bee sting question
Question:
>Damn glad you would go this far. If you would "tend" to agree, what is >your reservation. > Larry
What goes around comes around. I think your response is unnecessary.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > In summary,she thinks this was a bad reaction that could have gone south > > very easily and next time we might not be so lucky. > I would not suggest you ignore your doctor’s advice about getting a > specialist’s opinion, but I will argue with her predictions regarding > future reactions. There is nothing, nothing in the story you tell that > suggests systemic allergy. Local reactions, no matter how large (for > instance the entire arm, the entire head, the foot to the knee), do not > presage systemic reactions in the future. >I would tend to agree.
However a local reaction to a bite on the throat can still be dangerous if the swelling starts to close the airway. — Five Cats
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> > In summary,she thinks this was a bad reaction that could have gone south >> > very easily and next time we might not be so lucky. >> I would not suggest you ignore your doctor’s advice about getting a >> specialist’s opinion, but I will argue with her predictions regarding >> future reactions. There is nothing, nothing in the story you tell that >> suggests systemic allergy. Local reactions, no matter how large (for >> instance the entire arm, the entire head, the foot to the knee), do not >> presage systemic reactions in the future. >I would tend to agree. > However a local reaction to a bite on the throat can still be dangerous > if the swelling starts to close the airway.
A bite on the throat will not cause swelling that can compromise the airway, as that airway is protected by the rigid larynx and trachea. A bite sustained while swallowing a stinging insect might cause such swelling, and you may occasionally find one of these critters in your glass of Pepsi when you are outdoors on the porch. I have seen one sting on the very back of the tongue, with the stinger still in, and it did not lead to significant respiratory distress. Larry Larry
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > > In summary,she thinks this was a bad reaction that could have gone south > > > very easily and next time we might not be so lucky. > > I would not suggest you ignore your doctor’s advice about getting a > > specialist’s opinion, but I will argue with her predictions regarding > > future reactions. There is nothing, nothing in the story you tell that > > suggests systemic allergy. Local reactions, no matter how large (for > > instance the entire arm, the entire head, the foot to the knee), do not > > presage systemic reactions in the future. > I would tend to agree. > — > CBI, MD > Damn glad you would go this far. If you would "tend" to agree, what is > your reservation.
Only for dinner.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > In summary,she thinks this was a bad reaction that could have gone south > > very easily and next time we might not be so lucky. > I would not suggest you ignore your doctor’s advice about getting a > specialist’s opinion, but I will argue with her predictions regarding > future reactions. There is nothing, nothing in the story you tell that > suggests systemic allergy. Local reactions, no matter how large (for > instance the entire arm, the entire head, the foot to the knee), do not > presage systemic reactions in the future. > I would tend to agree. > — > CBI, MD
Damn glad you would go this far. If you would "tend" to agree, what is your reservation. Larry
Response:
> In summary,she thinks this was a bad reaction that could have gone south > very easily and next time we might not be so lucky. > I would not suggest you ignore your doctor’s advice about getting a > specialist’s opinion, but I will argue with her predictions regarding > future reactions. There is nothing, nothing in the story you tell that > suggests systemic allergy. Local reactions, no matter how large (for > instance the entire arm, the entire head, the foot to the knee), do not > presage systemic reactions in the future.
I would tend to agree. — CBI, MD "Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it." -Andre Gide
Response:
> There are tests to see if he is at risk by stings and bites.
