A wasp stung my big toe about 36 hours ago. My foot is pretty swollen and it itches. I put some ice on it last night and it helped a little.
How can I get the swelling down? What should I be concerned about? Can this cause an infection? If so what should I look for? Any help appreciated...
Please don't say "Go to the doctor/ER immediately!"
1. I don't have insurance and I'm not paying hundreds of dollars, and.
2. I'm not a *****.
2006-07-24 04:29:04 · 9 answers · asked by gravvyboat 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
Hi, I'm an R.N. and I think I can help.
Firstly, as long as you're not running a fever, having trouble breathing, or have swelling up your leg...you can probably treat this at home.
1. For itching/swelling: take Benadryl orally, 25 mg every 4-6 hours AROUND THE CLOCK until the swelling goes away and for 24 hours after the swelling goes away (to prevent it from coming back) should do the trick. But if you've never taken Benadryl before, you need to check with a doctor first. Benadryl can make you drowzy, so be aware, and careful.
2. Mix together baking soda and water to form a paste and smear in where you got stung. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes. This will help soothe the sting site. You can do this several times a day.
3. Ice pack your foot for 20 minutes at a time with a couple of hours off, then repeat several times a day. You can use ice and do the baking soda paste at the same time.
4. Elevate your foot as much as possible, this will help with the swelling too.
5. See a doctor if any of the following occurs:
a) red streaking that goes up your leg
b) fever over 101
c) you have trouble breathing or swallowing
d) pus draining from sting site
e) swelling that extends beyond your calf
f) if your foot turns purplish
g) if your symptoms don't improve in the next 3-5 days.
2006-07-24 04:39:01 · answer #1 · answered by rhubarb3142 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/aweoo
Try a paste of baking soda and water and leave it on the sting for a while. If you have no relief within 48 hours or if it get worse call your Dr. It is also a possibility that the stinger is still in there and you just cannot see it. That could explain the reaction when something rubs on it. Try icing the toe also once the swelling goes down it will be easier to see if the stinger is in there. You may also be having a localized allergic reaction which since you are still having it after six days also makes me think that perhaps the stinger is still in there. Good luck and I hope I have helped you.
2016-04-04 03:18:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Swelling From Wasp Sting
2016-10-06 07:08:22 · answer #3 · answered by wyss 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might try making a paste out of baking soda, this wont make the swelling go away but if the stinger is still in your foot it would draw it out and keep the swelling from getting worse. As for concerns your past the danger zone if you had any allergies it would already be evident, in which case it would have caused anafelectic <- sp? shock at which point you would have to bite the bullet and go to the ER for an adrenaline injection
2006-07-24 04:38:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom use to always soak the effect part in epsom salt and hot water to draw out the "poision" as far as infection it will start in the part where the sting actually hit. watch for green puss and red streaks (dark red) running away from the bite site. IF there is a small area where a scab has formed over the bite peel it away just before you use the epsom salt (buy it at any store) soak. Soak about 10 or 15 minutes. It may take about a couple of soaks over a few days to see a differance. But if it does start to show infection you will have to go to the Dr. or hospital.
2006-07-24 04:36:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make a paste with water and baking soda, put all over the swollen area. The itching and swelling will go away if you keep doing this process.
2016-03-16 04:22:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make a paste from baking soda (not powder) and water and put it on there kind of thick then a cool/cold wash cloth. That's what I do and it always seems to help take some of the swelling out.
2006-07-24 04:34:22 · answer #7 · answered by PaganPoetess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wet Tobacco and Bendryl and Caladryl, Soak foot in Baking Soda. And get that stinger out.
2006-07-24 11:11:38 · answer #8 · answered by Ka'De 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in addition to the baking soda paste answer, keep your foot elevated, it will help alot. Neosporin will help keep infection away. You are on the right track with the ice.
2006-07-24 04:57:36 · answer #9 · answered by Prickly P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Huh, I just read something like this in the last nights paper: The poison is a protein, so dab the area with a meat tenderizer as it will kill the protein.
As for the swelling, I dunno. Might be too late for ice.
2006-07-24 04:35:38 · answer #10 · answered by Sick Puppy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