Allergic reaction to a wasp/hornet sting??

Question

I was stung earlier tonight and for the first time in my life (I'm in my 30s) had an allergic reaction. Within 10 minutes, I felt faint, nauseous, almost passed out. I had a family member drive me to the nearest fire station to be checked out by the EMS. They said it was an allergic reaction, albeit not life threatening. I'm still feeling kinda out of it 5 hours later. I was told to take Benadryl and rest, and call if symptoms got worse.

I'm not sure what stung me - it was some type of wasp or hornet (I know it wasn't a bee, as it tried to sting repeatedly and there was no stinger left in the injury). My question is, if you have an allergic reaction to one type of stinging insect, will you have that same reaction to other types? The paramedics told me to be careful, as reactions tend to get worse with repeated stings.

The big problem is I run a farm and spend 90% of my time in a garden working around stinging insects, and worse yet, I keep bees!!! Do I now have to worry about having the same (or worse) reaction to a bee sting? Should I consider selling the beehives?

Answer 1

I don't know about bees personally, but my friend whose 84 says that

all you have to do if you get stung, or even bitten by a spider even a brown recluse, is stop immediately and get white vinegar and pour it on the area. If it's a brown recluse , keep doing it,  and if you do have an allergic reaction as well, then benadryl will solve it . You may need to rest , but she's 84  and her husband worked outside his whole life and she swears by it.  

Answer 2

Wasps, hornets, bumblebees, honeybees, and other species all have venom, yes, but each species venom is a little bit different.  The allergic reaction is to proteins in the venom, and what is present in one type isn't always in another species.  I'm fine being stung by bees, and wasps, but I react terribly when stung by a white faced hornets.  I take benadryl and hope I don't need my epipen.

I would see about getting an epipen, though, to be on the safe side. Next time you see the doctor tell them about your reaction and get a prescription for the epipen and keep it on you when you're out where you might get stung.

My brother is horribly allergic to honeybees and keeps them, too. He just doesn't make them mad, lol.  I wouldn't sell the hives, since you might not be at all allergic to bees at all.

Answer 3

take benedryl and ranitidine for a few days & follow up with your doctor.