Unfortunately, there are not. Larry
Response:
> Hi Susan, > He is feeling ok now,except for having to take the cipro…he hates that > antibiotic worse than any of them. He has a lot of side effects from it. > Yes,he is very brave,but sometimes it really gets him down. He sais "i > just want to be normal" The longest he has gone without an infection is > 2 weeks. > The dr told me to carry 2 epi-pens with me at all times,because 1 will > only buy you about 20 minutes and we live in the country. She also > suggested he get the "sting test" to see how suseptable he is to other > types of stings.(someone on here said there is no such tests) but shes a > pulmonologist / immunologist and she said there was..? go figure. > Anyway…thanks for your concern and he is out of danger now…LYNN
If it is decided that desensitization will be needed, and that is determined by evaluation of previous reactions, skin test to the various Hymenoptera are used to decide how to compose the treatment extract. Your doctor is wrong in thinking that any tests can show the liklihood of systemic reactions. Curious that she is a pulmonologist/immunologist: it would take rather an unusual combination of formal training programs to claim such accreditation. Larry
Response:
There are tests to see if he is at risk by stings and bites. They are not comfortable to say the least. I had allergy shots to see what I was allergic to by an allergist long ago. Did anyone say anything about bendryl for him if he gets stung or bit? Do me a favor please, tell him I said he is normal and that he will be okay. He is so young and sounds scared and maybe coming from a stranger he will know he will be okay. And he will be. He just has to be more careful than others. That’s all. 2 epi pens sounds to me like a really large dose for someone so little. Maybe someone here can tell you. I am new to the group, so I don’t know the posters. John, Fran can you help her with this? If you would like to email me please feel free to do so. UM MOM Susan
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Susan, > He is feeling ok now,except for having to take the cipro…he hates that > antibiotic worse than any of them. He has a lot of side effects from it. > Yes,he is very brave,but sometimes it really gets him down. He sais "i > just want to be normal" The longest he has gone without an infection is > 2 weeks. > The dr told me to carry 2 epi-pens with me at all times,because 1 will > only buy you about 20 minutes and we live in the country. She also > suggested he get the "sting test" to see how suseptable he is to other > types of stings.(someone on here said there is no such tests) but shes a > pulmonologist / immunologist and she said there was..? go figure. > Anyway…thanks for your concern and he is out of danger now…LYNN
Response:
Hi Susan, He is feeling ok now,except for having to take the cipro…he hates that antibiotic worse than any of them. He has a lot of side effects from it. Yes,he is very brave,but sometimes it really gets him down. He sais "i just want to be normal" The longest he has gone without an infection is 2 weeks. The dr told me to carry 2 epi-pens with me at all times,because 1 will only buy you about 20 minutes and we live in the country. She also suggested he get the "sting test" to see how suseptable he is to other types of stings.(someone on here said there is no such tests) but shes a pulmonologist / immunologist and she said there was..? go figure. Anyway…thanks for your concern and he is out of danger now…LYNN
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> ya’ll should be happy to know i did call the dr about it. And actually > got to talk to her (not her nurse) so she must have thought it was > important. > First..it was a wasp and no they dont leave a stinger..only the honey > bee leaves a stinger. > By this afternoon when i finally called her,there were red streaks in > the bruises,so went ahead and started him on a round of cipro (thats > what he takes…that other stuff doesnt work on him) > She also said that his NEXT encounter with a wasp might be a much worse > reaction (with the amount of IGE in his system and all) so she > instructed me to get 2 more epi pens (one to get you to the phone…the > other to get you to the hospital) She also said that there is a special > allergy test for insects?..anyway…she wants him to have that test done > also. > In summary,she thinks this was a bad reaction that could have gone south > very easily and next time we might not be so lucky. >I would not suggest you ignore your doctor’s advice about getting a >specialist’s opinion, but I will argue with her predictions regarding >future reactions. There is nothing, nothing in the story you tell that >suggests systemic allergy. Local reactions, no matter how large (for >instance the entire arm, the entire head, the foot to the knee), do not >presage systemic reactions in the future.
