Bee stings versus wasp stings

[viridens]

I have posted here before about losing my bee sting immunity after taking NSAID medication (Diclofenac) for arthritis. I now have a normal reaction, with itching/ swelling lasting after 24 hours etc.

Yesterday I received two good wasp stings on my arm & neck while my hands were occupied destroying a nest. I am pleased in one respect but annoyed in another to find that the wasp stings produced no effects other than the initial pain and a raised white area around the sting site for a short time after, much less effect than a bee sting.
Perhaps I should take up wasp keeping.

How do you react to both types of sting?

 

[viridens]

P.S. How DO you correct mistakes in post titles?

 

[terryme]

I think you double click to the right of the thread title, it should become 'live' then for you to correct - I have done it a while ago after fiddling about for a while but I think that was the combo that got me in

 

[Midland Beek]

I think was venom is different from bee venom.

 

[greatbritishhoney]

Haven't been stung by a wasp for years and years, but from what I remember I didn't react too badly.
Lately my bee sting reactions have been pretty bad. Got some stings to the ankles last week and they swelled up like balloons.

 

[Luna]

I can't remember which way they go but one is alkaline and one is acidic.

I got stung by a wasp when I was a kid and I didn't have any real reaction.

I have been stung 4 times by bees. The first time on my face, just under my eye (after removing my veil and a good distance from any hives) and no real reaction. Second time on my thigh (she managed to get her sting through my jeans and leggings) and I had a small whelt. The other 2 times have been on my right hand (I am right handed) on my wrist and index finger and they have blown up like balloons each time and the reaction travelled up my arm and both times involved a course of antibiotics, antihistamines and painkillers.

I am trying to find out if I can get an allergy test (RAST IgE) against bee venom to see if I have a true allergy or if they were just infected.....

 

[Headnavigator]

Extreme and long-lasting itching in reaction to wasp stings (sting on sole of foot lasted several months) and no relief to be found in anything.

Bee stings? Nothing usually! Very faint pink mark, if anything, and one on neck gave me a little soft lump for a day. Mind you, I do take Piriton before handling bees.

Thank goodness I keep bees!

 

[Ely]

Bit of pain from bee stings but no swelling or itchyness. Just got one now to bee honest on my cheek. Wasn't inspecting, just sat watching the hive and one came right for me. I think she came off worse though. Never been stung by a wasp

 

[kathrynat]

When I have been stung by a bee, after twenty four hours the area swells quite badly and then gradually reduces after three to four days. A couple of years ago I was stung on the ankle by a wasp. The area was intensely itchy, then it swelled really badly. The swollen area became covered in very large blisters that burst leaving nasty open looking sores. I then had to have steroids from my doctor to reduce the swelling.

 

[wightbees]

Wasp sting ,i get a little bit itchy for a few hrs.
Bee sting , after the quick shock of being stung i get a sort of shiver feeling upto 30 mins after the sting then nothing.So far been stung on each leg ,right palm of hand and on the face.

 

[richardbees]

Hello Viridens, I remember your original post on this subject as I'm also on nsaid for arthritis.

I always get a pronounced swelling from bee stings but the last time I was stung by a wasp it was just an immediate pain with no after affect.

Bee stings are acidic, in that the venom contains Formic acid (like ants) and wasp stings are basically alkali.

"Witch hazel gel" from Boots is magic to put on a bee sting to alleviate the swelling/itching

 

[viridens]

Richardbees

Thanks for the feedback, and many thanks for the suggestion. I will give the gel a try. Does it need to be applied immediately after being stung, or?