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Bee/Hornet Stings

Maxwell09's picture

So the other day my SS2 was stung by either a wasp or a hornet. DH was there and claims he's not sure what it was but didn't tell me what had happened until I got home from work. I get home and notice that my SS2 looks deformed in the face. DH tells me that his Stepfather put tobacco on the sting and they gave him Benedryll. Everything sounded good so far so I didn't panic. As it gets later the swelling get worse and we keep giving SS2 medicine swapping out motrin and benedryll. Well the next day comes and goes and he's fine but still swollen. This morning he wakes up covered in hives and breathing heavier than normal. I asked DH if he had given SS2 his dose of Benedryll before he put him to bed since I was at the gym for bedtime. He forgot. Of Course.

We take him to the emergency clinic together like usual. We notify BM begrudgingly because we know how she panics and causes more problems and distractions when these things happen. But whatever, its her kid and I understand that I would want to know if it was my own child. What was awkward was that from the moment we crossed the threshold everyone was looking at me to answer questions and throwing paperwork my way to sign. I mean I can answer all the questions because I have been with my SS2 since he was 9 months old but DH was taking the lead. The poor nurse girl kept coming in and trying to get my to answer her questions and I just smile and say "Hun…" with a smile. I bet it was awkward for her poor thing. I must have seen like a huge B-word for not wanting to participate in all their paperwork/computer data entry but my luck is that i would be answering questions and BM would walk in.

In retrospect though, if any of your munchkins gets stung and the swell up just got ahead and take them to Dr. I was told to wait that they would just give us motrin and send us home, but Ive been worried sick about his swelling. The Dr in the ER gave him a shot and in about an hour his face was back to normal. Could have saved myself some stress and grief by just going the first day but guess we known next time.

Orange County Ca's picture

The shot was probably a steroid and that is very fast acting but it's something to avoid if you can and the Motrin right from minute one would be a better idea as long as it works. Live and learn eh?

Did Mama bear show up?

Maxwell09's picture

Momma bear did not show up thank the good Lord. And the Dr. never said he was allergic or if the reaction was worse than normal but in my un-medically inclined mind he seem to be allergic.

Rose.Colored.Glasses's picture

It sounds like he is allergic. I would ask your DH to have him take an allergy test then you know for sure and can be more prepared. From what I've learned, each exposure to an allergen, could cause each reaction to be worse than the one before. I know ppl that have bee/wasp allergies that carry an epi-pen around at all times b/c it could be a matter of life and death.

Orange County Ca's picture

A 2yo has little body mass to cope with a standard wasp sting so it'll effect them more. Of course ask his pediatrician about it on his next visit.

simifan's picture

I'm sensitive to bee/ wasp stings. I get hives and swelling - but never had trouble breathing. The worst was when a wasp crawled in my short pocket while i was swimming & then put them on. I got stung 4 times. Ouch. I needed a steroid to get the swelling down. I would talk to your Dr. & see what he says.