The two big risks with stings in sensitive people are anaphylactic shock (hence the epi pen), and swelling obstructing the airway if the string is in an unfortunate place. Get the epi pens, and don’t hesitate to take him to hospital if there is a next time. Happily I found that sensitivity to one kind of insect doesn’t mean another will cause grief – I got a sting years ago on the back of my leg (insect unknown) which raised a weal the size of a dinner plate, but a wasp sting (maybe a small one) was no real problem. The first sting was painless, the wasp sting hurt at the time. >There is no test to tell if a person is at risk for systemic sting >reactions; 40% of people who have been stung, ever, will have a >positive skin test to at least one of the Hymenoptera, thus >invalidating it as a test predictive of bee sting allergy. Strange as >it may seem, the decision that desensitization should be performed >comes first, based upon the occurance of a systemic reaction, then the >skin tests to decide which venoms most appropriately would be included >in the treatment mix. >Be careful, of course, but so not consider the person you describe to >be any more likely than your next-door neighbor to have a generalized >allergic reaction the next time they are stung. > Larry
– Five Cats
Response:
Lynn, How is he feeling now? As for it being dangerous for him, you are right. He is a high risk child and I am sorry to hear this. He is so young to have to go through what adults usually have trouble dealing with. Did your doctor give you any advice on how to protect him from further bites? I hope he is feeling better and wish you all well. UM MOM Susan
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Just to clarify…(not being hateful in any way)…My son does have a > greater risk of having a bad reaction next time ,because of the amount > of IGE in his system. Im sure you have seen other posts of mine…he has > jobs syndrome and is at a very high risk for anaplactic (however you > spell that ) shock. > Anyway…his bruse is fading a bit but we will continue the cipro for 21 > days just to be sure the infection doesnt spread. > Incedently…he gets stung every year by something..one yr it was a red > ant bed..one year a spider,honey bee..and always the wasp (they are bad > in these parts 
Its like he attracts them for some reason. But this > was by far his worse reaction yet,and strangly ,he had a similar > reaction to his (maintenence level) allergy shot the other > day..hmmmmmmmmm
Response:
Just to clarify…(not being hateful in any way)…My son does have a greater risk of having a bad reaction next time ,because of the amount of IGE in his system. Im sure you have seen other posts of mine…he has jobs syndrome and is at a very high risk for anaplactic (however you spell that ) shock. Anyway…his bruse is fading a bit but we will continue the cipro for 21 days just to be sure the infection doesnt spread. Incedently…he gets stung every year by something..one yr it was a red ant bed..one year a spider,honey bee..and always the wasp (they are bad in these parts Its like he attracts them for some reason. But this was by far his worse reaction yet,and strangly ,he had a similar reaction to his (maintenence level) allergy shot the other day..hmmmmmmmmm
Response:
Thank you, that is why I asked for your source. Not to give you a hard time but to be able to research it myself. I am sorry about coming across as angry or unfriendly, I am not feeling good and have other medical problems and lots of meds. So being rude was not my intention and I do appologize. UM MOM Susan
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Please give where you got this data. Because a allergic reaction now will > probably escalate with further stings, say like fire ants. And on another > note, your response to me above was uncalled for since I didn’t say anything > to deserve it. UM MOM Susan > Concerning my response to your recent posting, the exchange was: > "It is obvious that you can not help me with my problems and that you > will ignore me no matter what I say so I am leaving and I wish you all > the best. Good luck and I hope your group get a tad friendlier. UM MOM > Susan > You know, Susan, we have all tried to be hospitable and helpful to the > limits of skills, our infomation and our understanding. I believe, > after all, you have just showed us who is unfriendly. Please close the > door behind you. > Larry" > As regards my statements about bee sting reactions, you should feel > free to accept or reject them, as you wish. They are in the position > statements, however, of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and > Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. > You will find the same statements in any textbook of allergy you would > wish to consult. > You should never accept what you read on the internet as the > authoritative answer to anything. If what you read is counter to > information you possess, you should discard it with disgust. > Larry
