I want to avoid the co-pay to see my family doctor, (I'm tight on money) and since he has already given me samples of the drug in the past..
2006-08-21 05:48:26 · 9 answers · asked by audreyb 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ First Aid
Yes, a little bit. I assume, since it's been a week, you're not particularly allergic to bee stings for now. Zyrtec is primarily used as an antihistamine.
You'd do better to use generic benadryl ..but in a pinch, zyrtec would do fine. Use like.. one tablet of tylenol or advil to reduce the swelling. If it's really bothering you, also soak it in warm salt water (pretty heavily salted).. it'll pull some of the swelling off.
good luck-
edit: As long as you limit yourself to one tablet of zyrtec a day, you have nothing to worry about with regards to overdose. (Your health probably won't be affected by taking more, but there's no reason to, really.) In any case, since Benadryl types are more ..broad-spectrum in nature than zyrtec and clarinex and all that, it's a better option.
2006-08-21 05:58:39 · answer #1 · answered by winterbourne_nova 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
zyrtec will help with the swelling but only temporarily...
it sounds like you've had an allergic reaction the the sting and you'll need antibiotics to treat it and unfortunately you can only get those from your doc...
swelling from a bee sting usually stops 48-72 hours afterwards.
you can also take oral benadryl until you can get in to see the dr. take 1-2 of the 25mg tablets every 6 hours but no more than 4 doses in 24 hours. these will make you very sleepy so only take them if you are planning on staying home.
ibuprofen will help with pain and swelling. take 200-400mg every 6 hours as needed but no more than 1200mg in 24 hours
if the allergic reaction goes untreated, it could lead to an infection in your hand. the infection could also spread into your bloodstream and travel through your body rapidly-at this point i.v antibiotics will be needed....
2006-08-21 20:22:35 · answer #2 · answered by prncessang228 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. My daughter was stung by a wasp and developed hives from head to toe. Benedryl was working, but only temporarily, so they gave her Zyrtec. She was on it for 1 week and stopped. The hives returned, so we ended up keeping her on it for a month. She was fine. Zyrtec is a histamine blocker, so it shoudl help with the swelling. If it doesn't within 24 hours, see your doctor. Good luck.
2006-08-21 13:16:22 · answer #3 · answered by Carrie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i Would also suggest you see your doctor as it sounds as tho you are infected - after a week I would expect more wide spread allergic reaction if anything. Still wouldnt do ant harm to take some and keep it elevated!
2006-08-21 10:46:48 · answer #4 · answered by Jane H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try APIS-30 or APIS-200 for around 3 days - 3 doses per day. Morning / Noon / Night. FYI its a homeopathy drug. I suppose not expensive. You can safely use this drug as its of low potency.
2006-08-21 06:14:10 · answer #5 · answered by spice 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if the swelling has lasted that long you have an infection seek a doctor, now.for antibiotics,and benidryl
2006-08-21 07:27:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to a doctor if it has benn swollen for that long, you could be allergic
2006-08-21 06:04:46 · answer #7 · answered by Stacey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any anti-histamine should help. Ask your pharmacist what would be stongest over-the-counter med you could buy.
2006-08-21 05:57:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
MEMORY TSICT
2006-08-21 05:54:11 · answer #9 · answered by lixion 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