Antibiotic for wasp sting?

Question

A wasp sting I received less than 24 hours ago has caused my hand to swell up like a baseball mitt, with a good deal of pain in the extended swelling region. A 24-hour ready-care doctor told me to keep taking benadryll and gave me an Rx for cephalexin (500mg), an antibiotic.

OK. I'm not a biological genius (I'm actually an environmental engineer), but I know that sting poison works by injecting heavy poisons that your body reacts to. This is not bacteria, so I do not understand why he would give me an antibiotic. There are NO open wounds or sores, so I just can't see how the swelling is a bacterial infection.

Is this guy a quack or what? Shouldn't he have given me some steroid or something to control the swellng?

Answer 1

I am not a doctor, but I am a nurse. It sounds to me like the doctor gave you an antibiotic because your hand may look like you have cellulitis (see the link below).

I also swell up like a balloon wherever I am stung, and stay like that for 8 weeks or more. It's an allergic reaction, no doubt. I have never gone to the doctor for a bee sting, but I do take loads of benadryl (up to 200 mg at a time) to help with the swelling. Another good over the counter drug to use for swelling is ibuprofen (it also helps with the pain).

If you are not comfortable with one doctor's decision, simply go to another.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

My first reaction was to say that the antibiotic is overkill. (It's medically irresponsible to prescribe antibiotics to people who don't actually have infections, because of the problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.) However, I just read that wasps (unlike bees) can pick up germs from sewage or manure.

Oral steroids would be overkill. They are very powerful. You can try an over the counter cream. Benadryl or a similar antihistamine works against any allergic reaction your body has mounted against the wasp venom, and painkillers such as Advil or Aleve can help with the pain.

"Generally if a wasp sting remains hot and inflammed after 8 - 12 hours with no sign of improvement, it's best to get antibiotic treatment.

If a sting does become infected then it's best to stop the topical steroid and take oral antihistamines. Unfortunately, the sedating antihistamines are the ones that work best so driving might then become a problem."
http://eartheasy.com/live_natwasp_control.htm

So your doc-in-a-box was probably right.

Answer 4

I have no clue why the antibiotic, but I would continue w/the benadryll. You may think I'm crazy, but I've read that if you put a penny on the site, it helps take the hurt out. There is something in the copper penny that works. I've read it several times. I haven't had the occasion to try it, but since you do, you have nothing to loose. I would try it & honestly am anxious to see if it does work. They say it should be used on bee stings, wasp stings & stings of that nature. Hey, what the heck, it can't hurt!!! I also would put ice on it too. That would help w/the swelling & also help numb the pain.

Answer 5

I've never heard of a dr. giving antibiotics for a wasp or bee sting either. But he may be taking preventive measures against cellulitis, an infection in the deep tissues of the body. Cellulitis symptoms are very similar to what you describe with your hand. However, the swelling and pain are most likely just your body's reaction to the wasp venom. Go ahead and take the antihistamine (benadryl), and if I were you, I'd probably go ahead and take the cephalexin, too, just to be safe. If your hand is truly swolen as large as you say, and the swelling is extending up your arm, there could very well be complications such as cellulitis.

Answer 6

No, he's not a quack. It is very common for a wasp sting to cause "cellulitis", which is an infection in the deep tissues of your skin. It can become very serious if left untreated. Based on your description, this may be what the doctor was thinking. Benadryl for the allergic reaction your body is having to the wasp poisons and an antibiotic for the treatment of the possible cellulitis. Sounds like he was very observant and aggressive in your treatment!

Answer 7

Well since the stinger went into your skin, it's possible and likely that bacteria could have been introduced to that area. Furthermore, in an allergic reaction, your blood vessels become 'leaky' to allow your immune system components to take care of whatever is causing the reaction. Bacteria and easily passible blood vessel membranes aren't the best. Perhaps he just gave you the antibiotics as a preventative measure, just to be safe.

Sorry about the sting btw, those suck!

Answer 8

I can't see a reason for the antibiotic.

The Benadryll should help with any swelling and reaction to the sting. However your description, "caused my hand to swell up like a baseball mitt" sounds a bit more than the average reaction.

I would have assumed that something Prednisone would have been in order

Answer 9

nYeah i never heard of a DR giving an antibiotic for a wasp sting either usually they wont give antibiotics for much of anything ... due to the high amounts of resistant bacteria circulating around because of them handing out antibiotics for everything in the past

Answer 10

Sounds like a quack to me. I'm no doc but i've never heard anyone taking antibiotics for stings. maybe he gets a commission for peddling certain medications. most people don't question their doc and there would be no harm in taking antibiotics so he figured what the hell.