Response:
> Please give where you got this data. Because a allergic reaction now will > probably escalate with further stings, say like fire ants. And on another > note, your response to me above was uncalled for since I didn’t say anything > to deserve it. UM MOM Susan
Concerning my response to your recent posting, the exchange was: "It is obvious that you can not help me with my problems and that you will ignore me no matter what I say so I am leaving and I wish you all the best. Good luck and I hope your group get a tad friendlier. UM MOM Susan You know, Susan, we have all tried to be hospitable and helpful to the limits of skills, our infomation and our understanding. I believe, after all, you have just showed us who is unfriendly. Please close the door behind you. Larry" As regards my statements about bee sting reactions, you should feel free to accept or reject them, as you wish. They are in the position statements, however, of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. You will find the same statements in any textbook of allergy you would wish to consult. You should never accept what you read on the internet as the authoritative answer to anything. If what you read is counter to information you possess, you should discard it with disgust. Larry
Response:
Please give where you got this data. Because a allergic reaction now will probably escalate with further stings, say like fire ants. And on another note, your response to me above was uncalled for since I didn’t say anything to deserve it. UM MOM Susan
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> ya’ll should be happy to know i did call the dr about it. And actually > got to talk to her (not her nurse) so she must have thought it was > important. > First..it was a wasp and no they dont leave a stinger..only the honey > bee leaves a stinger. > By this afternoon when i finally called her,there were red streaks in > the bruises,so went ahead and started him on a round of cipro (thats > what he takes…that other stuff doesnt work on him) > She also said that his NEXT encounter with a wasp might be a much worse > reaction (with the amount of IGE in his system and all) so she > instructed me to get 2 more epi pens (one to get you to the phone…the > other to get you to the hospital) She also said that there is a special > allergy test for insects?..anyway…she wants him to have that test done > also. > In summary,she thinks this was a bad reaction that could have gone south > very easily and next time we might not be so lucky. > I would not suggest you ignore your doctor’s advice about getting a > specialist’s opinion, but I will argue with her predictions regarding > future reactions. There is nothing, nothing in the story you tell that > suggests systemic allergy. Local reactions, no matter how large (for > instance the entire arm, the entire head, the foot to the knee), do not > presage systemic reactions in the future. > There is no test to tell if a person is at risk for systemic sting > reactions; 40% of people who have been stung, ever, will have a > positive skin test to at least one of the Hymenoptera, thus > invalidating it as a test predictive of bee sting allergy. Strange as > it may seem, the decision that desensitization should be performed > comes first, based upon the occurance of a systemic reaction, then the > skin tests to decide which venoms most appropriately would be included > in the treatment mix. > Be careful, of course, but so not consider the person you describe to > be any more likely than your next-door neighbor to have a generalized > allergic reaction the next time they are stung. > Larry
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > ya’ll should be happy to know i did call the dr about it. And actually > got to talk to her (not her nurse) so she must have thought it was > important. > First..it was a wasp and no they dont leave a stinger..only the honey > bee leaves a stinger. > By this afternoon when i finally called her,there were red streaks in > the bruises,so went ahead and started him on a round of cipro (thats > what he takes…that other stuff doesnt work on him) > She also said that his NEXT encounter with a wasp might be a much worse > reaction (with the amount of IGE in his system and all) so she > instructed me to get 2 more epi pens (one to get you to the phone…the > other to get you to the hospital) She also said that there is a special > allergy test for insects?..anyway…she wants him to have that test done > also. > In summary,she thinks this was a bad reaction that could have gone south > very easily and next time we might not be so lucky.
