and chew it up. As soon as it's all chewed and yukky, plaster the sting site with the green goo. The reports I read said in each case the victim had no ill effects from the sting and the next day the site wasn't even visible. I hate yellow jackets. A few years ago my son got stuck in a tree over an upset yellow jacket nest. I HAD to rescue him and ended up stung 23 times. Horrible incident. I wish I'd know about the plantain then!!

Vickie

 

[Harkonnen]

I got nailed by one of those too. The sucker got into my glove and tagged me on the wrist. Kept on working (macho-thing), and really started to feel bad 20 min later... I thought the same thing about the stinger, but DW pulled one out.
Then came the outbreak of the hives... thought they were mosquito bites at first, but more kept coming. Off to the doc, who gave me a couple of shots. Then the swelling started, and my hand looked like a baseball glove the next day.
I was really concerned about working outside with all the bugs the next day, but couldn't chicken out for the rest of the year.
Two days later, a Bald Hornet got me on a fingertip! I couldn't believe it! I had an epi-pen, but decided to try something different, even though the doc had mentioned that every time you get stung, it gets worse. There wasn't a stinger, but immediatley stuck the finger into a cup of ice cubes and water. Kept finger in the water until it was pretty numb, and sat around waiting for the hives to show up. Once in awhile, I put some hydrogen peroxide on the sting, since it's supposed to neutralize the venom. A couple hours later, no hives, and a little minor swelling....back to work.
Unbelivable! The next day, I was in the woods, and did a backhanded swat at a bug....another yellow jacket got knocked into my glove, and stung me in the exact place on my wrist as the first one! Did the same trick with checking for stinger, sticking the wrist in the icewater, and using the peroxide (and waiting for symptoms)... Same results, with a little minor irritation. I am relieved that things have worked out so far...can't live in a bubble, and there are a lot of bugs this year. One of the shots the doc gave me was an anti-inflamitory drug....maybe that's why the swelling wasn't too bad. I was really glad not to get those hives...

 

[Sarrah]

Thanks for the tips. They will come in handy for any other victims as well.
Harkonnen, bad luck there. I am glad you found the cure so to speak. I wonder if the first set of shots helped against the problems with the last two stings? Many years ago a doctor I think it was told me to take antihistamine on a regular basis to keep it in my system during insect time. I do that but it didn't seem to help much. I have been so careful. Not wearing shorts outside and things like that. Hiding in my shoe was a dirty sneak attack.
I woke up this morning feeling good no pain in the foot. I was sure it was fine. Got out of bed and stepped down on it and it is just as it was. At least I know I can sleep with it and relieve a lot of pain resting. It is the sitting and laying down all the time that wears on a person's nerves. I managed some sausage for breakfast this morning and a cup of tea. I wobbled onto the scale and have lost 3 lbs. That is ok
DH is off doing the monthly shopping today. I can't get to the truck and certainly couldn't get around the stores so he is on his own. I hope he is ok when he gets back. I usually do the driving and I put the things away when we get home and it is all on him now. I think I feel worse for him than I do for me. I didn't think to ask him to let the hens out before he left and they are out there calling me. I can't get there so they are in the run until he gets back. Lot of food and water and enough room for them Animals are just use to routine and they don't like change.

 

[summerthyme]

Wow! Sarrah, it sounds like that was one nasty sting, to still be causing so much trouble. I'm sorry for you.

The plantain is something we've used for years for everyone who gets stung. It does work amazingly well, but not for preventing allergic reactions- just "normal" ones. comfrey also seems to work well used in the same way. I make up ice cubes of plantain and comfrey "juiced" in a blender, and leave them in bags in the fridge for people to use if they get bit or stung in the summer. They are very soothing.

The ice is an excellent idea, even without the herbs, because it should help reduce the circulation and keep the venom from getting into your system all at once. It also should help the local inflammation.

As far as the epinephrine goes... I keep small bottles of it in the fridge. Not the special epi-pen- just the 10 cc epinephrine sold at vet supply places (and through vet catalogs). Have only had to use it on hubby once- 1/2 cc to 1 cc. It can be given under the skin (subQ), using a fine 3/4" or 1" needle. Obviously, you have to be comfortable with dosing yourself, and just as obviously, you need to follow up with medical care if the reaction doesn't stop almost immediately. But this could keep you alive until you get to a hospital.

The above is NOT medical advice, obviously! But it has worked for us, and with more and more people not having medical insurance, I'm afraid more folks are going to be doing their own medical care. Scary times!

Summerthyme

 

[Imaginethat!]

The above is NOT medical advice, obviously! But it has worked for us, and with more and more people not having medical insurance, I'm afraid more folks are going to be doing their own medical care. Scary times!

Summerthyme


So true!! And not having insurance and needing medical care can put you deep into the poorhouse!! Thank-you for relaying your experiences.

Scary times indeed!

Imaginethat!

 

[Imaginethat!]

Sarrah, how are you feeling? I hope a lot better! I heard soaking in black tea helps insect bites. Don't know if it does or not, but thought I'd tell you.

Oh! In the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" they were always spraying everything with Windex. I wonder .....

Imaginethat!

 

[fruit loop]

Baking soda

Keep Benadryl around for stings. I prefer the syrup (although it tastes disgusting) to the capsules for insect bites because it takes effect faster. It's okay to double the dose, although it will knock you out pretty fast. All a doubled dose is, is equal to prescription strength.

make a paste of baking soda for insect bites. Takes the sting out.

The tea suggestion someone made IS good. Tea contains tannic acid. Soak a teabag and put it on the bite.

I also recommend the EpiPen. Now that you've been stung, you're sensitized. You've already had one bad reaction. The next one could send you into anapylactic shock which can be fatal.

 

[Harkonnen]

Another interesting tidbit: I got the post-sting advice from a guy I work with. He said that his brother is deathly allergic of stings, so he had to get advanced training on what to do in such an event. He told me that when someone is stung, included in the venom is a pheremone that is released for 48 hours (from you, the victim) that informs the other insects that you are a threat, and should be stung accordingly....therefore the multiple stings.

 

[blue gecko]

I use plantain for most stings. Summethyme, I love the ice cube idea! I've also had good luck with meat tenderizer, echinachea and activated charcoal along with the plantain as a poultice. A nurse friend suggests that you keep the benedryl liquicaps in your medical kit. They can be punctured and squirted under your tongue for quick delivery in an emergency. I've never heard about the pheremone thing but its certainly something to think about, thanks for the heads-up Harkonnen. Sarah, considering your reaction, I urge you to get the epi-pen just in case...no point in fooling around with your life. BG

 

[Sarrah]

Here I am on day whatever it is still kicking so to speak.
The swelling is starting to go down. I can walk without my cane. I get around pretty good. I went outside wearing my one moccosin on my small foot and DH's flip flop on the bigger one. It worked. I told DH I'm able to take back my chores. I notice it tends to swell when I am very mobile so I stop and put it up for awhile. DH said if I can't stand long enough to cook dinner and do dishes to let him cook. I told you he hated dishes. Actually he asked if I'd like to go to town for dinner. But I wouldn't the moccosin flip flop look is probably not the in thing to wear this season.