To speak to the doctor about a wasp sting or is this normal?

[Hopeandeggs]

We were away from home last week and I got stung for the first time. Within minutes it went from a tiny raised 1cm circle to a huge raised section of my arm. I had the obvious pain and itchyness and discolouration.
I've also had pins and needles, headache and nausea. The swelling took a few days to go down. It's still itchy now.

Is this normal for a sting or do I need to be careful and mention it to the doctor?

I would probably speak to a pharmacist first and get their opinion. Have you tried any anti histamines?

Sounds like it's improving on its own. Strong allergic response. Some insect stings are awful. Good example of when to chat to a pharmacist; they will tell you if you should seek more specialist advice.

Could be an allergic reaction, and reactions can worsen with repeated exposures. Since it’s something that you’re unlikely to be exposed to frequently (eg allergens in food) I wouldn’t personally rush to see them about it (unless of course you’re still suffering) but I would definitely bring it up.

Thanks, yes I have and also a sting cream. It has started to settle now but when dd got a stung I don't remember her having swelling like I did and I'm worried about being stung again and having a bigger reaction!

Sounds exactly the same as me, except I was stung on the leg. 5 weeks later and there is still a scab but the pain has gone (took 4 weeks)

See your GP...as it could be an allergy to the wasp.

Dsis had red raised and hot to the touch skin following a wasp bite.

Totally normal. You had a bit of a reaction to the insect venom. It's clearly getting better :))

Xpost with loads of people. I didn't think of the pharmacist! Thanks will have a chat.

Sandy that's what was worrying me tbh. No one I know who has been stung had swelling like I did and i was more worried that it might be worse next time.

Large local reaction is a risk factor for allergy so I’d get tested.

Sounds like an allergy reaction.

If I eat shellfish I get weird tingling, hives and a horrible buzzing headache which feels like my head is getting bigger and smaller.

Antihistamines fix it. So I’ve not gone to the Dr about it.

Maybe I should? I don’t know. I just avoid what sets me off.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/insect-bites-and-stings/

I hope this link helps. This doesn’t need a GP appointment.

there are lots of great pics of swollen body parts after wasp/insect stings, online. Find the pic closest to what yours was like so we can see. This one is pretty gnarly.

My worst swelling was in response to flea bites, once.

I got stung on the knee last year and within hours the red ness had spread up and down my leg - went to gp and doc drew in pen around the redness, gave me antibiotics and said I had to go back in two days if the red carried on behind the lines he’d drawn. I had to go back.....ended up on IV antibiotics in hospital! I’m just saying be careful and get advice.

Thanks Newbie. It was definitely more than the 10cm that it says you should check. It's gone down though now massively so I reckon I might mention is to gp if I go about something else and speak to the pharmacist.

Ijkk it was like the bottom part of that picture but not continuing above the elbow like that does.

I think you should get it seen. Partly as if it is an allergic reaction then next time it could be worse again and you may need an epipen or similar also as others have said it may well be an infection as well if a bit of sting left in

I would decant some Anti histimine into a small bottle - the pharmarcy will sell you a medication bottle for a few pence. Label it and keep it in your handbag. If you get stung again take it immediately. As Sinkgirl said reactions can get worse with repeated exposure - particularly if you have not healed from the first one.
Your body could react more violently if you are stung again. I would mention it to your GP next time you are there. They may dismiss is though. Some GPs are pretty flippant about allergic reactions.

I took a reaction as a child, about 15 years ago. My entire arm ballooned and I had a visible criss cross rash down the entire length. The gp gave me some antihistamines and sent me on my way.

I'm now terrified lf being stung again!

As it’s improving there’s not much point in going the GP now. Get a pharmacist to look at as suggested.

I got stung as a child and nothing, got stung as an adult and hand went red and gradually swelled. After a few days my hand was pretty big and painful and I couldn't bend my fingers. I finally went to the chemist and they have me some cream and said it was an allergic reaction and I should have gone to the GP. I'm terrified of getting stung again in case it's worse, unfortunately I've passed on my fear of wasps to DD.

Would you be able to get tested properly to see how bad the reaction is?

It's coming up to wasp season so I wold go to your go for advice. Also, carry antihistamines with you at all times in case you get stung again. You've had a bad reaction, ext time it may well be worse. If you get stung near your face are, you could have severe breathing difficulties.
If you do get stung again and have trouble breathing, dial 999 at once!

I was stung on the thumb on Sunday which also swelled up. I'm going to the Doc tomorrow for a check and a Tetanus jab. I've had worse reactions in the past, so you can't be too careful. Still have the pain though.

I'm taking painkillers and smearing anti histamine cream ever few hours. Initially I had an ice pack for about 1/2 hour to stop it swelling more than it did. I also took an antihistmine pill today, but it had no additional effect and just made me very drousy.

If it's not a problem now, the Doc won't be able to do much, although a Tetanus jab is worth getting if you haven't had one in the last 10 years.

It looks like wasps are on the hunt for new colonies at the moment, which means they're agitated. Lots of people are getting stung.

what would GP do for OP, especially what would GP do that pharmacist can't do? OP won't get an epipen. are folk suggesting OP get especially strong prescription antihistamines?

No reaction to wasp stings as a child, lately have had large local reactions every time, varying in type and intensity from swelling to full body rash.

Yesterday morning was stung and within an hour had awful stomach cramps and d&v. Luckily that settled down, now just have a hot, red, itchy and very swollen arm.

Pharmacist told me after my first reaction that there was no way to tell how I would react to future stings, could be better, could be worse. Just make sure you always carry antihistamines and take them immediately.

Oh, and try and avoid getting stung Well this time I was actually asleep!! Its not like I was smothered in honey dancing outside their nest ffs!