I would not suggest you ignore your doctor’s advice about getting a specialist’s opinion, but I will argue with her predictions regarding future reactions. There is nothing, nothing in the story you tell that suggests systemic allergy. Local reactions, no matter how large (for instance the entire arm, the entire head, the foot to the knee), do not presage systemic reactions in the future. There is no test to tell if a person is at risk for systemic sting reactions; 40% of people who have been stung, ever, will have a positive skin test to at least one of the Hymenoptera, thus invalidating it as a test predictive of bee sting allergy. Strange as it may seem, the decision that desensitization should be performed comes first, based upon the occurance of a systemic reaction, then the skin tests to decide which venoms most appropriately would be included in the treatment mix. Be careful, of course, but so not consider the person you describe to be any more likely than your next-door neighbor to have a generalized allergic reaction the next time they are stung. Larry
Response:
ya’ll should be happy to know i did call the dr about it. And actually got to talk to her (not her nurse) so she must have thought it was important. First..it was a wasp and no they dont leave a stinger..only the honey bee leaves a stinger. By this afternoon when i finally called her,there were red streaks in the bruises,so went ahead and started him on a round of cipro (thats what he takes…that other stuff doesnt work on him) She also said that his NEXT encounter with a wasp might be a much worse reaction (with the amount of IGE in his system and all) so she instructed me to get 2 more epi pens (one to get you to the phone…the other to get you to the hospital) She also said that there is a special allergy test for insects?..anyway…she wants him to have that test done also. In summary,she thinks this was a bad reaction that could have gone south very easily and next time we might not be so lucky.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >After reading the other responses to your post I decided to relate my >experience. But first, I’ve always been under the impression that wasps >don’t leave a stinger behind like honey bees. Any entomologists out there >that can tell me if I’m wrong or right please chime in. About ten years ago >I stepped on a bee. The stinger stayed in and it stayed swollen for a >couple weeks. I finally went to my GP and he said not to worry about it, >that my body would absorb it. Or, he said he could cut it out. The idea of >a blade to the bottom of my foot was not appealing! So, I let it alone. At >the time I was a very active volleyball player so I was jumping on the foot >quite a bit. The swelling were the stinger went in never really went away >and after a couple years it started growing. The swollen area finally got >so large that I was walking on the outside of my foot. Now I went back to >the doctor and he was concerned and sent me to see a General Surgeon who >didn’t want to touch it. After a initial scare about it maybe being a >vascular tumor a Plastic Surgeon did the surgery and it turned out to be a >cyst. To the point, not having the stinger taken out right away cost a lot >of money, pain and general unpleasantness. My advice, if the stinger really >is still in there get it out now.
Interesting story. Here’s another. About 10 years ago – my husband stepped into a few fire ants. Stung him on his left foot. Eventually got over it — but ended up with a swollen ankle. It gets swollen to this day – swollen more often than not. Dr. gave him some diuretic one time (this was some years down the line). HOWEVER, about 4 years ago – I was out of town – and he got stung right on the forehead by a waspbee, whatever. (I was out of town at the time.) He looked like something out of the movie "Mask" when I saw him. Told him — get to the doctor NOW. This was a couple of days after getting stung by the waspbee. He was put on something PLUS taking Benadryl 3-4 times daily. Helped his forehead and also – the swelling in his ankle went down for the first time in a very looooong time. I still think that initial fire ant siege has something to do with the swollen ankle a good bit of the time. Can’t take Benadryl 4 times a day, however. Just never know what these stings are going to do. But first thing —- see a Doctor! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
> i have a question…I thought it might be a silly one so i dont want to > bother my (very busy) dr with it . > My son got stung by a wasp thursday..5 times. > It swelled up and covered about 1/3 of his back but he had no shortness > of breath or anything like that. We kept a steroid cream on it for > several days until the heat and swelling went out of it. NOW…it is > badly bruised..one of the bruises is about the size of a softball. My > question is…Is this normal or is it something to be concerned about? I > feel like since 4 days have passed that its probably nothing to worry > about…but Ive never seen a bee sting bruise like that. What does that > mean…and do you think its ok for him to get his regular alergy shot on > tues?
