General Chat

Have just had a dreadful wasp sting - had plenty in the past but none like this - tip of my finger - typing one finger short!!! Finger swollen, can't take rings off, throbbing and red. Flowers welcomed

Are you sure it was a wasp Anne. Have you got something to put on it? Try putting your finger with something icy from the freezer to see if you can get the swelling down.

ouch sounds painful thought this might help

How to Treat a Wasp Sting

A wasp sting will really hurt and could be deadly if they are not treated immediately. Being attacked by a wasp could happen repeatedly since some wasps are social wasps meaning they do not attack alone but in groups. They also attack the same area which could cause the swelling caused by the sting to grow considerably.

After being stung, look for the stinger/s and remove them as soon as possible. The stinger contains venom which could cause considerable swelling. There are stinger removal kits available in most pharmacies. You could buy them and store them for first aid. They could come in pumps to easily extract the stinger.

As soon as you remove the stinger, treat the swelling with alcohol. Because it has been affected with venom, there may be germs in there that could cause complications in the body. The swelling could be easily treated with ice. By consistently applying ice, the swelling could be quickly reduced and controlled.

These actions are just first aid and can only be effective if there are no additional effects felt aside from the affected area. If there are any indications of rashes as well as difficulty in breathing, seek emergency medical attention immediately. Some people can suffer an allergic reaction to the wasp sting and this could be fatal especially when there is difficulty in breathing.

Treating a wasp sting is easy but should be administered immediately. Any additional symptoms aside from pain and swelling in the affected area should have professional medical attention. If in any doubt always seek professional medical attention

It is advisable not to use tweezers to remove a wasp or bee sting because if the venom sac is still there you will only be squeezing more venom into your system. Use a credit/debit card or similar to scrape the sting out of your skin.
Apply ice to the effected area...wrap the ice in a cloth or use a bag of frozen peas etc. As above seek medical attention if you suffer a severe reaction.

you lot are all so good - really you are!!! rang the pharmacy and they said get anti-histamines immediately - I had already done the vinegar thing and I did pull the sting out with no problem

however, the swelling was a bit worrying but it is going down now, still painful though

I bought a spray too but as soon as I sprayed it, expecting a soothing feeling, I was hit with further pain, but having given birth, and lived through the war I weathered it.

thanks for all your advice, very much appreciated

I got stung by a wasp 4 weeks ago, I have never reacted so badly in my life. My whole fore arm swelled up and it felt like it was on fire for several hours. it then turned really itchy and the swelling and bruising didnt completly go for 3 weeks
I dont know if its the wasps getting stronger or me getting weaker!!!
Julia in Cambs

If you have any Ibuleve gel that is brilliant for relieving the pain and swelling quickly..
I got stung under my chin and reacted v. quickly.

Granny, a countrywoman ,used to tie half an onion onto the offending body part which would draw the sting out, and smelt awful !

A 'Piriton' tablet may help too.
Poor soul... I can feel it from here.
Deanna X

Hi Ann, sorry about your sting, they are a pest in Autumn.

Remember, Bicarb for bees,

Vinager for wasps.

OUCH. I remember my daughter was stung on the inside of her bottom lip. A first aider put vinegar on it and left her.
Within minutes she looked like she had gone 10rounds with Mike Tyson, and had to be rushed to the nearest pharmacy as it was a Saturday afternoon and the surgery was closed.
The pharmacist gave her anti-hists, but told me to call the gp out.
When she came, she said the worst thing to do was put vinegar on any sting.

It was days before the swelling went down.

Take Care Ann

Dear Ann of Green Gables

Hello

Sorry to hear about your wasp sting.
Nasty little beggar, that wasp.

Keep a watch on it and if there is anything you don't like the look of, don't hesitate in getting medical advice.

Hope the swelling goes down soon.

Take good care of yourself.

Very best wishes
xx

If you can get a horrible wasp sting, can you get a nice wasp sting?

Just wondering.

well took a Piriton and later another and went to bed because the pain was so awful - knocked unconscious virtually and only woke at 7.45 thinking it was tomorrow!!! finger still painful and swollen but not hurting quite as much

Ah! Thought it had been quiet on the boards!

Had you thought of putting aerated bread on it?

Sorry about that!, just couldn't resist it!

Hope it settles down soon.

Flying flowers on their way.

make sure there are no wasps in the flowers!!!!

Okay. I'll send 'tiger' lilies!! They'll have a bit more 'bite' !

oh good one!!!!