Wasp sting swelling a week later...

[FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse]

Last week, after a lovely day volunteering for a charity (proving karma has skipped me) I was stung on the lip by a wasp.

It's now five days later and I've woken up to the sting-site having swelled up as though it had just happened. It doesn't hurt, but it tingles. Doesn't feel hot.

I don't know if it's connected, but I've also had ridiculously itchy legs for three days. It's been waking me up and driving me insane. I've never had it before, there's no visible rash, just the horrible and un-ignorable itching.

Does anyone have any advice? Is this a normal reaction? I haven't been stung since a child. Dr Google isn't helping me.

Take an antihistamine tablet as soon as you can. If it doesn't reduce the swelling quickly, see a pharmacist this morning.

Antihistamine taken :)

Pharmacist is an excellent idea

Actually I'd ring the NHS helpline as it sounds a bit weird. I don't know if anaphylactic shock can cause a delayed reaction, but you ought to find out.

Have just rung them and been told they're happy for me to self care and see the GP if it worsens.

I had the same after my last wasp sting (on my finger - wasp was hiding on some clothes I'd brought in from the washing line). A few days afterward, found myself covered in an intensely itchy rash, all over my arms and legs in particular. I didn't initially make the connection but afterward, antihistamines did help. I've since been told that the reaction could be a 'sign' of a worsening allergy, ie that further stings could cause increasingly severe reactions. Not sure how true this is?

Rash was quite faint, but hive-like, if that makes sense

Thanks Bella, that's really helpful. It does seem too much of a coincidence. I'm thinking a mild allergy.

I've called NHS and they've said self-care with antihistamines and cream for itching, and see GP if it gets worse.

ThenBella, your nn ... something in my eye...