After reading the other responses to your post I decided to relate my experience. But first, I’ve always been under the impression that wasps don’t leave a stinger behind like honey bees. Any entomologists out there that can tell me if I’m wrong or right please chime in. About ten years ago I stepped on a bee. The stinger stayed in and it stayed swollen for a couple weeks. I finally went to my GP and he said not to worry about it, that my body would absorb it. Or, he said he could cut it out. The idea of a blade to the bottom of my foot was not appealing! So, I let it alone. At the time I was a very active volleyball player so I was jumping on the foot quite a bit. The swelling were the stinger went in never really went away and after a couple years it started growing. The swollen area finally got so large that I was walking on the outside of my foot. Now I went back to the doctor and he was concerned and sent me to see a General Surgeon who didn’t want to touch it. After a initial scare about it maybe being a vascular tumor a Plastic Surgeon did the surgery and it turned out to be a cyst. To the point, not having the stinger taken out right away cost a lot of money, pain and general unpleasantness. My advice, if the stinger really is still in there get it out now.
Response:
Take your son to the doctors. It is very possible that the stinger (s) are still in. I react badly to fire ants and bee stings and I was alway told to take Bendryl 25mg-50mg and then get to the dr or hospital ASAP. The reason for this is I go into respiratory arrest. I am not trying to scare you and if I am I am sorry. Your son’s symtoms are not like how I react other than the pain swelling and the bruising I also get. I hope this helps. UM MOM Susan
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> i have a question…I thought it might be a silly one so i dont want to > bother my (very busy) dr with it . > My son got stung by a wasp thursday..5 times. > It swelled up and covered about 1/3 of his back but he had no shortness > of breath or anything like that. We kept a steroid cream on it for > several days until the heat and swelling went out of it. NOW…it is > badly bruised..one of the bruises is about the size of a softball. My > question is…Is this normal or is it something to be concerned about? I > feel like since 4 days have passed that its probably nothing to worry > about…but Ive never seen a bee sting bruise like that. What does that > mean…and do you think its ok for him to get his regular alergy shot on > tues?
Response:
>i have a question…I thought it might be a silly one so i dont want to >bother my (very busy) dr with it . >My son got stung by a wasp thursday..5 times. >It swelled up and covered about 1/3 of his back but he had no shortness >of breath or anything like that. We kept a steroid cream on it for >several days until the heat and swelling went out of it. NOW…it is >badly bruised..one of the bruises is about the size of a softball. My >question is…Is this normal or is it something to be concerned about? I >feel like since 4 days have passed that its probably nothing to worry >about…but Ive never seen a bee sting bruise like that. What does that >mean…and do you think its ok for him to get his regular alergy shot on >tues?
Probably be a very good thing to call your doctor about. "With Confidence in our Armed Forces – with the determination of our people – we will gain the inevitable triumph – so help us god." Franklin Delano Roseveldt, 8 december 1941
Response:
i have a question…I thought it might be a silly one so i dont want to bother my (very busy) dr with it . My son got stung by a wasp thursday..5 times. It swelled up and covered about 1/3 of his back but he had no shortness of breath or anything like that. We kept a steroid cream on it for several days until the heat and swelling went out of it. NOW…it is badly bruised..one of the bruises is about the size of a softball. My question is…Is this normal or is it something to be concerned about? I feel like since 4 days have passed that its probably nothing to worry about…but Ive never seen a bee sting bruise like that. What does that mean…and do you think its ok for him to get his regular alergy shot on tues?
Response:
>i have a question…I thought it might be a silly one so i dont want to >bother my (very busy) dr with it . >My son got stung by a wasp thursday..5 times. >It swelled up and covered about 1/3 of his back but he had no shortness >of breath or anything like that. We kept a steroid cream on it for >several days until the heat and swelling went out of it. NOW…it is >badly bruised..one of the bruises is about the size of a softball. My >question is…Is this normal or is it something to be concerned about? I >feel like since 4 days have passed that its probably nothing to worry >about…but Ive never seen a bee sting bruise like that. What does that >mean…and do you think its ok for him to get his regular alergy shot on >tues?
Your doctor can advise on the allergy shot and on the bruising – keep the appointment. However I would have used an antihistamine cream, not a steroid cream. Oral antihistamines might have helped as well. Personally I would take a small child stung several times by wasps to the nearest A&E department. — Five Cats
Response:
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