I got stung by a paper wasp

[unicornduke]

and its on my ankle which is one of the most unhelpful places to be stung. It would have been worse if it was my foot but I've got fields of crops to walk tomorrow and its probably going to be pissy

Its a bit swollen and itchy but overall not bad, just annoying that its swollen and hot. Hopefully it goes down by tomorrow morning before I put on my boots

Comments

[graydon]

Bee and wasp venoms are thermolabile. Lots of heat will probably help if applied quickly. (Before it gets too deep.) Ice does not help; ice often makes it worse.

Glad it's not that bad overall.

[unicornduke]

you know its interesting that the internet recommends ice. I wasn't sure if it was helping, it made it itch less but I think it made it swell more. I never really take anything for stings which is probably why they swell up like that.

Overall its doing much better than yesterday and the swelling is starting to go down. I wasn't sure what it would do since I had to walk fields all day but I wore either sneakers or left that boot really loose and it seems to be better. I'm pretty sure I did the exact same thing last year when I got stung on the hand. oh well.

[graydon]

Better is good!

And "itch less, swell more" is pretty much the expected ice thing, though for some people it's "hurts more", too.

The usual first aid for bee and wasp stings suggests antihistamine; I keep some loratadine in my birding stuff just in case. I find it helps. (The last time I got stung by a paper wasp was the quickest I've ever taken my shirt off; thankfully there was only the one.)