Stings and antihistamines

[Mo]

OH and I tend to go on the principle 'take no medicine, the body has its own ways of coping'

But since the time swelled as far as my knee after a wasp sting on my foot (and felt ill with it), I carry an antihistamine and have found them very effective.

Last week OH was lunching in the garden and was stung inside his cheek. He has never been particularly bothered by wasp stings before (just the usual pain and local reaction), but this time he was very dizzy and ill, rashes all over the body (starting on his feet!) and looked as if he had one-sided mumps.
He absolutely refused an antihistamine, but now he is going out fruit picking and has put one out ready, just in case.

But he is asking questions I don't know the answer to.
How do they work
what are the side effects
what is the swelling made of when you get stung.

Any ideas?

[rhubarb93]

The swelling is due to histamine release, which is the body's natural response to an allergen.
Anti-histamine neutralises it.
Older antihitamines cause drowsiness (hence "don't drive or operate machinery" warning)
Newer ones generally don't, but may not be a effective.
Once your body has started to over-react to a stimulus, it may well be worse the next time. He should DEFINITELY take antihistamine with him. Better safe than sorry.
If he gets a very bad reaction he may even need to go to hospital (eg if he can't breathe easily) Some people need an Epipen (adrenaline injection)

[AL37]

This may be of interest Mo.
http://tipnut.com/wasp-stings/
One thing I do know is if the stinger is left in your skin from a bee sting then be careful how you remove it. If you look closely there is a little sack full of venom on the end of it, if you squeeze this when trying to remove it then you actualy empty all the remaing venom into yourself making the sting worse.

[Benny&Co]

Phew that sounded a nasty reaction for MrMo.

I think with anti histamines it's a matter of finding one that works for you, as what is good for one person maybe different for another. Certirizine works for me and I don't buy any of the branded ones, just a generic one from Sasda's which works out much much cheaper.

As for keeping bugs at bay, I can thoroughly recommend the products from Incognito - the repellent spray is the best I've ever used and the zapper thing is great if you do get caught out.

https://www.lessmosquito.com//online_shop_s/1830.htm

[Mo]

This may be of interest Mo.
http://tipnut.com/wasp-stings/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
One thing I do know is if the stinger is left in your skin from a bee sting then be careful how you remove it. If you look closely there is a little sack full of venom on the end of it, if you squeeze this when trying to remove it then you actualy empty all the remaing venom into yourself making the sting worse.

Interesting link Al.
Yes I know all about bee stings. I used to keep a few hives till the time I got lots of them inside my veil - that may have been what triggered my allergy.

The other thing I know is that bee stings are acid, wasp stings alkali so use Vinegar for vasps, B aking soda for Bs.