Swelling from a Sting

**sparks19** · 09-18-2007, 11:38 AM

I got stung on Sunday. I didn't get to see what I was actually stung by because I started shaking my hand around like a tool and shouting profanities lol. Anyway I got stung on my pinkie finger and now it is really red, swollen and itchy. I mentioned it to my OB yesterday to see what I was allowed to take for it and he said Benedryl should really help.

Well it's NOT.

the swelling hasn't gone down at all and it is SO SO SO SOOOOOOOOO itchy. I want to scratch it for hours and hours but I know that will only make it worse lol.

There is no stinger in there.... we checked and double and triple checked. What helps this sort of thing?

**Karen** · 09-18-2007, 11:43 AM

Cool compresses - or just stick it in a cup of cold water.
Baking soda and a little water in a paste.

Stubbing your toe so that hurts more than your finger ...

**sparks19** · 09-18-2007, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by Karen

Cool compresses - or just stick it in a cup of cold water.
Baking soda and a little water in a paste.

Stubbing your toe so that hurts more than your finger ...

I have gone through so many ice cubes trying to ice it down and the cold water with ice cubes in it. it really helps take the itch away but not the swelling.

Hmmm baking soda and water. I will try that. Should I cover my whole finger or just where the actual sting is?

It doesn't actually hurt really at all..... other than the skin is quite irritated because it is stretched to it's limit with the swelling so everything feels like sandpaper on it lol.

**sasvermont** · 09-18-2007, 12:35 PM

Have you tried to GOOGLE the question?

I remember, as a child, someone telling me to put mud on a sting. Let it dry. Go figure!

I bet you get lots of suggestions.

**sirrahved** · 09-18-2007, 12:44 PM

make a thick paste of the baking soda/water, and slather it on the central sting area.

**moosmom** · 09-18-2007, 01:08 PM

Mud or meat tenderizer will work. Did you get the stinger out?? If not, take your driver's license or a credit card and gently go over the site with it. That'll get the stinger out without squeezing the venom into the site.

**sparks19** · 09-18-2007, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by sirrahved

make a thick paste of the baking soda/water, and slather it on the central sting area.

Do I wait till it dries before washing it off?

**sparks19** · 09-18-2007, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by sasvermont

Have you tried to GOOGLE the question?

I remember, as a child, someone telling me to put mud on a sting. Let it dry. Go figure!

I bet you get lots of suggestions.

Well I did.... but since I don't know exactly what stung me..... I get a lot of mixed answers lol.

there is no stinger in there so I doubt it was a bee..... don't they leave the stinger behind and then die? I never found a bee laying around and no stinger.

Hubby said that even some caterpillars can sting. I didn't know that. and we were under a tree. maybe it fell into my hand and I squeezed it and it stung me. it's a long shot though lol.

I have been stung by hornets and wasps and bees before and never had a reaction like this. so I REALLY have no idea what the sting is from.

**Sevaede** · 09-18-2007, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by sparks19

Well I did.... but since I don't know exactly what stung me..... I get a lot of mixed answers lol.

there is no stinger in there so I doubt it was a bee..... don't they leave the stinger behind and then die? I never found a bee laying around and no stinger.

Hubby said that even some caterpillars can sting. I didn't know that. and we were under a tree. maybe it fell into my hand and I squeezed it and it stung me. it's a long shot though lol.

I have been stung by hornets and wasps and bees before and never had a reaction like this. so I REALLY have no idea what the sting is from.

There is a specific type of bee that drops it stinger and dies. The rest can sting several times in a row and still keep their stinger (my brother knows from experience.