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Original poster

Is this wasp sting looking okay?

26 replies

woolieapple · 06/09/2023 10:32

I was stung last night while on a walk- bloody hell it hurt.

It was a huge wasp. And it actually got stuck and I had to swot it off my leg. It's stinger got left behind which I am aware doesn't tend to happen with wasps? But it wasn't a bee.

Anyway it's very red and has a white head (pus) there now. Does all look okay for a wasp sting? I haven't been stung before!

Is this wasp sting looking okay?
OP posts:
lilyblue5 · 06/09/2023 10:34

Is the stinger or part of it stuck inside still? Only this happened to me recently and it was blooming painful!
if you are confident it’s all out I’d go to pharmacy and get some bite cream.
you could draw around the reddening part; if that’s spreading you might need something stronger…

Spinet · 06/09/2023 10:34

Poor you! I'm not an expert but I would be taking an antihistamine and drawing a circle round the red bit now. If it looks worse after a couple of hours I'd get medical advice. On the other hand you could go to the pharmacist straight off.

Original poster
woolieapple · 06/09/2023 10:42

lilyblue5 · 06/09/2023 10:34

Is the stinger or part of it stuck inside still? Only this happened to me recently and it was blooming painful!
if you are confident it’s all out I’d go to pharmacy and get some bite cream.
you could draw around the reddening part; if that’s spreading you might need something stronger…

Yes I definitely pulled it out! It was fascinating actually haha! But I was too in pain to be too fascinated in the moment. It hurt like hell!

Will keep an eye on it.

OP posts:
jannier · 06/09/2023 10:50

woolieapple · 06/09/2023 10:42

Yes I definitely pulled it out! It was fascinating actually haha! But I was too in pain to be too fascinated in the moment. It hurt like hell!

Will keep an eye on it.

Show quote history

You need to scrap a sting out if you pull it you squeeze more poison in credit cards are good. Take antihistamines if it continues to swell...outline with pen as above...ask pharmacy

SingingSands · 06/09/2023 10:51

Looks painful, but not unusual. The redness is your body responding to the sting. Obviously keep an eye on it.

Sometimes on MN people see a bit of redness and panic, buts it is a natural and helpful biological response.

Sympathies though because wasp stings hurt a lot. Have you any antiseptic cream? What's the one that numbs slights - is it Germolene? My cure-all is Sudocreme, antihistamine tablet and a cuppa!

Hope it's feeling better in 24 hours.

Chiaseedling · 06/09/2023 13:21

I had a really bad reaction to a wasp sting once. Was on my finger and Whole arm swelled up immediately and was really painful. Was in the days they sent doctors out (mid 90s) and he came to give me an antihistamine injection! Hurt for days… now I’d be going to walk in. If I were you I’d take antihistamine.
Im not sure if it was a full allergic reaction or just a ‘bad’ sting but am v wary of wasps.

sashh · 07/09/2023 02:28

Another vote for antihistamines (oral not cream), I react like that, the big red bit surrounding the sting, and insects love me.

Original poster
woolieapple · 07/09/2023 10:09

An update today... the redness has spread a lot. Have had a daily antihistamine but not helping much. My leg is sore haha!

Is this wasp sting looking okay?
OP posts:
pilea01 · 07/09/2023 10:15

to me this looks like an infected sting, you might need antibiotics :/

Original poster
woolieapple · 07/09/2023 10:21

pilea01 · 07/09/2023 10:15

to me this looks like an infected sting, you might need antibiotics :/

Oh god really? I doubt I'll get an app with my GP today

OP posts:
pilea01 · 07/09/2023 10:24

i'm not sure but i got stung by a wasp recently and it looked like this, was really itchy too:( was on antibiotics for a whole week. better to get it checked if it's not any better tomorrow?

Spinet · 07/09/2023 10:30

I would get a pharmacist to look at it if you can't get a GP appt.

Original poster
woolieapple · 07/09/2023 11:57

pilea01 · 07/09/2023 10:24

i'm not sure but i got stung by a wasp recently and it looked like this, was really itchy too:( was on antibiotics for a whole week. better to get it checked if it's not any better tomorrow?

Oh no really!! I wonder how it's got infected. I'll pop into the local pharmacy and see what they say. I have been able to book an online app with GP but it's tonight at 7

OP posts:
blobby10 · 07/09/2023 12:12

@woolieapple that needs antibiotics. I had a wasp sting me (bloody thing flew down my jacket sleeve) and thought nothing of it as my body over reacts to horse fly bites anyway. Next day had to take a child to Minor Injuries and whilst sorting the child, the nurse noticed my arm - she was horrified I was ignoring it. Apparently 'wasps are dirty buggers who stick their stings into multiple things and never clean in between'!!! Grin I had a course of antibiotics and antihistamines with lots of cold water splashed on the area to try and cool it down until the pills kicked in.

Original poster
woolieapple · 07/09/2023 12:30

blobby10 · 07/09/2023 12:12

@woolieapple that needs antibiotics. I had a wasp sting me (bloody thing flew down my jacket sleeve) and thought nothing of it as my body over reacts to horse fly bites anyway. Next day had to take a child to Minor Injuries and whilst sorting the child, the nurse noticed my arm - she was horrified I was ignoring it. Apparently 'wasps are dirty buggers who stick their stings into multiple things and never clean in between'!!! Grin I had a course of antibiotics and antihistamines with lots of cold water splashed on the area to try and cool it down until the pills kicked in.

Oh bloody hell! I'm assuming I can wait for the antibiotics tomorrow due to dr app tonight? I won't be able to collect until tomorrow or shall I head to a walk in centre?

OP posts:
Original poster
woolieapple · 07/09/2023 12:45

This is now; but it has been very itchy

Is this wasp sting looking okay?
OP posts:
pilea01 · 07/09/2023 12:54

i'm sure tomorrow is fine too! 👍

jannier · 07/09/2023 13:33

woolieapple · 07/09/2023 12:45

This is now; but it has been very itchy

Does a cold compress make it more comfortable. Some pharmacy's can prescribe nowadays

Original poster
woolieapple · 07/09/2023 13:43

Doctor just called and seeing me at 4:30pm now!

OP posts:
Original poster
woolieapple · 07/09/2023 14:37

They've just cancelled 😬 told me to go to urgent care but it's a current 4 hour wait! So will call in the morning at 8am

OP posts:
blobby10 · 07/09/2023 15:09

@woolieapple the danger will be if you scratch it, break the skin then it gets infected which could cause cellulitis which is a whole other area of horror! The most effective way I’ve ever found of cooling bites and stings down is to either use a flannel that’s been in the freezer (in a sandwich bag to avoid contamination) for small areas or a tea towel soaked in cold water then wring out or even ice packs for a swelling like yours x aloe Vera gel that’s been on the fridge or freezer is also wonderful xx good luck! Hope it feels better soon x

Original poster
woolieapple · 07/09/2023 16:55

I've just been seen in the end! I have a temp too; so antibiotics were prescribed

OP posts:
GingerIsBest · 07/09/2023 17:05

Good job. It did look slightly better in the last picture but it did seem infected to me albeit not as swollen as when it happened to me.

Take the antibiotics and the antihistamines. I got this weird overpriced sort of water spray from la Roche possay which was surprisingly effective -w as recommended by the pharmacist. Really helped to reduce the itching.

sourpussextra · 07/09/2023 17:08

You could be getting cellulitis draw a line round the outer edges of the rash and watch for spread

lilyblue5 · 07/09/2023 17:44

Yikes! That escalated fast! Nasty wasp! Glad you got some anti b and hope it kicks in quickly